Sharjah offers Dh500,000 award to two tech startups to help innovate schools
With the UAE's EdTech sector projected to grow at six per cent annually through 2030, fuelled by the nation's drive to build a knowledge-focused society and to advance skills in the age of AI and technological progress, strategic and purpose-driven support for innovators within this important industry is essential for the future.
Two key challenges identified
The first, the 'Future-Ready Skills Challenge', seeks innovative solutions to equip students with essential digital literacy, computational thinking, critical analysis, and foundational soft skills. This addresses the pressing need highlighted by the World Economic Forum, which predicts that 85 per cent of the jobs in 2030 haven't been invented yet, demanding adaptability far beyond rote learning.
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The second, the 'Arabic in Early Childhood Challenge', focuses on instilling a deep, meaningful connection with the Arabic language during the critical nursery and early primary years. It calls for engaging, age-appropriate solutions that foster fluency, cultural appreciation, and a genuine love for the language.
The challenge offers a compelling proposition for serious education innovators with a total equity-free grant pool of Dh500,000.
Two winning startups will each receive Dh250,000, coupled with the invaluable opportunity to pilot their proven solutions across four leading institutions — Alsedra Private School, Khalifah Al Hamzah American School, Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School, and Al Badee Nursery.
At its core, ASC 2025 is a powerful engine for multi-directional knowledge exchange and skill development, and as global entrepreneurs prepare to present their cutting-edge technology and fresh perspectives to be implemented within Sharjah's diverse educational landscape, Sheraa will be there to guide them on every step of the journey.
Strategic investment in education technology
ASC 2025 represents a strategic investment in knowledge exchange, skill development, and the co-creation of future-ready learning environments, and invites both local and global innovators to partner with Sharjah's educational ecosystem and propel this legacy further.
Sheraa, established to empower entrepreneurs and position Sharjah as a hub for meaningful innovation, has strategically designated Education Technology (EdTech) as one of its core Centres of Excellence.
This focus directly addresses the emirate's commitment to enhancing learning outcomes, equipping students for an uncertain future shaped by rapid technological change, and nurturing cultural identity and pride.
Building on Sharjah's strong educational foundation which encompasses some of the leading universities and institutions in the region, and also evidenced by its private schools achieving an average score of 519 in the 2021 'Progress in International Reading Literacy Study' (PIRLS), exceeding international benchmarks, ASC 2025 zeroes in on two critical and co-defined priorities in collaboration with the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and Sharjah Education Academy (SEA).
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Emirates 24/7
32 minutes ago
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC reports a record AED 14.6 billion in revenue for the first half of 2025
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Quote 'DEWA is committed to be an innovative and sustainable corporation inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Under their guidance, we are progressing in our journey towards Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and will continue to play a decisive role in Dubai's rapid progress,' said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman and MD & CEO of DEWA. 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On 10th April 2025, DEWA distributed AED 3.1 billion as dividend for H2, 2024 to its shareholders, based on a record date of 3rd April 2025. For H1, 2025, DEWA has sought and received approvals to distribute AED 3.1 billion to its shareholders based on a record date of 17th October, 2025. Audited Financials DEWA's audited financials can be found at DEWA's website: or on DFM's website Contacts About Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC DEWA was created in 1992 as a result of the merger of the Dubai Electricity Company and the Dubai Water Department. DEWA is the exclusive electricity and water utility provider in Dubai. DEWA was listed on the Dubai Financial Market in April 2022. DEWA's attractive business profile, as viewed by investors, has led to the historic success of this public listing that attracted US$ 85 billion demand and 37 times oversubscription. The Group generates, transmits and distributes electricity and potable water to end users throughout Dubai. 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Words or phrases such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'targets,' 'forecasts,' 'projects,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'schedules,' 'estimates,' 'positions,' 'pursues,' 'may,' 'could,' 'should,' 'will,' 'budgets,' 'outlook,' 'trends,' 'guidance,' 'focus,' 'on schedule,' 'on track,' 'is slated,' 'goals,' 'objectives,' 'strategies,' 'opportunities,' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the company's control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. 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