In keeping with the ongoing efforts by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) to support the UAE’s goal of developing education in line with the nation’s strategic vision, and in view of the important role played by teachers as the cornerstone of the education process, the ECSSR convened its fifth Annual Education Conference under the title: “Education and Educators: Creating a Culture of Excellence in the Classroom.” This reflected that a culture of excellence in education can only be achieved with the support of high-caliber teachers capable of raising the standards of instruction to a level that meets the country’s expectations and strategic objectives. These involve building a generation of students equipped with the required knowledge, skills and innovative ability to play a part in securing the future of the country, as well as to deal efficiently with rapid changes at the local, regional and international levels, and capitalize on available opportunities to advance the position of the UAE in the region and the world.

The ECSSR’s fifth Annual Education Conference tried to identify methods and mechanisms with which to develop and improve the performance of teachers across the UAE. It discussed current teacher training and qualification programs and the challenges they face, reviewing applicable lessons derived from leading international training models. The conference discussed the social, economic and cultural factors that discourage qualified graduates from seeking a career in education, and presented possible solutions based both on international experiences in this respect and the requirements of the local environment. The conference gave teachers an opportunity to share their experiences and present their views regarding the pre- and in-service training programs needed to develop their performance and help them keep pace with the latest developments in the field.

Program      Welcoming Remarks      Opening Remarks