August 2025: MENA Education Stories Include Academic Shifts, Leveraging AI, and Preparing Students for Careers
We are continuing our monthly series with a round-up of education news and commentary from across the Middle East. This month’s headlines cover a wide spectrum of updates.
Saudi Arabia is adjusting its academic calendar to better reflect national priorities, while three UAE students have been recognized on the global stage for their community impact and leadership. Meanwhile, conversations in the UAE are turning toward teacher well-being, with new approaches emerging to tackle stress and burnout. You'll also learn about school leaders' intentional use of AI.
Teach Middle East: What School Leaders Really Need to Know About AI With Ann Palmer [Podcast]
Veteran educator Ann Palmer shares her journey from headteacher to AI advocate, revealing a contrast between the UK’s cautious approach and the Middle East’s enthusiastic embrace of educational technology. Palmer’s vision for AI in schools includes reduced administrative burdens, personalised professional development, efficient data analysis, and cross-curricular integration. “We are leaders, so we lead the developments. We don’t let AI lead us,” says Palmer.
Education Middle East: “Saudi returns to two-term academic year starting 2025-26” [Article]
Saudi Arabia has announced a major shift in its academic calendar, confirming that public schools will move back to a two-semester structure starting with the 2025–26 school year. The decision follows a comprehensive review of the three-semester model that was introduced as part of Vision 2030 reforms. While the three-term system allowed the kingdom to meet global benchmarks for instructional days, consultations with educators, parents, and administrators revealed that flexibility is just as important as quantity. Particular concern came from regions such as Makkah and Madinah, where school schedules often collide with the demands of the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The Ministry of Education noted that teaching quality depends more on strong curriculum, teacher development, and supportive school environments than on the number of terms.
Education Middle East: “Three UAE students shortlisted for $100,000 Global Student Prize” [Article]
Three students from Dubai have been shortlisted for the prestigious Global Student Prize 2025, which awards $100,000 to young people making significant contributions in education, leadership, and community impact. Wiktoria Blazik of Jumeirah College has championed accessible education and debate, launching a Girls’ Public Speaking Club and building resources now used by students in more than 50 countries. Arjun Kaur Mittal of North London Collegiate School Dubai founded Her Needs, a non-profit that has distributed over 22,000 reusable sanitary pads across Tanzania and empowered women entrepreneurs. Dalia Zidan of Al Mawakeb School Al Garhoud, a Palestinian first-generation student, is breaking barriers in STEM with an AI-powered web app designed to support the mental health of first-generation students. The students were selected from nearly 11,000 nominations spanning 148 countries, with the top ten finalists to be announced in August and the winner later this year.
Teach Middle East: “The Hidden Cost of Teacher Stress and How to Address It With Aakanksha Tangri” [Podcast]
On a recent Teach Middle East podcast, Aakanksha Tangri, founder and CEO of Re:Set, shared her journey from political journalism to education wellness. Having experienced severe burnout after producing more than 100 documentaries in just three years, Tangri founded Re:Set to make mental health resources more accessible for teachers in Dubai and beyond. Her organization now partners with schools to deliver science-backed well-being workshops, provide free stress assessments, and align programs with the UAE National Well-Being Strategy 2031. Tangri emphasizes that signs of teacher burnout often appear as disengagement, increased sick days, or late-night emails, but can be managed through open communication, self-compassion, and small, sustainable habits. The conversation underscores the fact that teacher well-being is not just a personal issue, but also a foundation for school success and student achievement.
Edarabia: From Classroom to Career: How MAHE Dubai Prepares Students for Global Success [Article]
The article, an interview with Dr. S. Sudhindra, the Academic President of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) - Dubai, highlights how the institution prepares students for global careers. The interview covers several key topics, including the university’s "360° support system" to provide personalized guidance on career readiness. Industry partnerships are a focus for the university to ensure programmes are relevant. Holistic development is another topic of the interview, as institution places an emphasis on not just academic knowledge but also research, entrepreneurial thinking, and student well-being, fostering a comprehensive approach to preparing students for life beyond the classroom.