UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. ARCHIVE

The UAE has officially announced the introduction of a new national day, Emirati Day for Education, which will be celebrated annually on February 28, starting in 2025. Unveiling the decision on Monday (September 30), UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the new national day aims to recognize the role of education in the UAE’s progress. The significance of February 28 dates back to 1982 when the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, witnessed the graduation of the first cohort of teachers from UAE University. Sheikh Mohamed emphasized that this moment was a historic milestone in the UAE’s development, marking the beginning of a robust educational framework for the country. The Emirati Day for Education will highlight the essential contributions of education to the UAE’s vision for growth and development. However, it is unlikely that the new day will result in a public holiday, as the country’s official 2025 public holiday calendar has already been released. The new national day mirrors Union Pledge Day, another celebratory day introduced this year. This announcement aligns with the UAE’s broader initiatives to position itself as a global leader in education. In September 2024, the UAE revealed a Dh4.5 billion investment in the National University of Dubai, aiming to rank among the top 50 young universities within a decade and the top 200 globally within 20 years. Dubai is also working to become one of the world’s top 10 cities for quality education, as part of its Social Agenda 33. ICA/Expat Media
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