AGP Executive Report

Early Learning: Riyadh-based Dadibadi has launched a screen-free learning device that uses AI voice interaction, Arabic stories and English activities to engage children. Education Technology: UAE firm Alef Education showcased AI-powered teaching tools in Abu Dhabi, drawing interest from education representatives across the Gulf, Africa and Asia. University Standards: ESLSCA University says its MBA is the first in the Middle East and Africa to receive EFMD Programme Accreditation, following a decade-long review of its curriculum, teaching and quality systems. Regional Partnerships: Indonesia and Egypt plan to deepen education ties through student exchanges, university partnerships, joint research and scholarships. Student Support: Pope Leo XIV announced tuition scholarships for financially vulnerable Christian students in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Student Safety: Malaysia says there is no immediate need to evacuate its students from Saudi Arabia after the Riyadh airport attack, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

Student Safety: Malaysia says there is no immediate need to evacuate its students in Saudi Arabia after the Riyadh airport attack, but officials are monitoring conditions around Makkah and Madinah. AI in Classrooms: UAE edtech firm Alef Education showcased AI learning tools in Abu Dhabi, drawing interest from education representatives across the Gulf, Africa and Asia. University Links: Indonesia and Egypt agreed to expand student exchanges, university partnerships and joint research, alongside education and training cooperation. Scholarships: Pope Leo announced tuition support for financially vulnerable Christian students in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, covering school and university study. Digital Skills: DataCamp and GEMS Education are partnering to bring hands-on AI and data training to more than 60,000 students and teachers.

Student Safety: Malaysia says there is no urgent need to evacuate its students from Saudi Arabia after the deadly Riyadh airport strike, but officials are monitoring conditions, particularly in Makkah and Madinah. Scholarships: Pope Leo XIV has announced tuition support for students from financially vulnerable Christian families in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, covering school and university fees. Dubai Schools: KHDA’s inspections will assess early-childhood education, Emirati students’ progress, inclusive learning and Arabic teaching, with targeted visits for newer schools. AI Skills: GEMS Education and DataCamp have partnered to bring hands-on AI and data training to more than 60,000 students and teachers. Teacher Development: Kuwait is stressing stronger teacher skills and updated curricula.

Egypt–Malaysia Education Ties: Egypt is ready to offer more places at Al-Azhar to Malaysian students and host Malaysian preachers and teachers, as the two countries broaden cooperation. Climate and Schools: UNICEF warns a powerful El Niño could disrupt education and close schools, putting more than 347 million children worldwide at risk. Dubai School Inspections: KHDA’s visits will assess teaching and learning, with added attention to early childhood, Emirati students, inclusion and Arabic. AI in Education: UAE education leaders have explored how artificial intelligence could shape learning, while Kuwait is also stressing stronger teacher skills and curricula.

Dubai Schools: KHDA is changing its inspection approach this year: newer schools will get targeted visits, while third-year schools face full reviews. Inspectors will focus on early learning, Emirati students’ progress, inclusion and Arabic teaching. Higher Education: Beirut’s Haigazian University hosted a conference on missionary networks and Armenian Evangelical communities, renewing scholarly collaboration after delays linked to the situation in Lebanon. AI and Digital Skills: UAE education leaders discussed AI-powered learning, while GEMS Education and DataCamp plan hands-on AI and data training for more than 60,000 students and teachers. Teacher Development: Kuwait officials called for stronger teacher skills and curricula; Iraq’s cybersecurity programs now span more than 120 university departments.

Dubai School Inspections: KHDA will use targeted visits for newer private schools and comprehensive assessments for schools in their third year. Inspectors will focus on early learning, Emirati students’ progress, inclusive education and Arabic teaching. Climate and Learning: UNICEF warns a powerful El Niño could put more than 347 million children worldwide at risk, including through school closures, displacement and health threats. AI in UAE Classrooms: GEMS Education and DataCamp have partnered to bring practical AI and data skills to more than 60,000 students and teachers. Teacher Development: Kuwait officials are calling for stronger teacher skills and curricula, and more investment in educators.

Student Innovation: Türkiye’s METU says more than 120 students and faculty are helping develop two AI-powered lunar rovers, with a Moon mission planned for 2030. The project is also building student expertise in satellite communications and space technology. Girls in Gaza: Displaced sisters Tala and Farah Mousa won a regional Earth Prize for turning rubble into building blocks. They plan to use their award to train about 100 young people in the technique. Arabic Learning: A Sharjah language forum brought Arab and European institutions together to discuss Arabic teaching, cultural understanding and how technology can support learners and teachers. Teachers and AI Skills: Kuwait education officials called for stronger teacher skills and curricula, while a separate GEMS Education partnership aims to bring hands-on AI and data training to more than 60,000 students and teachers.

Student Space Research: Türkiye’s Middle East Technical University plans to send its AI-powered lunar rover to the Moon in 2030. More than 120 students are working with faculty on the project. Girls’ Innovation: Gaza sisters Tala and Farah Mousa won a global environmental prize for turning rubble into building blocks; they plan to train about 100 young people in the technique. Arabic Education: A Sharjah language forum explored how Arab and European institutions can strengthen Arabic teaching, support educators and use technology in learning. Climate and Schools: UNICEF warns that El Niño could put 347 million children at risk worldwide, with around 20 million in the Middle East and North Africa potentially affected, including through interruptions to schooling. AI Skills: DataCamp and GEMS Education are partnering to bring hands-on AI and data skills to more than 60,000 students and teachers.

AI in Education: UAE education leaders discussed the future of AI-powered learning at a Zoom summit, as DataCamp and GEMS Education announced a partnership to bring practical AI and data skills to more than 60,000 students and teachers. University Innovation: Oman’s Riyada brought together 150–200 participants to explore turning university research into startups, with a focus on linking education and research to market needs. Teachers and Curriculum: Kuwait education leaders highlighted stronger teacher skills and curricula, while officials have also urged greater investment in teachers. Student Achievement: One hundred UAE students were recognized for mathematics achievements at a Dubai summit.

AI in UAE Higher Education: Education leaders at Zoom’s Dubai summit explored AI-powered student services and digital tools for universities. Digital Skills: GEMS Education and DataCamp are partnering to bring hands-on AI and data training to more than 60,000 students and teachers. Teacher Development: Kuwait education officials called for stronger teacher skills and curricula, stressing investment in educators. University Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity programs are expanding across more than 120 Iraqi university departments, reflecting growing demand for specialist training. Jordan’s Digital Schools: The education minister visited a school taking part in the kingdom’s first digital-schools program.

University Innovation: Oman’s education-sector seminar brought academics, officials and investors together to strengthen university entrepreneurship and support student and faculty startups, aligning the work with Vision 2040. Higher Education: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy backed expanding American universities in Qatar’s Education City, while critics raised concerns about foreign funding and institutional independence. Teacher Development: Kuwaiti education officials called for stronger teacher skills and updated curricula, underscoring the importance of investment in educators. AI Skills: DataCamp and GEMS Education announced a partnership to provide hands-on AI and data training to 60,000 students and teachers in the UAE.

Student Protests: Pro-Palestinian students in London face strict conditions for an Oct. 7 march, including a ban on face masks that organizers say they’ll resist, as police set routes and dispersal deadlines. Higher Education & Security: U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy’s push for more American university campuses in Qatar’s Education City is drawing national security concerns over donor influence and potential impacts on U.S. interests. Education Policy & Rights: Iraq’s child marriage debate is reignited by claims about girls marrying at nine, but reporting notes the law still sets marriage at 18, with limited judge-authorized exceptions from age 15. Teacher Development: Oman’s education ministry highlights teacher capability and curriculum upgrades tied to classroom practice, focusing on scientific thinking and evidence-based reasoning. STEM Recognition: Cuemath’s Parent Summit in Dubai recognized 100 UAE students for math achievements, including national and international competition wins. Curriculum Updates: Bangladesh plans four new subjects for Class Six from 2027—joyful learning, technical education, sports, and culture—while reviewing materials from 2028. Child Safety Online: Coverage also flags ongoing concerns around child safety online as schools and families navigate new risks.

Teacher Capacity & Curricula: Kuwait’s education officials stressed stronger teacher skills and updated curricula to lift student learning. Student Learning Outcomes: Saudi Arabia’s education undersecretary linked better science teaching to teacher professional development and classroom practice, echoing Gulf-MENA focus on PISA results. Higher Education in Qatar: US Sen. Chris Murphy highlighted the role of American universities in Qatar’s Education City amid renewed debate over Qatar’s influence. Student Protests in France: French unions called a nationwide strike day as lycée pupils protest school funding and staffing, with hundreds of schools disrupted. Special Needs Support: UK ministers warned that specialist “experts at hand” support for SEND pupils may be undermined by staff shortages. Curriculum Change (Bangladesh): Bangladesh plans four new Class Six subjects from 2027—joyful learning, technical education, sports and culture. MENA Startup Spotlight: London Business School named 10 MENA finalists for its 2026 startup competition in Dubai, with a USD 45,000 prize pool. Education & AI (UAE): Coverage highlighted how AI is being used to reshape education choices for UAE students. Campus Security & Protest Climate: UK university reporting flagged rising antisemitism and campus tensions, including calls for independent inquiries into disciplinary cases.

Teacher & curriculum push in Kuwait: Kuwait’s education undersecretary Dr Khaled Al-Rasheed urged stronger teacher skills and curricula to boost students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific reasoning, linking professional development directly to classroom practice. Higher-ed diplomacy in Qatar: US Sen. Chris Murphy praised the role of American universities in Qatar’s Education City during a Doha trip, framing campus presence as a bridge for people-to-people ties. Student learning outcomes focus (Gulf/MENA): The same PISA-linked regional dialogue in Riyadh highlighted how teaching students to observe, ask testable questions, gather evidence, and reassess conclusions can improve learning outcomes across the Gulf and MENA. Online child safety in Pakistan: A Kaspersky-linked survey found Pakistani children spend more time on popular apps like YouTube, raising concerns about grooming, fraud, and harassment risks as safeguards lag behind. Special needs support under strain (UK): UK ministers warned that mainstream schools may struggle to access promised specialist “experts” due to staff shortages. Education amid instability (Yemen): Reporting from Aden described how power cuts and fuel shortages disrupt schooling and healthcare, with electricity access still extremely limited.

Teacher Development & Learning Outcomes: Kuwait’s education official urged investment in teachers and stronger classroom practice, linking professional development to how students think scientifically and build evidence-based reasoning. Higher Education & Skills: Egypt unveiled plans to develop human capital for its expanding transport sector, including establishing a specialized Egyptian International University for Transport Engineering and Technology (ENUT) with international partners. AI in Education (UAE): Educators in Dubai highlighted how UAE students are being taught to use AI across disciplines while understanding its limits and using it ethically. University Life in Qatar: Northwestern University Qatar welcomed its Class of 2030, stressing learning through conversation and creative collaboration, with students shaping journalism and women’s sports initiatives. Regional Education Partnerships (Sharjah): Sharjah’s private education authority signed cooperation frameworks with ICESCO and FranklinCovey Middle East to strengthen leadership, teacher capacity, and school-family partnerships. Humanitarian Strain on Health & Schooling (Yemen): Reports from Aden described how persistent power outages disrupt hospitals and student learning, underscoring the education and health fallout of Yemen’s electricity crisis. International Education & Mobility: Coverage also flagged ongoing debates around international student recruitment and visa rules, with knock-on effects for universities and learners.

AI in UAE classrooms: UAE higher-education leaders say AI is now part of every degree, urging students to use it as a tool, understand its limits, and learn professional, ethical application (UAE students). UAE education partnerships: Sharjah’s Private Education Authority signed cooperation deals with ICESCO and FranklinCovey Middle East to support private education quality, leadership development, and school-family partnerships. UAE campus skills for jobs: Commentary argues degrees alone won’t prepare students for tomorrow’s work, pushing parents and educators to focus on real-world skills and adaptability. Iraq cybersecurity boom in universities: Iraq’s universities rapidly expanded cybersecurity departments from 5 in 2022 to 123 by 2026-27, with most growth in private institutions and a concentration in Baghdad, raising questions about quality and regular academic reviews. Kuwait humanitarian health capacity: Kuwait-based charities expanded medical outreach across Africa and the Middle East, including a Tanzania campaign treating children with congenital heart defects and training local pediatric cardiac teams. Campus speech debate (US, with Middle East focus): A US opinion piece cites data showing many students find the Israel-Palestinian conflict hard to discuss openly, while another column highlights the need to protect campus voices amid controversy. Real estate and schools in Abu Dhabi: Developers say buyers increasingly value liveability—connectivity, schools, parks, and walkability—linking community design to long-term property value.