ADEK Summer Program 2025 Expands Globally, Offering More Opportunities for Emirati Students

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has launched the third edition of its Summer Program, with 200 exceptional Emirati students from grades 10 and 11 participating. Drawn from public, private, and Charter Schools in Abu Dhabi, these students will gain access to top global universities across seven countries and four continents.

The ADEK Summer Program 2025 is designed to help students explore their passions, build a global perspective, and enhance their academic and personal growth. By offering diverse pathways and programmes at leading universities, the initiative equips participants with future-ready skills for key industries.

Expanding Horizons for Young Talent

Commenting on the programme’s growth, His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of ADEK, said:

“Following a successful programme last year, this expansion – in terms of the number of students, countries, universities involved, and the number of programmes 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.”

This year’s edition includes 14 programmes, featuring nine academic tracks and five credit-bearing courses. These are aligned with growth sectors such as Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Neurobiology, Biotechnology, Cognitive Science, Visual Arts and Design, and Cinematography.

Partnerships with Top Global Universities

Of the 14 programmes, seven are hosted by top 20 universities worldwide. A total of 65 students will study at world-leading institutions including:

Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cornell University
Columbia University
University of California, Berkeley
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Berklee College of Music

Through these placements, students gain access to cutting-edge research, academic mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences.

Building Global Competitiveness

Beyond immediate learning, participation in the ADEK Summer Program strengthens students’ competitiveness for elite scholarships and global university admissions.

In 2024, alumni from the programme earned spots at top 50 global universities and secured placements in Creative and Elite Majors. These outcomes highlight how the programme develops globally competitive, industry-aligned talent prepared to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s economic and social development.

Empowering the Next Generation

The ADEK Summer Program reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering talent, supporting youth, and advancing the emirate’s knowledge economy. By providing access to world-class learning and industries, the initiative helps shape a generation of leaders equipped for a rapidly changing global landscape.

For more information, visit adek.gov.ae or follow ADEK on social media:

Instagram: @adek_insta
Twitter: ADEK_tweet
Facebook: Department of Education and Knowledge
YouTube: ADEK Abu Dhabi

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.