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Abu Dhabi to introduce mandatory parent-school contracts in new academic year

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Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced a groundbreaking initiative that will require all private schools in the emirate to implement an annual Parent-School Contract, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. This new requirement aims to establish clear expectations and mutual responsibilities between schools and parents, ensuring a more collaborative approach to student well-being and academic success.

Clear Expectations and Mutual Accountability

The Parent-School Contract will be mandatory for all parents before student enrolment or re-enrolment and must be signed each year. Schools that fail to comply with this regulation face legal consequences and potential penalties.

One of the central features of the contract is that parents must formally acknowledge and accept a wide range of school policies. These include expectations around student behavior, adherence to school values, responsible digital conduct, and cultural sensitivity. ADEK’s goal with this initiative is to ensure that all parties are aligned in their commitment to a positive and transparent educational experience.

Monitoring students’ progress

As part of the new policy, schools will be required to use multiple platforms — including emails, SMS, apps, and printed letters — to keep parents informed about their children’s progress. In emergencies, a group notification system must be in place to deliver urgent updates promptly, ensuring that parents are always kept in the loop.

In addition to these measures, schools are encouraged to engage parents in discussions around healthy nutrition and provide regular updates on student performance. Schools will also be required to facilitate direct communication with support staff, including counselors, inclusion assistants, and social workers, to address any academic or personal concerns a student may face.

Parent Code of Conduct: Upholding Values and Integrity

As part of the contract, parents will be expected to commit to a Code of Conduct that reflects the ethical and cultural values promoted by ADEK. Among the key expectations outlined in the contract are:

  • Respect for the School’s Mission and Environment: Parents must engage with the school community in a professional and respectful manner, treating all members—including staff, students, security, and maintenance workers—with dignity.
  • Support for Student Behavior Standards: Parents are expected to ensure that their children adhere to the school’s rules and discipline standards.
  • Social Media Responsibility: The contract includes a provision that parents should avoid posting defamatory or culturally inappropriate content about school-related matters on social media.
  • Academic Integrity: Parents must support their children’s academic efforts, supervise homework, and provide honest documentation and communication with the school.
  • Engagement in School Activities: Parents are expected to attend parent-teacher meetings, cooperate with the school’s recommendations, and support additional learning interventions when necessary.

Failure to meet these expectations could result in restricted access to school premises, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a respectful and supportive relationship between families and schools.

Schools’ Responsibilities: Transparency and Support

Schools will also have specific obligations. These include maintaining open and respectful communication with parents, sharing curriculum details and assessment strategies, and encouraging active parental involvement in both academic and extracurricular activities.

Schools will be required to organise at least one parent-teacher meeting per term to ensure regular interaction between educators and families. They will also be expected to promote mental health awareness and digital well-being, fostering an environment that supports the holistic development of students. Additionally, schools must maintain fair, VAT-free fee structures and obtain parental consent before sharing student data with third parties.

A Step Towards Stronger Collaboration

The introduction of the Parent-School Contract marks a new chapter in Abu Dhabi’s educational landscape, emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and mutual responsibility. By outlining clear expectations for both parents and schools, ADEK aims to create an environment that supports the well-being and academic growth of students while fostering stronger partnerships between families and educational institutions.

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Dubai launches world’s first human–machine collaboration classification system

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Dubai Future Foundation, has approved the launch of a groundbreaking global initiative. This classification system clearly distinguishes the role of humans and machines in creating creative, scientific, academic, and intellectual content.

A Transparent Approach to the Future of Content Creation

In a statement, Sheikh Hamdan said: “Distinguishing between human creativity and artificial intelligence has become a real challenge in light of today’s rapid technological advances. This calls for a new approach to recognise the growing role of intelligent machines. That’s why we launched the world’s first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons, a classification system that brings transparency to how research documents, publications, and content are created.”

He urged researchers, publishers, writers, designers, and content creators worldwide to adopt this system responsibly and in a manner that benefits society.

As part of the initiative, all Dubai Government entities have been instructed to implement the classification system in their research and knowledge-driven activities.

About the Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) Classification

Developed by the Dubai Future Foundation, the HMC classification system introduces a new standard for content transparency. It allows users to visually identify the extent of human vs. machine contribution in the creation of any piece of work, from research reports and academic papers to design and digital media.

The classification applies across multiple sectors, including research, publishing, content creation, and design, all of which are increasingly influenced by automation and AI.

The Five Main HMC Icons

The system features five core icons to represent levels of human–machine collaboration:

  • All Human – Fully created by a human, no machine involvement
  • Human-led – Created by a human with machine assistance for accuracy or improvement
  • Machine Assisted – Collaborative creation between human and machine
  • Machine-led – Machine-driven content with human verification
  • All Machine – Fully generated by machines, without human input

In addition, nine functional icons highlight specific stages where collaboration took place, including ideation, data collection, analysis, interpretation, writing, visuals, and translation.

While the icons don’t quantify the exact level of machine contribution, they offer a transparent, standardised way to disclose collaboration, empowering creators and consumers alike.

A Global Call to Action

The HMC classification is designed to be adaptable across industries and compatible with all types of media, including text, image, and video content.

To learn more about how to use the HMC icons and download the full system, visit: www.dubaifuture.ae/hmc

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Free coffee, AI tributes, and love across generations mark Dubai Ruler’s birthday

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From complimentary coffee in Dubai and London cafes to touching AI-generated video tributes, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was honoured across generations and platforms as he marked his 76th birthday on Tuesday, July 15. The day saw a blend of heartfelt gestures, both online and in real life, from local businesses surprising customers with free coffee to family members sharing nostalgic, tech-powered tributes that celebrated his remarkable journey as a leader, father, and visionary.

Marking the occasion, Saddle Cafe, an Emirati brand with branches in Dubai and London, surprised customers by picking up the tab for their drinks. Customers were delighted to find their receipts stamped with the message: “Your coffee is on the house in celebration of the birthday of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

The gesture quickly gained attention on social media, where users praised it as a reflection of the UAE’s values of generosity, community, and leadership.

“This is what the UAE is all about,” wrote one X (formerly Twitter) user.
“A beautiful tribute for a beloved leader.”

#MohammedBinRashid trends across social platforms

The birthday of Sheikh Mohammed saw an outpouring of love online. Social media platforms were filled with rare photographs, leadership quotes, and prayers wishing the leader good health and a long life.

Many referred to him as a “dream maker” and “nation builder,” praising his vision, resilience, and lasting impact on the UAE and the wider Arab world.

“May Allah bless our leader, the man who turned Dubai into a global icon,” read one tribute.

A family tribute powered by AI

In a modern twist to traditional celebrations, Sheikh Mohammed’s children and grandchildren honoured him with AI-generated video tributes, creatively blending technology with emotion.

The widely shared videos chronicled Sheikh Mohammed’s journey from childhood and military service to public life and leadership, offering a deeply personal look at his legacy.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, posted a moving video showing AI-rendered moments with his father, from his boyhood to their more recent appearances together. The video struck an emotional chord with thousands across the UAE and beyond.

Created using advanced AI tools, the videos conveyed messages of pride, gratitude, and admiration for a leader who has inspired generations.

A legacy of leadership

According to the UAE Government Portal, Sheikh Mohammed was born in 1949. He began his public service career in 1968 as Head of Dubai Police and Public Security, became the UAE’s first Minister of Defence in 1971, and served as Crown Prince of Dubai from 1995 to 2006. He has been Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE since January 2006.

From free coffee cups to cutting-edge tech tributes, this year’s celebration of Sheikh Mohammed’s birthday reflected not only his profound influence on the UAE’s past and present but also the deep affection and admiration he continues to inspire across generations and borders.

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Dubai inspections target delivery riders in road safety crackdown

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with multiple government agencies, has carried out more than 1,000 inspections targeting delivery motorcycle riders across the city, as part of an ongoing campaign to boost road safety and enforce regulatory compliance in the fast-growing delivery sector.

The joint effort included participation from Dubai Police, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Dubai Municipality, and the Dubai Health Authority.

The inspections focused on high-traffic areas such as Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah, and Motor City, according to Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the RTA’s Licensing Agency.

Key violations detected:

  • Riders not wearing protective gear
  • Lack of certified training
  • Reckless driving
  • Operating vehicles without proper documentation

As a result, 19 motorcycles were impounded, and multiple warnings were issued.

To support education and compliance, the RTA also distributed QR codes linking riders to safety videos and training resources in multiple languages.

“It’s essential for delivery companies and riders to strictly follow all safety and licensing rules,” said Mahboob.
“This is not just about regulations, it’s about protecting lives and improving service quality across the emirate.”

Why it matters

With the rise in food delivery and e-commerce, delivery motorcycles have become a common sight on Dubai’s roads, and ensuring rider safety directly impacts everyone who shares the road.

The RTA confirmed that it will continue to run regular joint inspection and awareness campaigns to maintain a safe and sustainable delivery environment.

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