The Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance has completed the interview phase for nominees of its 2026 Local and GCC Educational Awards, according to the Emirates News Agency. This step advances the multi-stage evaluation process that began with document assessments and now incorporates direct interviews to gauge candidates’ qualifications across several categories. The foundation’s guidelines outline that field arbitration through these sessions scrutinizes overall documentation and personal competencies in line with established criteria for academic merit and innovation.
Interviews took place at the foundation’s headquarters in Dubai under the supervision of accredited judging panels, the Emirates News Agency reported. Local nominees included candidates for the Distinguished Student Award and Distinguished Educator Award while parallel sessions covered GCC-level entries. The evaluation draws on a structured timetable that ensures consistency for both UAE and regional participants.
The foundation was established in 1998 by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and later formalized by Decree No 16 of 2018 to promote excellence in education, according to official records from the Dubai Legal Portal. Its objectives include supporting government efforts to highlight the education sector and improving performance in line with international best practices. Previous cycles have recognized winners from across the Gulf, with Qatar securing six awards in the 2025 edition for teachers, educators and schools, The Peninsula Qatar reported.
Categories for the 2026 awards encompass distinguished teachers, students, schools and researchers at local, GCC and international levels, foundation participation guides show. Winners typically receive cash prizes, trophies and opportunities to engage in further professional development programs. The 2025 summer camp for gifted students organized by the foundation concluded on September 13, 2026, building on similar initiatives that complement the awards program, Gulf Daily News data indicates.
Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, executive director of the foundation, previously highlighted the value of such platforms in exchanging expertise among Gulf education professionals during the Pioneers of Excellence Forum held in May 2026, UrduPoint reported. That event brought together 23 award winners and coordinators to discuss trends in teaching and innovation. The current interview round forms part of ongoing efforts to identify talent that can contribute to elevating regional education standards.
Further field visits and assessments for remaining categories are set to continue through the end of September before results are announced via the foundation’s official channels, the Emirates News Agency added. The process aligns with the foundation’s annual cycle that has operated continuously since its inception more than 25 years ago.
