The Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi (ADEK) and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at embedding Emirati heritage and national identity more deeply into the educational experience of students across the emirate.
The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2026. The agreement was inked by Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Under-Secretary of ADEK, and Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Acting Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. The signing ceremony was attended by Mohamed Taj Eddine Ahmed Alqadi, Chairman of ADEK, and Abdulla Mubarak Al Mheiri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for joint initiatives that integrate Emirati heritage into schools. Priority areas include training educational staff, building institutional capabilities, identifying and nurturing student talent, facilitating knowledge transfer, raising cultural awareness, and organising heritage-focused activities both inside and outside the classroom.
The partnership directly supports ADEK’s strategic priorities of reinforcing national identity and Emirati values among students, enriching their overall educational journey, and strengthening their emotional and intellectual connection to the country’s cultural heritage.
Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri emphasised the foundational importance of the initiative. “Our national identity and Emirati values must remain firmly rooted in every student’s educational journey, reflected meaningfully in their experiences both inside and beyond the classroom,” he said. He added that collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority would allow schools to draw on specialised expertise, thereby enriching students’ learning, deepening their sense of belonging to the community, and helping to shape confident generations who take pride in their identity.
Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei described the agreement as a significant step toward closer integration between the heritage and education sectors. “We view the emerging generations as key partners in ensuring the sustainability of heritage. From this perspective, we are committed to presenting Emirati heritage through educational and interactive approaches that strengthen students’ connection to their national identity and provide them with broader opportunities to learn about and practise the elements of Emirati heritage and Sana’,” he stated.
Implementation will begin in the new academic year through targeted programmes. The flagship Sana’ Programme will reach teachers and students in 15 private schools and 37 Charter Schools across Abu Dhabi. It will provide specialised training for 1,541 teachers 802 Arabic-speaking and 739 non-Arabic-speaking equipping them with the knowledge and pedagogical tools needed to deliver heritage content effectively. Complementary interactive sessions will be held for students in schools and community majlises, focusing on Emirati Sana’, traditional values, customs, and practices.
A second major initiative, the Nabati Poetry Programme, targets Arabic-speaking students in Grades 1 to 5 at private and Charter Schools. Under the programme, students will learn three poems each academic year one per term following a progressive pathway designed so that each student will have memorised 15 poems by the end of secondary school. Beyond memorisation, the programme aims to develop recitation skills, expand vocabulary, and identify and nurture poetic talent from an early age, thereby reinforcing the UAE’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
Officials from both organisations stressed that the MoU goes beyond one-off activities. It creates a shared institutional platform that will enable continuous expansion of heritage education initiatives across Abu Dhabi. By combining ADEK’s reach within the school system with the Heritage Authority’s specialised knowledge, the partnership seeks to make Emirati culture a living, practised element of daily school life rather than an abstract subject.
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The timing of the agreement, during ADIHEX 2026, underscores the growing recognition that cultural heritage and modern education are mutually reinforcing. As Abu Dhabi continues to invest in high-quality education while preserving its unique identity, such collaborations are expected to play an increasingly central role in preparing young people who are both globally competent and deeply rooted in their national values.
The programmes launching this academic year represent only the first phase. Both ADEK and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority have indicated that additional joint activities will be developed as the partnership matures, ensuring that future generations of students leave school with a strong, informed, and personal connection to Emirati heritage.
