A major global program has been launched to train 10,000 digital teachers, led by the Digital School—an initiative under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation—in partnership with the Ministry of Education of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The program aims to equip male and female teachers across the region with modern digital teaching skills through an advanced training initiative developed in collaboration with Arizona State University, USA.
This initiative marks a new phase of strategic cooperation between the Digital School and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Education. It builds on the success of the first phase, supported by Dubai Cares, which trained and certified 2,400 digital teachers. The expansion to 10,000 teachers reflects a shared commitment to improving education quality, encouraging innovation, and preparing the education system for a technology-driven future.
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, said that developing teachers’ digital skills is a central focus of the Digital School’s mission. He emphasized that these initiatives aim to create future-ready learning models that allow students to access knowledge and digital resources effectively.
He added that the partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government stands as a model for sustainable and innovative education. It supports the development of a new generation of digital teachers capable of integrating technology, creativity, and critical thinking into classrooms, strengthening the region’s leadership in digital education.
Alan Hama Salih, Minister of Education of the Kurdistan Regional Government, commended the Digital School for its commitment to empowering teachers through digital education. He highlighted the school’s flexibility and ability to overcome geographical, time, and language barriers—making it an effective platform for upskilling teachers through interactive and personalized learning.
Empowering Digital Education in Kurdistan
The initiative focuses on enhancing digital education and empowering teachers through the Global Academy for Digital Teachers, a branch of the Digital School. The academy aims to strengthen digital competencies and promote innovative teaching methods that prepare educators to lead modern, interactive classrooms.
Training is offered in Kurdish, Arabic, and English, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation. Teachers receive internationally accredited certificates from Arizona State University upon completion. The program also includes flexible schedules to suit working teachers and incentive packages to recognize outstanding performers and promote professional excellence.
Global Academy for Digital Teachers
The Global Academy for Digital Teachers is a pioneering international platform for teacher development, launched by the Digital School and supported by the UAE Government’s Experience Exchange Office. It holds international accreditation from Arizona State University, USA.
The academy’s mission is to empower teachers to integrate technology effectively, foster interactive learning, and drive innovation in education. It supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education for All. The academy delivers high-quality training in seven languages—Arabic, English, French, Kurdish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Indonesian.
Expanding Access to Digital Learning Worldwide
The Digital School, founded in November 2020 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is the first accredited digital school of its kind. It aims to provide digital learning opportunities for students through flexible and blended education models.
The school primarily serves underprivileged communities, refugees, and displaced populations worldwide, using technology to deliver high-quality, accessible education. Since its launch, the Digital School has reached over 750,000 students and trained more than 23,000 digital teachers. It offers educational content in seven languages—Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Kurdish, Portuguese, and Indonesian—helping to shape the future of global digital education.
