Emirates College for Advanced Education Convenes Fourth Education First Forum
The prestigious gathering brought together 500 education leaders, policymakers and families to advance an integrated, learner-centred vision for the UAE's education ecosystem.
The Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) has concluded its fourth Education First Forum at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to a cohesive and comprehensive approach to educational development. Under the theme From Impact to Ecosystem, the gathering assembled approximately 500 participants representing decision-makers, policymakers, educators, researchers, students, parents and community representatives.
The forum championed a participatory model that positions learners at the heart of the education ecosystem, fostering dialogue grounded in reflection, partnership and shared responsibility. The initiative aligned purposefully with both the UAE Year of Family and World Teachers’ Day, celebrated on 5 October, demonstrating the nation’s integrated approach to educational advancement and family engagement.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education and Chair of the Board of Trustees of ECAE, emphasised the forum’s significance as a national milestone. She highlighted how the gathering enables stakeholders to collectively shape an education ecosystem aligned with the leadership’s vision, whilst adopting an ecosystem mindset that harnesses innovation, artificial intelligence and human capital to build a knowledge-based economy.
Dr May Laith Al Taee, ECAE’s Vice Chancellor, described the forum as a strategic platform for translating educational impact into sustainable institutional transformation. The 2026 edition reinforced the concept of an integrated ecosystem through evidence-based dialogue, immersive experiences and high-quality partnerships.
A principal highlight involved a panel discussion titled The Rhythm of Harmony: Aligning Home, Education, and Community for the Child, which brought together representatives from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the Department of Community Development, education leaders, the Abu Dhabi Youth Council and student representatives. The discussion explored how strengthened alignment between families, educational institutions and communities can support children’s development and inform policies grounded in their needs.
The forum featured an immersive interactive journey organised around interconnected rhythms: the Rhythm of Home, Guidance, Belonging, Direction and Harmony. This innovative approach demonstrated how families, educators, policymakers and communities play complementary roles in supporting learners’ holistic development.
A significant milestone was the launch of NAMA’A, a family research-led initiative that brings families, educators and communities together to support learning, wellbeing and growth. This programme will strengthen family engagement, nurture wellbeing and create opportunities for intergenerational learning throughout the Year of Family and beyond.
The forum also recognised 96 graduates of ECAE’s Continuing Education Center’s Comprehensive Capacity Building for Educational Leadership programme, celebrating the professional development of education leaders across the nation.
Source: WAM