Latest news with #ADEK
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge launches 3rd ADEK Summer Program, expanding to more countries
18 July 2025 10:37 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge has launched the third edition of its Summer Program with 200 high-performing Emirati students from grades 10 and 11 across public, private, and Charter Schools in Abu ADEK Summer Program provides students with the opportunity to select pathways and programmes in top global universities from seven countries across four continents, empowering them to explore their passions and academic interests, develop a global mindset, expand their knowledge, and support their academic and personal Hamad Al Mheiri, ADEK Undersecretary, said: 'Following a successful programme last year, this expansion – in terms of the number of students, countries, universities involved, and the number of programs available – underlines our commitment to nurturing even more talented and aspiring students and empowering them to expand their knowledge beyond classroom boundaries.'ADEK Summer Program students are encouraged to pursue post-secondary studies internationally at top-tier universities and discover their passion, equipping them with future-ready skills for critical growth sectors in the emirate and globally."The 2025 edition features a total of 14 programmes including nine academic and five credit-bearing, aligned with key growth industries such as Medicine, AI, Neurobiology, Biotechnology, Cognitive Science, Visual Arts and Design, and Cinematography. Of these, seven are at top 20 universities, with 65 students joining programmes at pioneering institutions including Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cornell University, Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Berklee College of Music. Participation also enhances students' competitiveness for future academic opportunities, including the prestigious Abu Dhabi Scholarships Program. In 2024, ADEK's Summer Program alumni earned admission to top 50 global universities and secured placements in new Creative and Elite Majors, underscoring the program's role in developing globally competitive, industry-aligned talent.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge launches 3rd ADEK Summer Program, expanding to more countries
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge has launched the third edition of its Summer Program with 200 high-performing Emirati students from grades 10 and 11 across public, private, and Charter Schools in Abu Dhabi. The ADEK Summer Program provides students with the opportunity to select pathways and programmes in top global universities from seven countries across four continents, empowering them to explore their passions and academic interests, develop a global mindset, expand their knowledge, and support their academic and personal growth. His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, ADEK Undersecretary, said: 'Following a successful programme last year, this expansion – in terms of the number of students, countries, universities involved, and the number of programs available – underlines our commitment to nurturing even more talented and aspiring students and empowering them to expand their knowledge beyond classroom boundaries. 'ADEK Summer Program students are encouraged to pursue post-secondary studies internationally at top-tier universities and discover their passion, equipping them with future-ready skills for critical growth sectors in the emirate and globally." The 2025 edition features a total of 14 programmes including nine academic and five credit-bearing, aligned with key growth industries such as Medicine, AI, Neurobiology, Biotechnology, Cognitive Science, Visual Arts and Design, and Cinematography. Of these, seven are at top 20 universities, with 65 students joining programmes at pioneering institutions including Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cornell University, Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Berklee College of Music. Participation also enhances students' competitiveness for future academic opportunities, including the prestigious Abu Dhabi Scholarships Program. In 2024, ADEK's Summer Program alumni earned admission to top 50 global universities and secured placements in new Creative and Elite Majors, underscoring the program's role in developing globally competitive, industry-aligned talent. About Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is the Education Sector regulator across the Emirate. It oversees and provides services throughout a learner's journey from early education to university and beyond. It also champions inclusivity for People of Determination in the mainstream schooling system and by providing specialized schools. Across Early Childhood and K-12, ADEK licenses and regulates nurseries and private schools in Abu Dhabi while also legislating, mandating, and managing its own Charter Schools and 2 schools for People of Determination. ADEK also annually provides distinguished Abu Dhabi students with full scholarships and support to study at the best universities around the world. In addition, the Department audits and enhances the delivery of Higher Education in Abu Dhabi, attracting Higher Education Institutions to open the required Program or schools that serve Abu Dhabi's needs while championing a student and faculty-friendly ecosystem in the Emirate. With a vision to Empower Education. Empower Minds. Empower the Future, ADEK recognizes that every learner is different, and a diversity of teaching methods are essential for students to succeed. To that effect, ADEK partners with stakeholders to enable a great education system to flourish in Abu Dhabi and nurture future-ready graduates who have the 21st-century skills required to sustain and carry forward Abu Dhabi's vision.
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Explained: 'Grade inflation' that prompted ban on new admissions at some UAE schools
As concerns around inflated grading gains traction across certain schools in the UAE's private education sector, many other institutions are also stepping up efforts to safeguard academic integrity. Most recently, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) temporarily barred 12 private schools in the Capital from enrolling students in Grades 11 and 12 due to grade inflation. With education regulators intensifying their oversight of academic records, schools in the country are not just reacting to compliance requirements — they are proactively implementing quality assurance and fairness in their assessment practices. In an interview with Khaleej Times, school leaders explained how they are aligning predicted grades with actual student outcomes in external assessments such as NGRT (New Group Reading Test), Progress Tests, and international benchmark exams. These comparisons help ensure accountability, sharpen teaching practices, and align internal evaluations with global standards. Understanding grade inflation Grade inflation refers to the trend of rising student grades over time without a corresponding increase in academic achievement. When students receive higher marks without demonstrating deeper learning, those grades become inflated. This shift undermines the reliability of grades as a true measure of academic performance, making it harder for stakeholders — such as parents, educators, and college admissions officers — to accurately assess student capabilities, allocate resources effectively, or hold students accountable. But even as fresh discussions around this emerge in the country, concerns about the credibility of course grades are not new. In fact, grade inflation has been appearing to be accelerating, even among elite institutions like the Ivy League. For instance, The Daily Princetonian reported that 'The average GPA (at Princeton University) for the 2022–2023 academic year was 3.56 out of 4.00, an increase from the 2018–2019 average of 3.46.' While notable, this increase is still lower than Harvard's average GPA of 3.80 in 2020–21 academic year and Yale's 3.70 in 2022–23. A similar pattern has been unfolding in the UK. Both Oxford and Cambridge have seen a growing number of students earning first-class degrees over the past decade. However, Oxford's rate of inflation has remained lower compared to other institutions. Ensuring consistency Lyudmyla Klykova, Founding Principal at Hampton Heights International School under the Woodlem Education group, highlighted how their commitment to compliance is embedded in their assessment culture. 'We place deep importance on compliance and transparency to meet rigorous assessment standards. As part of our education group, we engage in cross-campus audits where assessment policies, marking schemes, and sample student work are reviewed collaboratively to ensure consistency and adherence to external benchmarks.' The school has implemented a multi-layered internal system to detect discrepancies and support staff in maintaining grading integrity. 'Our internal quality assurance system rigorously tracks discrepancies between predicted grades and actual student performance on standardised or external exams such as NGRT, Progress Tests, and Cambridge Checkpoint assessments. Data from internal assessments and predicted grades is systematically compared against external results each term. Any significant gaps trigger a detailed analysis led by the Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Department.' These efforts are reinforced with professional development initiatives. 'Teachers participate in internal training sessions focused on aligning assessments with the British Curriculum and Cambridge International standards. These sessions include moderation workshops where teachers collaboratively review student work to establish consistent marking practices and grading standards. Additionally, our senior staff lead workshops on developing high-quality assessments and using detailed rubrics to ensure transparency and fairness.' To further align with international best practices, the school encourages staff to attend training organised by reputed boards. 'Many also participate in Cambridge examiner training to gain insights into external assessment expectations. Through this combination of internal and external training, our teachers build shared understanding, maintain high standards, and ensure that assessment practices are both rigorous and fair.' Such data-driven approaches not only enhance accountability but also support school improvement efforts. 'Moderation sessions and data review meetings help refine prediction accuracy and maintain accountability. Patterns identified across subjects or year groups inform broader school improvement plans.' Global alignment in assessment standards For Global Indian International School (GIIS) Dubai, alignment across the group's 64 schools in 11 countries plays a central role in preventing grade inflation. Anita Singh, Principal of GIIS Dubai, said, 'To ensure fair practices and prevent grade inflation, we review the worksheets or revision work given to students. The format/blueprint is discussed with students to improve their understanding and how they should answer it. Webinar is conducted for parents before assessments for their understanding.' She explained how the school's group-wide coordination contributes to maintaining consistency. 'GIIS Dubai is part of the Global Schools Group, Singapore, with more than 64 schools across 11 countries. We take education very seriously. To ensure compliance and transparency, we follow the practice of setting a common paper for all GIIS schools across different countries. The common paper set by one school is reviewed, revised as per expected standards and shared before the assessments. This is done in senior school and now we are implementing it in primary and middle school too. This helps raise standards and ensures no grade inflation.' The school also uses assessment data to pinpoint skill gaps and take corrective measures. 'Data analysis is done for internal assessments and targets are set phase wise and grade wise based on students' performance. Data triangulation is done with external benchmarks to identify learning gaps for skills and competences. If the actuals are not at par with the predicted scores, a data review meeting is held with the subject head and SLT to brainstorm and draw strategies for the red flags and bridge the gaps.' Progress is closely monitored through monthly reviews. 'The Academic Head holds monthly campus review meetings to discuss the progress which is tracked to ensure the actions taken bring positive results.'
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi students gear up for success with ADEK
16 July 2025 13:08 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has launched its Pre-Departure Week programme to prepare 300 students from ADEK Scholarship programmes for their upcoming academic journeys in collaboration with 25 national and international partners, the programme equips students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to represent the UAE with pride and thrive as global Pre-Departure Week offers a holistic preparation experience covering academic readiness, cultural adaptation, psychological resilience, and essential life skills. Sessions include leadership development, financial literacy, personal safety abroad, and wellbeing strategies to help students navigate life and studies in their host countries partners include the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Government Enablement, Abu Dhabi Police, Sandooq Al Watan, National Library and Archives, National Rehabilitation Centre, Family Care Authority, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, General Authority of Islamic Affairs (AWQAF), Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA), 42 Abu Dhabi, International Centre for Culinary Arts, International Etiquette and Protocol Academy, and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, along with nine foreign embassies contributing their expertise and Pre-Departure Week is structured around 11 core pillars, developed based on insights from students, parents, and industry partners to provide comprehensive support beyond academic preparation. These pillars cover national identity and cultural preservation, guiding students on how to represent the UAE with integrity, as well as understanding immigration laws and global mobility to ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities programme also addresses health and safety protocols, including infectious disease prevention and personal wellbeing management, and equips students with knowledge of professional etiquette and diplomatic conduct to prepare them for diverse social and professional these pillars ensure students are fully prepared to integrate confidently into their host communities and excel academically and theory, the programme includes hands-on workshops, such as interactive simulations and concludes with a global culinary class at the International Center For Culinary Arts - Abu Dhabi, where students gain practical cooking skills and nutrition knowledge essential for confident, independent living date, ADEK has awarded 2,190 scholarships, enabling students to pursue higher education across more than 20 countries. These figures demonstrate the UAE's commitment to nurturing future generations of global citizens by ensuring they excel academically, integrate confidently into their new environments, and uphold the nation's values abroad.
UAE Moments
6 days ago
- UAE Moments
Abu Dhabi Bans 12 Schools from Enrolling Grades 11 & 12
Abu Dhabi just put the brakes on 12 private schools, stopping them from enrolling students in Grades 11 and 12—at least for now. The move comes from ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge), and it's all part of a wider crackdown to keep high school grades real and reliable. Why the Ban Happened ADEK kicked off a full-on investigation after spotting suspicious gaps between students' school grades and how they actually performed on external tests. The numbers weren't adding up, and that raised some serious red flags. The aim? To make sure no one's faking the grade—and that diplomas actually reflect what students learned. Schools Now Under Review The schools under review now have to hand over their full academic breakdowns. We're talking transcripts, grading systems, test samples, and even graduation requirement checklists. It's a deep dive to find out if grades were padded or if credits were awarded without real performance. What's Coming Next This is just Phase One. ADEK says it will soon widen the review to include students from Grades 9 through 11. They'll also compare internal grades with external exams to spot any long-term patterns or school-wide issues.
