February 28 will be celebrated as the Emirati Day for Education, President Sheikh Mohamed announced in a post on X.
On this day in 1982, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, witnessed the graduation of the first batch of teachers from UAE University, “marking a historic step” in the country’s journey of development and growth, the President added.
He stressed that this day would honour all those working in the field of education, and recognise their essential role in UAE’s progress.
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The President also emphasised that since its founding, the UAE has recognised the vital importance of education, placing it at the heart of its development plans, and regarding it as a driving force behind the nation’s progress and cultural advancement.
UAE University was established in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed, making it the oldest university in the UAE and a flagship academic institution for the nation. The founding father was a firm believer in the power of education, and stressed that “our country’s future will be built upon our youth.”
The leaders of UAE constantly strive to develop education in the country, and strengthen its progress at a global level. Recently, the launch of Dubai National University, with an initial Dh4.5-billion investment, was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The goal would be for the new university to “be among the top 50 young universities over the next decade,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Universities in UAE are no stranger to being in the global rankings. In 2023, UAEU Emirates ranked 1st in UAE, 2nd in GCC, and 38th globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings.
Most recently, the American University of Sharjah (AUS) placed among top 22 per cent of ranked institutions worldwide in the QS World Rankings 2025 and among top three universities in the UAE. The American University of Ras Al Khaimah also made it to the Top 500 Universities list in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, bagging the 485th position.
UAE leaders often personally motivate the youth of the country, sending recorded voice messages and rewarding school toppers. As the 2024 academic year began, President Sheikh Mohamed’s voice message was broadcast in schools across the UAE.
He congratulated students, teachers, and all those working in the education sector, and reminded students to use tools such as technology responsibly, and “make the most of the opportunities they provide.”
Earlier, the UAE’s Vice-President awarded school toppers for the 2023-24 academic year with thousands of dirhams in cash and the inspirational message engraved on the box: ‘We are proud of you and we bet on you.’
(With inputs from WAM)