Amid global challenges and the growing role of youth in shaping the future of the global community, President of the United Arab Emirates His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the establishment of the Zayed Education Foundation, an educational foundation designed to support a new generation of leaders. According to WAM, the initiative aims to reach 100,000 young talents by 2035 who can transform societies through education, research and innovation.
The foundation was established in the Year of the Community – symbolically, in the spirit of the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, who consistently emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the promotion of education. The Zayed Education Foundation will become a global platform for developing youth potential, underlining the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development not only in the region but also on a global scale.
Investing in research, scholarships and innovation
The foundation’s central initiative will be the Zayed Scholars program, a scholarship platform that will support talented students based on their academic achievements and leadership qualities. The program combines university education with specialized leadership training, focusing on the formation of holistic, responsible and strategically thinking future leaders.
In addition to educational grants, the foundation will invest in scientific research and innovative solutions that can have a real impact on society. This includes targeted funding, partnerships with universities, research centers and civil society organizations. Initially, the initiatives will be implemented in the UAE, with a gradual expansion to Arab countries and countries of the Global South, which will allow for the involvement of a wide network of educational and government institutions.
A platform for the next generation of innovators
In his address on the occasion of the foundation’s establishment, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that the Zayed Education Foundation is designed to realize Sheikh Zayed’s vision of creating a more inclusive, peaceful and progressive world. According to the President, solving today’s global challenges requires combining innovative technologies with humanistic approaches, and the UAE stands ready to provide a platform that will allow young people to realize their ideas and influence the world.
Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Court for National Projects, added: “The UAE has always been a magnet for people with ambition. Today, through the Zayed Education Foundation, we are expanding these opportunities to the international level, calling on young leaders from around the world to join us in shaping a more sustainable, just and prosperous future.” The new structure will become a bridge for intercultural dialogue, scientific interaction, and practical transformation, uniting young people around a common goal — to make the world a better place.