Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has approved the establishment of the Dubai Student Council for the 2025–26 academic year. This initiative is part of the Leaders of Tomorrow game-changer project, which falls under Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.
The council consists of 16 students from Grades 9/Year 10 to 12/Year 13, selected from private schools across Dubai. Reflecting the emirate’s cultural diversity, the members represent 16 schools, covering six different curricula and nine nationalities and cultures. Collectively, they represent nearly 400,000 students within Dubai’s private education system.
The council’s inaugural meeting was attended by Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Aisha Miran, Director-General of KHDA. During the event, council members received a gift from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan – a copy of the book ‘Lessons from Life’ by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai accompanied by a personal message from the Crown Prince of Dubai.
In a congratulatory message to the new council members, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said, “This is an exciting achievement and a great opportunity, and a symbol of responsibility, commitment, and service to your community and fellow students. As a member of the Council, you are now the voice of students in Dubai. You will carry their ambitions, express their ideas, and contribute to developing our education system. Your responsibility is significant, but our expectations are even greater.
In appreciation of your efforts, I gift you a copy of the book ‘Lessons from Life’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It captures the values that inspire, guide, and ignite the passion to achieve and make a difference. Continue to exemplify the qualities that define our nation’s youth: minds that innovate, hearts that persevere, and a deep-rooted pride in the values that unite and inspire us.”
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision is centered on investing in people, nurturing talent, empowering youth, and fostering creativity and innovation. He highlighted that Dubai aims to empower every student to participate in designing and developing educational programs and policies, ensuring students can compete globally while contributing to the emirate’s legacy of leadership and excellence, enriched by its cultural diversity.
The Dubai Student Council represents a major step toward amplifying student voices and encouraging active involvement in shaping policies within Dubai’s private education sector. Its goal is to create an inclusive, flexible, and innovative learning environment that addresses the evolving needs of the community.
The council will act as an interactive platform, connecting student representatives directly with KHDA, fostering collaboration, mutual understanding, and shared problem-solving. Members will serve as a bridge between students and KHDA, addressing challenges, exploring opportunities, and supporting initiatives that promote student engagement and educational excellence.
Aisha Miran, Director-General of the KHDA, said, “We warmly congratulate the students selected for the Dubai Student Council for this academic year. The selection process was thoughtfully planned to ensure fairness, transparency, and diversity.
Dubai’s students are at the heart of the emirate’s educational excellence and leadership. They are the foundation of every developmental effort and the aim of all programmes and policies. We trust in their ability to innovate, overcome challenges, and make a positive contribution to shaping educational programmes that anticipate the future of learning, in line with the Education 33 Strategy.”
The council includes Emirati students and a student of determination, ensuring authentic representation of Dubai’s student community. Gender balance has also been achieved, with eight male and eight female members, all selected based on established criteria for excellence.
This year, 90 private schools across 10 curricula submitted nominations. Out of these, 40 students were shortlisted according to excellence criteria. The final members were selected through a rigorous and transparent process, including individual interviews and group activities conducted with PwC Consulting, assessing leadership and interpersonal skills.
Membership in the Dubai Student Council is valid for one academic year, with the possibility of renewal for a second term, contingent upon performance and continued fulfillment of eligibility criteria.
(Inputs from WAM)
