How Dubai Schools Are Shaping Future CEOs From Age 5

In the Middle East, and especially in Dubai, education is rapidly evolving to align with global innovation trends. With students launching startups as early as age 13, schools are reimagining how they prepare children for life beyond the classroom. Today, many institutions are embedding entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and artificial intelligence (AI) into their curricula, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy.

“We have a 13-year-old student who’s already created his own brand and business,” said James Efford, Elementary Principal at Dubai Schools, Al Khawaneej, part of the Taaleem Group. “He’s been passionate about horse riding since early childhood and now runs a related clothing brand. At a recent school meeting, he was handing out business cards and networking with confidence. His effective use of AI is even inspiring our staff”.

To nurture this kind of mindset early, the school has developed hands-on, entrepreneurial initiatives. “At the start of the year, each grade level receives an investment of Dh500,” Efford explained. “Students are encouraged to identify a market gap—often something their parents would want—and create a product or service around it. For example, after reading the story of the Gingerbread Man, our kindergarteners baked cookies and sold them for a significant profit. It was a fun and educational experience that taught them essential entrepreneurship skills and money management techniques”.

Efford made his comments during a panel discussion at the “Future of Learning: Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship” event, held at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City. The event brought together policymakers, educators, startup founders, and investors to explore how schools in the UAE can nurture the next generation of innovators through AI campus programs and entrepreneurship in UAE.

Rethinking the Curriculum

For many educators, preparing students for an entrepreneurial and digital future requires a shift in mindset. “Our existing curriculum doesn’t always allow much flexibility,” noted Baz Nijjar, Vice President of Education Technology and Digital Innovation at GEMS Education. “But we have to find ways to be creative”.

To bring real-world relevance into classrooms, GEMS invites industry experts to review student projects. “When professionals provide feedback, it boosts students’ confidence and helps them see themselves as creators or entrepreneurs in a safe and encouraging environment,” Nijjar explained. “We’ve seen many students go on to launch businesses after finishing school or university”.

This evolving approach aligns with the broader shift toward design thinking and experiential learning in AI-powered schools across the region.

Cultivating Innovation Through Projects

Wissam Gach, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Canadian University Dubai, shared how his institution fosters innovation through capstone projects. These projects, paired with strong mentorship, give students the opportunity to work on real-world problems and explore interdisciplinary solutions.

“We allow students to choose topics they care about—issues that reflect real challenges,” said Gach. “Through collaboration across disciplines like science, health, environment, art, and artificial intelligence, students learn to approach problems creatively.”

Gach also emphasized the importance of redesigning academic programs to incorporate leadership principles, ethics, policymaking, and the design thinking process, alongside entrepreneurship training. “These elements are essential if we want students to master the tools and mindset needed for the future,” he added.
From financial literacy workshops to AI campus initiatives, Dubai schools are leading the way in nurturing young innovators. By embedding entrepreneurship at a young age, students are gaining more than academic knowledge—they’re developing the confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills that will define the CEOs and changemakers of tomorrow.