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.