Dubai: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences held an introductory workshop on the Hamdan-EFQM Global Educational Award at its headquarters in Dubai. The event drew participation from school representatives across the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation, stated that the award reflects the Foundation's commitment to recognizing excellence in educational practices and honoring efforts that contribute to the advancement of educational quality. He emphasized that schools are foundational pillars for building a sustainable knowledge-based society and that the award aims to accelerate qualitative transformation in education systems in line with the UAE's vision for institutional excellence.
The workshop was led by Dr. Rashid Al Reyami, a certified trainer and evaluator, who provided an overview of the award's objectives, structure, eligibility criteria, and application process. A discussion session followed, allowing participants to ask questions and explore the practical dimensions of the award.
Hamdan-EFQM Global Educational Award is a strategic initiative developed in collaboration with the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). It is the first award globally to assess educational institution performance based on a robust evaluation model aligned with international standards.
The award is based on the Hamdan Educational Model, a framework co-developed by education experts and EFQM, emphasizing improved pedagogical and administrative performance, enhanced learning outcomes, and the dissemination of best practices among schools.
Targeting outstanding schools in the UAE and the broader GCC region, the award process includes a review of applications submitted via EFQM's digital platform AssessBase, followed by orientation sessions and site visits by assessment teams. The process ends with detailed feedback reports providing analysis and recommendations for improvement.
The workshop concluded with a call for eligible schools to apply and benefit from the resources and expertise offered by the Foundation. Participation in the award fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, reinforcing education as a key pillar of sustainable development.