ECAE convocation sets direction for 2027–2031 education strategy
At the Emirates College for Advanced Education’s Annual Academic Convocation in Abu Dhabi, Minister Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri and ECAE leaders outlined priorities for a strategy that will prepare educators and learners for an AI‑rich future.
The Next Chapter: Designing Tomorrow. Together.
The Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) convened its Annual Academic Convocation 2026–2027 in Abu Dhabi under the theme, “The Next Chapter: Designing Tomorrow. Together.” The event brought together the College’s leadership, faculty and administrative staff to mark the start of a strategic cycle that will shape ECAE’s work from 2027 to 2031.
In the presence of Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education and Chairwoman of ECAE’s Board of Trustees, speakers emphasised the College’s role as a national partner in strengthening a self‑improving learning ecosystem that places learners and the quality of outcomes at its centre. ECAE’s leadership said the forthcoming strategy will be informed by a study of future needs across the education ecosystem, the teaching profession’s challenges and opportunities, rapid technological change and evolving learner requirements.
Officials signalled an explicit focus on preparing the system for the pervasive arrival of artificial intelligence in learning, life and work while preserving the central role of teachers in developing thinking, values and decision‑making. The Minister underlined ECAE’s part in empowering education professionals and enhancing readiness for the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies.
Dr. May Laith Al Taee, ECAE’s Vice Chancellor, framed the College’s vision as an investment in people, reflecting national leadership’s emphasis that children are ‘‘our true wealth’’. She told the convocation that ECAE’s remit extends beyond training to empowering educators to spark curiosity, instil identity and equip learners to face the future as responsible and confident citizens. She reiterated that advancing education requires a coordinated ecosystem of schools, universities, families, communities, policymakers and partners.
Alongside the convocation, ECAE opened an “ECAE Impact” exhibition showcasing the College’s contribution to a learning ecosystem that continuously evaluates and improves itself. The exhibition highlighted six interconnected capabilities: aligning stakeholders around shared direction; developing educators’ professional capabilities; building collective capacity; strengthening adaptability and innovation; embedding research‑ and evidence‑based learning; and enabling the system to learn from experience.
The exhibition also set out recent milestones: 12,000+ educators developed, 5,000+ graduates prepared, partnerships with 200+ schools and organisations, 70+ research and evaluation projects, 30+ international partnerships and 15+ AI and innovation initiatives. Over the past year 500+ new students joined ECAE across its Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Ajman campuses, with continued growth in the Arabic Language and Islamic Studies tracks to bolster national teaching capacity.
Source: WAM