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UAE Ministry of Education Announces Full Readiness for 2024- 2025 Academic Year

Launched the Back-to-School national campaign
under the theme ‘From Student to Leader’
 Adjusted the evaluation weightings for students
in Cycles 2 and 3 to 40% formative assessment
and 60% central assessment
 25 schools opened to raise capacity of public
schools
 Printed more than10,000,000 copies of textbooks
 3.7 million books have been converted into digital
formats, and 10 million copies of printed books
have been produced
 34.000 laptop computers will be distributed to fifth
and ninth-grade students.
 More than 5,000 school buses ready

Sarah Al Amiri:
 The Ministry has developed comprehensive plans to
enhance the school environment, upskill educators
and improve infrastructure
 We will continue to focus on empowering teachers
and educational leaders while prioritising student
quality of life, with the aim of elevating the UAE’s
education sector
Mohammed Al Qasim:
 A special committee was established in January to
oversee all operations for the academic year
 Over 23,000 educators targeted in ‘Specialized
Training Week’ to ensure their readiness for the new
academic year

United Arab Emirates, 20 August 2024: The UAE
Ministry of Education (MoE) has confirmed its
comprehensive preparedness for the 2024-2025 academic
year, reaffirming that public schools are ready to welcome
students back on Monday, August 26, 2024 as a result of
the concerted efforts of all teams at the MoE, that worked

diligently to ensure an ideal and seamless start to the new
academic year.
The announcement was made in a press briefing
organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the UAE
Government Media Office, with the attendance of Her
Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education; His
Excellency Eng. Mohammed Al Qasim, Undersecretary of
the MoE; His Excellency Sulaiman Al Kaabi, Executive
Director of the Students’ Wellbeing Sector; and His
Excellency Dr. Omar Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director
of the Corporate Services Sector, along with
representatives from local media.
During the briefing, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri
emphasised that the MoE put proactive plans in place
prior to the conclusion of the previous academic year.
These comprehensive plans, developed in close
collaboration with relevant entities, were designed to
ensure all preparations were completed well in advance of
the new academic year and focused on enhancing the
school environment, upskilling educators, and improving
infrastructure and support services.
In her address, Her Excellency also announced the
introduction of comprehensive updates to student
assessment policies across all educational levels. These
evidence-based policy updates are grounded in best
practice, and intended to enhance the quality of

educational outcomes, in line with the UAE leadership’s
aspirations. The updates include the assessment policy for
the weightings of the three terms, and the percentages for
formative and central assessments, among other changes.
During the briefing, Her Excellency explained the details of
the weightings for the next academic year, noting that they
will help in develop students’ academic journeys. The
evaluation weightings for students in Cycles 2 and 3 have
been modified as follows: 35% for the first term –since it is
the longest academic term; 30% for the second term; and
35% for the third term. She noted that the weightings have
been adjusted in accordance with the number of school
days and expected outcomes for each term, ensuring a
more balanced and indicative evaluation process for
students.
Her Excellency Al Amiri also mentioned that for students in
Cycles 2 and 3, the Ministry of Education has modified the
percentage of the formative assessment to 40%, while
setting the percentage for the central assessment
conducted at the end of each terms to 60%. These
updates in assessment weightings are based on an
analysis of student results, which revealed the importance
of continuous assessment and measurement of academic
and skill-development outcomes throughout the year,
rather than relying solely on end-of-term central exams.

Her Excellency also explained that the central exam for
Cycle 2 students in the second term has been replaced
with a project-based assessment that focuses on skill
measurement, and helps students put theoretical
knowledge into practice, further enriching their learning
outcomes.
Her Excellency Al Amiri also announced the Ministry has
launched the national back-to-school campaign, titled
‘From Student to Leader.’ This campaign is designed to
foster community-wide involvement in supporting students
and contributing to the development of future leaders. The
campaign focuses on four key pillars: the educational
system, teachers, parents, and students.
His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Al Qasim noted that a
special committee was established in January to oversee
all operations related to the new academic year. A
dedicated team of engineers and specialists supervised
school maintenance operations to ensure the highest
standards of readiness, thus providing a safe and healthy
environment for students and educators. Additionally, 25
schools have been opened, including 12 new schools and
13 reopening after comprehensive maintenance.
He further highlighted that the Ministry’s teams have
successfully completed maintenance operations for 311
schools including buildings, facility upgrades, and quality
control of infrastructure across all public schools. Support

services included the printing of approximately 10 million
textbooks and the conversion of 3,706,000 books have
been converted into digital formats, and 10 million copies
of printed books have been produced – in line with the
Ministry’s efforts to support digital resources in schools.
Additionally, 34,000 laptops will be allocated to students in
Grade 5 and 9.
In collaboration with service providers, the Ministry
conducted thorough maintenance for all school busses
ensuring their adherence to the highest safety standards,
with over 5,000 school buses made available this year.
Furthermore, school transportation routes were optimised
to ensure a smooth and comfortable daily commute for
students.
Student Wellbeing
With a focus on student wellbeing, the MoE is conducting
the largest field survey in the educational sector to date,
with the aim of establishing a strategic framework for
improving student wellbeing. Additionally, a
comprehensive roster of curricular and extracurricular
programmes and activities is being designed, with the
activation of over 30 projects in the upcoming academic
year to boost students, cognitive, cultural and social skills.
The roster will also include a number of programmes and
initiatives designed to create a supportive educational
environment for talented students.

It was also announced that, due to the significant positive
impact of the Freejna School project following its launch
last May, the project will be expanded to include more
schools. Additionally, agreements will be signed with
specialised local partners to further develop the
programme to encompass more sports, scientific and
cultural activities.

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Education

CIBSE Week 2024 to celebrate sustainability and excellence in building services engineering

CIBSE said it will be conducting CIBSE Week 2024, a series of events focusing on building services engineering, from October 28 to November 1 in Dubai. CIBSE’s President, Fiona Cousins, and CIBSE’s CEO, Ruth Carter, will be taking a leading role in the planned extensive series of discussions, focusing on climate resilience and progressive strategies for improving building performance. Cousins and Carter will be visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia to participate in key activities that further the cause of building services engineering in the region. The event’s highlights will include conferences that bring together industry stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to retrofitting and climate resilience. Cousins and Carter will engage in strategic collaborations with prominent universities, fostering academic and practical
advancements in sustainable building practices. Additionally, their visit will include high-level
roundtable discussions with leading figures in the industry, aimed at addressing issues related
to climate resilience and sustainable building solutions. The itinerary also includes tours of
some of the region’s most exciting projects, providing an insight into the latest advancements
in building technology.
CIBSE Week will also feature the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with major industry partners. The agreements are set to reinforce CIBSE’s commitment to advancing sustainable building practices and driving progress in the GCC region. The event will also feature the 6 th Edition of the CIBSE Awards, which has a mandate to recognise exceptional performance in building services, spread over 29 competitive categories. With over 300 attendees expected – including major consultants, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers – the CIBSE Awards will feature marquee participation of Cousins and Carter, making it an unparalleled platform for networking and celebrating industry milestones.
“We are thrilled to provide a platform that not only honours excellence but also fosters sustainable practices and innovative solutions within building services engineering,” said Imran Shaikh, CIBSE UAE Chapter. “The 2024 CIBSE Week and its Awards aim to highlight the outstanding progress in the field, supporting the goals set for COP 28.

“We invite you to join us during this exciting week as we celebrate excellence, innovation and
sustainability in the building service industry.”

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Education

An immersive experience of new career paths awaits Emirati youth at Tawdheef x Zaheb 2024

The eagerly awaited 2024 edition of Tawdheef x Zaheb, the UAE’s premier Emiratisation event,
will be held at ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, from November 19 th to 21 st .
Among the many offerings at Tawdheef x Zaheb are career counselling services, mock interview
sessions, and guided tours of the exhibition floor. Key highlights include exclusive skill-building
workshops led by industry experts, motivational speaker sessions featuring successful leaders,
and a Keynote Circle that will tackle crucial regulatory and policy matters shaping the future of
employment in the UAE.
One of the most anticipated features is the Speedy Knowledge Hub, where participants can
engage in 20-minute sessions to rapidly upgrade and get certified in a range of career
enhancement skills. Topics include crafting standout CVs and cover letters, leveraging AI tools,
job search techniques, mastering interviews, understanding recruiter preferences, and social
media networking. Attendees can also capture professional headshots and participate in contests
designed to provide both insights and a chance to win exciting prizes.
With the number of participating companies, organisations, and job opportunities increasing each
year, Tawdheef x Zaheb continues to grow in both scale and prestige. The 2024 edition of the
event has received notable support from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
underscoring its role as a strategic partner for the UAE government’s ambitious Emiratisation
programme.
The event emphasises practical skill development and insider advice, making it particularly
appealing to younger visitors. Sessions like The Art of Effective Job Hunting, and Ace the
Audition will provide essential strategies for career success. A standout session, Future Trends in
the Job Market, will explore the latest careers-related digital tools, helping attendees stay ahead
in an dynamic employment landscape. Tawdheef x Zaheb will also feature panel discussions on
vital topics such educational excellence, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and the
challenges related to Emiratisation efforts.
As Fadi Harb, Event Manager of Informa Middle East, highlights, Tawdheef x Zaheb is designed
to offer much more than a conventional career fair. It aims to provide crucial insights into exciting career paths while facilitating essential discussions on the UAE as a hub for emerging and innovative industries.

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Education

AlephYa Education Welcomes Majority Investment from TA

AlephYa Education (“AlephYa” or “Company”), a leading pan-GCC education provider, today announced a majority
investment from TA Associates (“TA”), a leading global private equity firm, to support its next
phase of growth. As part of the transaction, existing investors Gulf Investment Corporation
(“GIC”) and Oman International Development and Investment Company SAOG (“Ominvest”)
will retain a meaningful stake in the business, partnering closely with TA. Ashmore Investment
Saudi Arabia (“Ashmore”), an investor in AlephYa since 2017, will fully exit its investment in
the Company.
Founded in 2017, AlephYa has become a fast-expanding school platform committed to providing
high-quality, affordable education to local and expat families across the Middle East. The
Company’s network of schools offers a mix of American, British and local curricula designed to
empower students with the skills to become future leaders while retaining their national heritage.
Today, AlephYa owns and operates 13 schools across Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, with a
combined enrollment of over 18,500 students.
“Since AlephYa’s founding only seven years ago, the Company has established a strong,
diversified platform driven by an impressive track record of M&A and operational excellence.
As experienced investors in the education space, we see great potential for AlephYa’s continued
expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions,” said Dhiraj Poddar, Managing
Director at TA. “We are thrilled to partner with the AlephYa team to achieve further scale and
bring high-quality, affordable education to more communities across the GCC,” added Vishal
Gupta, Director at TA.
“TA shares our commitment to academic excellence, and their investment provides a major
opportunity to enhance our educational infrastructure, improve our facilities and increase our
impact on new and existing students,” said Shailesh Doshi, CEO and Co-Founder of AlephYa.
“We are excited to welcome TA as an investor and look forward to leveraging their deep
expertise in scaling companies to reach our full potential,” added Nadeem Masud and Chandra
Tiwari, Co-Founders of AlephYa.
“Since investing in the Company in 2017, it has been a privilege to significantly scale AlephYa
working alongside Ominvest and GIC during a period of such transformational growth,”
commented Ibrahim Assem, Head of Private Equity, MENA at Ashmore Group plc. “We wish
AlephYa and its shareholders the best as they solidify its position as one of the largest school
groups in the region,” added Kartik Patel, Head of Alternatives at Ashmore Investment Saudi
Arabia.

“We believe AlephYa is well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth as the demand for accessible,
high-quality education continues to increase across the GCC. This transaction is part of GIC’s
strategy to partner with leading global firms and we look forward to the next chapter ahead in
partnership with TA,” said Mohammad Al-Fares, Head of Diversified Projects Division at GIC.
“We are pleased to welcome TA as a fellow investor in AlephYa. As knowledgeable investors in
the education sector, we are confident TA’s partnership will enable us to enhance AlephYa’s
offering and further strengthen its footprint. This investment is aligned with Ominvest’s Purpose
Statement of transforming businesses to enrich societies,” commented Badar Al Shanfari, Chief
investment Officer (Private Equity) at Ominvest.

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