GEMS Education has partnered with Oracle to give thousands of students access to AI skills and industry-recognised certifications, helping prepare young people for university and careers in a digital economy.
The agreement marks a significant milestone for UAE education. GEMS Education has become the first private school network in the world to join Oracle University‘s Skills Development Initiative. Over the next three years, more than 11,000 secondary students and alumni across the UAE will have access to learning pathways in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data analytics.
Why AI Skills Matter for UAE Students
As artificial intelligence continues to shape industries around the world, schools are increasingly looking at ways to provide students with practical digital skills alongside academic learning.
Through this collaboration, GEMS students and alumni will gain access to Oracle MyLearn, a platform that offers structured learning pathways designed to support learners from beginner to advanced levels. Students will be able to study topics including artificial intelligence, generative AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, analytics and enterprise applications.
Importantly, learners can earn digital badges and attempt certification exams free of charge. These qualifications can help strengthen university applications and future employment opportunities.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education said,
“The future competitiveness of nations will be defined by their ability to develop digitally fluent, innovation-minded talent. In the UAE, technology, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy are central to the country’s long-term vision, and education has a critical role to play in supporting that ambition. Through our partnership with Oracle, we are giving our secondary students access to industry-recognised learning experiences and credentials that have traditionally been available only at university or in the early stages of a professional career. This marks an important step in reimagining what school-based learning can look like in the age of AI and digital transformation. Together, we are helping build a future-ready talent pipeline that will enable young people to thrive in and contribute to the UAE’s knowledge-based economy.”
GEMS Education AI Skills Programme Targets 11,000 Learners
The programme introduces clear goals across the GEMS network. At least 11,000 learners are expected to take part over the next three years, while 50 per cent of participants are expected to achieve certification.
This approach moves beyond simple digital awareness and focuses on helping students develop measurable skills and recognised credentials.
Meanwhile, Oracle will bring its expertise in AI, cloud technologies and enterprise solutions to support learners as they develop knowledge that is increasingly valued by universities and employers.
Leopoldo Boado Lama, Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Oracle said,
“The UAE is setting a global benchmark for how nations can prepare their citizens for an AI-driven future. By bringing Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative into secondary education for the first time, together with GEMS Education, we are helping students gain access to the same foundational technology skills and credentials that are increasingly valued by universities and employers worldwide. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to developing future-ready talent and ensuring young people are equipped to participate in, and help shape, the digital economy”.
Supporting the UAE’s Knowledge Economy
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s wider ambitions to strengthen its knowledge economy and develop home-grown talent in emerging technologies.
Furthermore, providing access to university-level learning while students are still at school could help bridge the gap between education and employment. As demand grows for digital skills across sectors, programmes like this offer young people practical opportunities to develop expertise before entering higher education or the workforce.
For parents, educators and school leaders, the collaboration highlights how schools are increasingly combining academic excellence with industry partnerships to ensure students are equipped for the opportunities and challenges of an AI-driven world.
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Further Reading
- GEMS Education Appoints Richard Jones to Lead Flagship GEMS School of Research and Innovation
- GEMS Education Launches New Founders School in Nad Al Hamar