Because the UAE accelerates its pivot from a resource-driven financial system to a knowledge-based one, a quiet revolution is happening in its school rooms. The nation’s long-term ambitions, from synthetic intelligence to wash power, area exploration to sensible cities, rely not on oil, however on minds. Brilliant, agile, and future-ready minds. Recognizing this, the UAE has positioned distinctive give attention to discovering and nurturing its most gifted youth, early, precisely, and inclusively. On the heart of this nationwide technique is the Hamdan Expertise Scale: a groundbreaking scientific instrument that’s reshaping how the nation identifies and develops its subsequent era of innovators, scientists, and leaders.
Uncovering Gifted Minds: Outcomes That Converse for Themselves
Since early 2025, practically 9,000 college students have undergone evaluations by way of the nationwide Expertise Identification Program. The consequence: over 400 gifted college students have been recognized in just some months. Dr. Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, mentioned:“Because the starting of 2025, practically 9,000 college students have been evaluated by way of the nationwide Expertise Identification Program, ensuing within the discovery of greater than 400 gifted college students. This end result underscores the accuracy and effectivity of the size. It reinforces the event of tailor-made packages to help this distinctive group of learners.” So far, greater than 2,000 gifted college students have already been recognized by way of this system. A lot of them are at the moment enrolled in specialised educational tracks that emphasize STEM training, innovation labs, and professional mentorship, a system carefully aligned with the UAE’s long-term imaginative and prescient for nationwide innovation and human capital growth. Dr. Al Ghawi emphasised:“It’s thought-about one of the superior methods for figuring out gifted and proficient people within the Arab world.”
What Is the Hamdan Expertise Scale?
Designed for college kids in Grades 4 by way of 12, the Hamdan Expertise Scale is a part of a nationwide effort to determine and help gifted learners utilizing a culturally related, research-based method. Dr. Mariam Al Ghawi defined how the instrument works and why it stands out:“The check is a scientifically developed instrument designed to determine gifted college students in grades 4 by way of 12. Initiated by the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Basis, this check combines worldwide analysis with native cultural and academic values, providing a complete evaluation of scholars’ mental, educational, and artistic talents.”
How Gifted College students Are Chosen
This system makes use of a three-stage course of to make sure correct and truthful identification of expertise:
- Nomination: College students could also be nominated by their colleges or apply immediately through the Basis’s official web site.
- Screening: Members bear assessments that consider cognitive abilities, creativity, and educational efficiency.
- Choice: Those that meet the outlined expertise standards are enrolled into long-term growth packages.
“This course of ensures equity and accessibility, protecting private and non-private colleges throughout the seven emirates,” Dr. Al Ghawi added.
Alternatives That Observe: A Path to Development
College students chosen by way of the Hamdan Expertise Scale acquire entry to a world of alternative. This system is constructed round STEM and humanities enrichment, together with:
- Superior educational tracks
- Innovation labs
- Nationwide and worldwide competitions
- Professional mentorship packages
- World publicity and collaboration
These experiences are designed to domesticate crucial considering, management, and creativity, key attributes for the UAE’s future innovators and leaders. Notably, participation is solely freed from cost. Actions are carried out on weekends, college holidays, or by way of college visits. Improvement packages are structured to evolve steadily over eight years, making certain long-term impression and sustainability.
Open to All: A Nationwide Motion for Expertise
One of many hallmark options of the initiative is its inclusivity. Open to college students of all nationalities, this system displays the UAE’s broader imaginative and prescient for a future-ready training system. Since launch, greater than 2,200 proficient college students have been recognized, with a goal of 5,000 college students by 2030. Past scholar help, this system additionally invests in:
- Specialised coaching for lecturers
- Consciousness campaigns for households
- Strategic partnerships with colleges
These initiatives purpose to create a nationwide tradition that celebrates and nurtures expertise, aligning with the objectives of the UAE Centennial Imaginative and prescient 2071.