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DUBAI / WAM
The Digital School, an initiative under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced the launch of joint digital education projects with the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. This bilateral cooperation aims to develop the education sector in the region by equipping it with future-ready tools and methodologies that empower new generations with advanced learning experiences and essential skills to strengthen their participation in shaping the future and support the region’s digital education strategies and plans.
This announcement came during an official visit by the Digital School team to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which included the formal inauguration of several digital schools, the graduation of 2,400 digital teachers, and the launch of a new programme to train 10,000 digital teachers.
The ceremony also honoured outstanding teachers who led digital transformation efforts and included field visits to a number of digital schools, organised in coordination with the region’s Ministry of Education. The event was attended by Alan Hama Saeed, Minister of Education in the Kurdistan Regional Government; Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations in the Kurdistan Regional Government; Ahmed Al Dhaheri, UAE Consul-General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Dr Waleed Al Ali, Secretary-General of The Digital School; and a number of local officials. The Digital School delegation also included Tatiana Droushki and Iskandar Hussein, representatives of Dubai Cares, which has supported and funded the project. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of the Board of The Digital School, stated that the partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government to develop digital learning projects reflects a joint commitment to enhancing the educational environment, accelerating digital transformation, and providing students with the tools and skills of the future. He praised the fruitful and positive collaboration with the Kurdistan Regional Government, highlighting the significant achievements accomplished in a short time frame. He also valued the government’s support for The Digital School’s projects and initiatives, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Ministry of Education in the region in adopting modern and future-oriented educational models and methodologies. He reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen cooperation to establish future-focused digital learning models that empower the new generation to lead change and build a better future.
Alan Hama Saeed said, “I am pleased to launch The Digital School, one of the projects of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.” “The Digital School is a fully digital school aimed at enhancing the educational system.”
He added, “This system was developed with smart technologies because we live in a constantly changing world dominated by digital systems that impact all areas of life. Therefore, we can utilise technology in education.”
He continued, “It is essential to use technology in educating the new generation—Generation Alpha—which uses technology even before learning to read. This is an excellent initiative being implemented in several countries.” Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice Chairman of Dubai Cares, said that launching The Digital School in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq goes beyond enhancing access to quality education—it represents a vital investment in future generations. In a world reshaped by complexity, change, and technological advancement, education must evolve from merely transmitting knowledge to becoming a dynamic force that enhances adaptability.” “At Dubai Cares, we do not see technology as an end in itself, but as a means to empower both learners and teachers to thrive amidst uncertainty, lead with purpose, and shape a more inclusive and sustainable future. Through initiatives like The Digital School, we prepare the next generation not just to adapt to tomorrow’s world—but to help change it,” he added.
The Digital School team met with education sector leaders in the Kurdistan Region to review the outcomes of the joint cooperation and its impact on enhancing learning experiences. Key achievements included translating The Digital School’s digital learning platform into Kurdish, providing Arizona State University-accredited digital teacher training courses in Kurdish, digitising the Kurdish national curriculum and integrating it into a modern e-learning platform in Kurdish for grades 1 to 9, covering five core subjects: Arabic, English, Kurdish, Mathematics, and Science, and reviewing efforts to digitise the curriculum for grades 10 to 12. The partnership also successfully equipped 64 schools with digital learning tools, including smart boards and educational resources. Over 40,000 students have registered on The Digital School’s platform to access the Kurdish curriculum, and 2,000 teachers have registered for the digital learning system.
Additionally, 2,400 teachers have been trained through the Digital Educator Global Academy and earned ASU-accredited certificates, and 1,600 electronic devices have been provided to students and teachers. The team visited several of the newly launched digital schools, inspected the equipment provided, and observed classroom activities with students and teachers. The visit also included a recognition ceremony at the Ministry of Education in the Kurdistan Region and awards for the top digital teacher and a group of outstanding educators involved in The Digital School’s initiatives. The event also marked the launch of a new initiative between The Digital School and the Ministry of Education in the Kurdistan Regional Government to provide 10,000 training opportunities for teachers through the “Digital Teacher” programme, in collaboration with Arizona State University.
This initiative is a strategic step toward building the capacity of educators in the region and enabling them with modern digital teaching tools that enhance education quality and align outcomes with the demands of the digital era. The Digital School, launched in November 2020 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, is the first accredited digital school of its kind. It aims to provide students with flexible, intelligent options for digital and blended learning, particularly targeting underserved communities, refugees, and displaced individuals worldwide.