Abu Dhabi: October 6, 2025
The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education, one of the institutions of the Erth Zayed Philanthropies, affirmed that teachers in the United Arab Emirates enjoy a prestigious status thanks to the wise leadership’s support for their mission and appreciation for their role in building generations proud of their national identity, their cultural heritage, and the development gains achieved in all fields that advance human life and enhance its quality.
This came during a discourse session organized remotely by the Award’s General Secretariat on the occasion of International Teachers’ Day, titled “The Creative Teacher: Pioneering Experiences of Excellence.” Both speakers have won in the Creative Teacher category: Sheikha Al-Suraidi, a mathematics teacher at Masafi School within the Ministry of Education, and Dr. Omar Al-Noursi, an English language professor and lead at the Tahnoon bin Mohammed Complex at the Institute of Applied Technology. The session was moderated by Dr. Khalid Al-Abri, an advisor at the Ministry of Education, and attended by several academic and teaching leaders, as well as those working in the educational field.
At the beginning of the session, Humaid Al-Houti, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education, emphasized that teachers are one of the fundamental pillars of the global education process. They are pioneers of knowledge, and through their mission and contributions, they shape generations and instill a positive sense of citizenship. He pointed out that teachers in the UAE hold a prominent social position, thanks to the care and attention given by the wise leadership, their elevation in society, and the provision of an environment that encourages creativity, leadership, and excellence. He explained that the Khalifa Award for Education has made creativity one of the fundamental pillars in evaluating the work of nominees.
The Award, in its various editions, features a dedicated category for creative teachers. This category has garnered significant attention from educators in the field, both locally and regionally. For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Abri said that celebrating International Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to highlight the efforts of teachers, who are considered unsung heroes in instilling values in students, who in turn become future leaders in their communities.
During the session, Sheikha Al-Suraidi discussed her experience as a creative teacher in the Fujairah region, noting that creativity is an integrated system of effort, work, and giving simultaneously. Although it is an individual talent, it flourishes through the role of the creative person in building effective work teams that serve the mission of the educational institution, and even refine the student’s character, setting them on the path to excellence.
Dr. Omar Al-Noursi said: “The introduction of the Khalifa Award for Education for the Creative Teacher category reflects the award’s mission and leadership in promoting a culture of creativity, excellence, and innovation in the educational field. Through this category, the award has successfully highlighted the creative experiences of teachers in academia, making these experiences a model to be emulated by various elements of the educational process. Today, such a session serves as a bridge for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between teachers across the educational field, expanding the scope of creativity in the education system at all levels.”