About us
Who we are
The Zayed Education Foundation is a philanthropic initiative that invests in and connects purpose-driven young leaders from across the UAE, the Arab world and beyond, empowering them to shape a future rooted in values and service. It builds on the UAE’s long-standing belief that education and leadership are inseparable pillars of progress, and it carries that conviction onto the national, regional, and global stages.
Inspired by the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, the Foundation seeks to redefine leadership through a distinctly regional lens – one that unites heritage with innovation and character with capability. By 2035, through transformative programs in education, leadership, research, and collaboration, the Foundation aims to have empowered more than 100,000 young people to lead with integrity and empathy to deliver lasting social impact.
For a common future
At Zayed Education Foundation, we don't believe leadership is a destination or a title - it is a lifelong pursuit. It begins with knowing who you are and it grows through humility, conviction, and a sense of belonging and purpose that keeps you steady when the world shifts.
We want to help exceptional young Emiratis and Arabs living in the UAE discover that path for themselves - through education, leadership development, research and innovation.
Our goal is ambitious: to develop the next generation of leaders who will build a shared future shaped by courage and compassion and deliver lasting social impact.
Our inspiration comes from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed unity creates strength, and tradition grounds progress.
We are seeking to create a community of future leaders who are rooted in their values yet expansive in their vision, and ready to develop regional and global solutions with wisdom, integrity, and collaboration.
