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As the UAE commemorates its National Day this December, the country reflects on an extraordinary journey. What began as a cluster of small but ambitious communities has grown into a global centre of progress and prosperity. Many forces have shaped this journey, but one constant stands out across generations: education.

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father, understood this from the beginning. “A country’s greatest investment lies in building generations of educated and knowledgeable youth,” he declared. To me, that was a blueprint. And it continues to guide everything we do.

Education as a Driver of National Progress

In the UAE’s early years, schools and universities were engines of possibility, equipping people tools to build a modern economy and diversified society. And though the methods have evolved dramatically since then, the mission has not.

The National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 expands access to quality education while preparing graduates for a global economy that looks nothing like the one we knew even a decade ago. The recent introduction of AI-focused curricula across UAE schools goes beyond just teaching students about AI — it prepares them to shape an industry that is just getting started. The UAE became the first country in the world to take such a bold step, with only a handful following suit, further cementing the nation’s position as a frontrunner in advanced education.

Over my time in this country, I have learned that schools themselves must build a long-term legacy by clearly understanding their operating model and maintaining strong roots in the community. The most impactful institutions engage authentically rather than function as just another school business. Competitively, schools need to operate as full ecosystems, serving people, focussing on future readiness, integrating AI, wellbeing, sports, academics, arts, and technology partnerships, developed in collaboration with parents and industry. This holistic approach enables students to excel academically and in real-world skills, supporting their university choices and preparing them for future careers — whatever they may be. The UAE is a global crossroads where families from every corner of the world choose to build their futures. In a country this dynamic, understanding the pulse of the community is the foundation of meaningful education.

Success here means investing in the people who call the UAE home – building an ecosystem that gives back, creates opportunity, and helps every child thrive. That takes years of commitment, experience, and a genuine passion for education – not merely an educational business model.

Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education.

The Role of Family in Educational Success

As we mark 2026 as the ‘Year of the Family’, we are recognising something fundamental: families are the first spaces where curiosity, values, and resilience are formed — these are formed at home before a child ever enters a classroom.

Our national initiatives reflect this. Programmes supporting students of determination, scholarships opening doors for talented students from all backgrounds, and frameworks that encourage active parent involvement all demonstrate how families and education systems come together to nurture confident and capable young people.

Education also strengthens familial bonds by creating groundwork for intergenerational learning. It allows traditions and values to be preserved while new ideas and global perspectives are welcomed. This balance allows the UAE to stride confidently into the future without losing sight of its cultural identity.

Education as a Bridge to Global Impact

The UAE’s investment in education has ripple effects far beyond its borders. By building world-class schools, championing global exchange programmes, hosting leading universities, and creating a knowledge economy that attracts global talent, the UAE has cemented its status as a global influencer in education.

Our graduates excel in engineering, technology, and medicine. But they also lead with empathy, creativity, and cultural intelligence – capabilities that often matter more than technical knowledge. These are the people who will solve problems we have not yet imagined.

Yes, the UAE’s technological advancements are remarkable. But the real measure of progress isn’t the skyscrapers or fame — it is the intellect, creativity, and character of its people.

Education has long been the engine of the UAE’s transformation. As we celebrate National Day, today’s leadership continues to advance this commitment, ensuring the nation remains firmly on its path of progress.

The continued investment in education — from early childhood through higher education, from STEAM fields to arts and humanities — reflects both the foresight of our leaders and the ambition of our people. This commitment ensures that every student, every family, every aspiration has room to grow. That is not just a promise – it is how nations are built.

Education has shaped the UAE’s past. It is shaping its present. And it will remain the foundation of everything we build next.

The writer is a Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education.