A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Education visited Melbourne from 25–29 November 2024.

The delegation were here to learn about our school and tertiary education system, teacher training, curriculum development and implementation, digital education and safety, student choices, inclusive education, VET pathways and related research.

The delegation was headed by Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri – Minister of Education of the United Arab Emirates. The Minister was accompanied by Her Excellency Hajer Al Thehli, the Secretary General of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD), a number of senior staff from the Ministry of Education and the EHCD and the UAE Embassy in Canberra.

As the UAE is a federation of 7 self-governing emirates, they were also interested to understand roles and responsibilities between the Australian Federal Government and States, including in the development and delivery of school curricula.

Study Melbourne and the Victorian Department of Education coordinated a program that included meetings with a number of national and state regulators, curriculum bodies, teacher training and development organisations, a meeting with a Victorian based infrastructure company that builds schools and education projects globally, and visits to 3 universities and 2 schools.

We look forward to working with the UAE Ministry of Education, to facilitate further learnings and outcomes with our Victorian based universities, and teacher training organisations.