The Emirates News Agency reported that H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met the students during her trip to Seoul that began on October 28. The gathering allowed the students to share their academic experiences and future aspirations with the Dubai Culture chairwoman, who heads efforts to promote knowledge exchange. Accompanying Sheikha Latifa were senior UAE officials including Minister of State Maryam Al Hammadi and Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority Director General Aisha Miran.
South Korea’s Ministry of Education data from earlier in 2026 placed the total number of international students enrolled in higher education institutions across the country at more than 300,000, reflecting a sustained push under the Study Korea 300K initiative that had been targeted for 2027. Emirati participants form part of a broader cohort of Gulf students drawn to Korean universities for programmes in engineering, technology and innovation fields. A series of bilateral agreements have supported such mobility, including a 2007 cultural cooperation pact between the UAE and South Korea that was later expanded through the designation of 2020 and 2021 as years of cultural dialogue.
The WAM dispatch noted that the student meeting occurred alongside Sheikha Latifa’s discussions with South Korea’s Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin on strengthening institutional links between the two countries. Those talks examined ways to align curricula with advances in technology and knowledge economies while sharing innovative teaching practices. The Emirates News Agency added that the sessions built on an earlier memorandum of understanding signed in October 2026 between the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development and Seoul National University to integrate Dubai leadership case studies into academic programmes.
UAE officials have consistently framed overseas scholarships as a strategic investment in national human capital, with the Ministry of Education overseeing programmes that send students to select destinations including South Korea. The visit by Sheikha Latifa reinforced this approach by connecting current scholars with high-level guidance on applying their learning upon return. South Korean authorities have similarly expanded outreach through the Global Korea Scholarship scheme, which the Ministry of Education said now supports thousands of international recipients annually with a focus on STEM disciplines.
Further meetings during the delegation’s stay covered urban planning, healthcare innovation and creative industries, the Emirates News Agency stated. Sheikha Latifa received briefings at institutions such as Asan Medical Centre and HEERIM Architects on best practices that could inform future collaboration. The overall visit underscored the special strategic partnership established between the UAE and South Korea in 2018, which a Ministry of Foreign Affairs overview traces back to diplomatic relations formed in 1980.
The students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with a senior UAE figure, according to accounts carried by the Emirates News Agency. Discussions touched on the role of education in driving innovation and the importance of cultural exchange in deepening bilateral relations. Sheikha Latifa’s engagement aligned with ongoing UAE efforts to prepare future leaders through global exposure while fostering partnerships that extend beyond traditional academic boundaries.