Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority Unveils Emirati Sana’ Programme to Cultivate National Identity Among Students and Educators

A landmark educational initiative launched through collaborative institutional effort seeks to deepen students' and teachers' connection to Emirati heritage, values and cultural traditions through immersive community engagement.

The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has inaugurated the Emirati Sana’ programme, a transformative educational initiative conceived in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Majalis under the Citizens and Community Affairs Office at the Presidential Court. This collaborative endeavour represents a substantial commitment to strengthening national identity and Emirati values amongst the student and educator communities, whilst simultaneously enriching the educational experience through profound engagement with heritage, culture and community.

Programme Scope and Implementation

The first phase of the programme is being delivered across community majalis in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, continuing until 18 November 2026. The initiative encompasses both Arabic-speaking and non-Arabic-speaking teachers, alongside male and female students in Cycles 2 and 3, ensuring inclusive participation across the emirate’s educational landscape.

The programme emerged as a significant outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority during the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2026. This partnership framework establishes a robust structure for cooperation in the fields of education and Emirati heritage, enabling both institutions to leverage their distinctive expertise and resources in developing heritage initiatives within educational environments.

Areas of Collaborative Focus

Cooperative efforts encompass training of educational staff, capacity building, talent development amongst students, knowledge sharing and awareness raising regarding heritage. The programme also organises heritage and cultural activities and events, all designed to foster a robust sense of national identity and Emirati values whilst grounding students firmly in their cultural legacy.

Dual Training Tracks

The Emirati Sana’ initiative introduces participants to Sana’ as a comprehensive system of authentic Emirati values and behaviours, with emphasis upon translating these principles into everyday practice. The programme comprises two distinct training tracks.

The first track serves educators through training sessions conducted in both Arabic and English at community majalis throughout Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. This track strengthens teachers’ roles as exemplars and ambassadors of national identity and values, developing their capacity to apply Sana’ principles in classroom management and in cultivating positive relationships with students, colleagues, school leadership and parents.

The second track addresses students through educational sessions exploring majlis etiquette, Arabic coffee traditions and national values. These sessions introduce young learners to the proper conduct of greeting and welcoming others, demonstrating respect for elders, practising cooperation and attentive listening, thereby enabling them to translate these principles into practical behaviours within their daily lives.

Institutional Vision

His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Undersecretary of the Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi, remarked: “Strengthening national identity and Emirati values is a fundamental pillar of our students’ educational journey. We work to instill these values through experiences that root them in their culture and national heritage, making heritage a living part of their experience both inside and outside the school. The Emirati Sana programme equips both students and teachers to translate these principles into everyday practice, shaping a self-assured generation that takes pride in its roots and carries these values forward into the future.”

His Excellency Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, observed: “The Emirati Sana programme marks an important step towards integrating our values and social heritage into school life and translating them from theoretical knowledge into everyday ethical habits. Through the programme, we seek to empower teachers to fulfil their role as ambassadors of national identity and values. Teachers serve as role models for their students, and their conduct and interactions play an important role in shaping students’ character and instilling values of respect, responsibility, generosity and good manners, while also introducing them to authentic aspects of their heritage and national culture through a contemporary, interactive approach. Our partnership demonstrates the importance of coordinated institutional efforts to preserve Emirati heritage, pass it on to younger generations and strengthen its presence across all aspects of life, particularly in schools. We believe that instilling the values of Sana’ most notably respect, tolerance, responsibility, and good manners helps build well-rounded individuals who are conscious of their identity and embody these values in their daily interactions, both inside the school and beyond.”

Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office