The 9th of October 2025 was a spectacular evening for the UAE education community, culminating in the Education Achievement Awards 2025 gala dinner. As a prominent voice for inclusion in education, Louise Dawson was deeply honoured to be invited as a judge for these prestigious awards and to present the trophies for four key categories: Science Teacher of the Year, Maths Teacher of the Year, Languages Teacher of the Year, and Arabic/Islamic Teacher of the Year.
The event, which is in its second edition and continues to honour excellence across Dubai’s rapidly expanding school sector, was proudly sponsored by Huawei and other significant education companies operating within the UAE. The evening was expertly hosted by the charismatic duo of Tom Urquhart, the respected British journalist and radio host), and Daniel Fewtrell, a senior leader in regional events and sponsorship for StratosPulse.
Celebrating the Heart of Education
The atmosphere throughout the evening was truly wonderful. Louise had a fantastic time seated with long-time friend and respected colleague Berna Bouwer, Corporate Head of Inclusion at GEMS Education, David Irish, Senior Vice President of Academic Excellence for GEMS Education and of course members of Louise Dawon’s very own team. The evening was defined by a spirit of shared passion, with our table cheering enthusiastically for every single nominee in every category. The essence of the night is not just about the winners, but about recognising the relentless hard work and dedication of all education staff throughout the year.
The Unsung Hero: Recognising All School Staff
For us, one of the most significant and moving moments was the presentation of the Unsung Hero of the Year award. This award, which acknowledged two winners, celebrated an often-overlooked group of vital staff members. We were particularly thrilled to see that one of the winners was Zahid Abbasi—a security guard from Wales International School.
It is absolutely paramount to recognise that support staff, including security, cleaning, and administrative teams, are the essential backbone of every thriving school community. Without their dedication, schools simply wouldn’t function as they do. To celebrate a staff member like Zahid Abbasi on such a prestigious stage was a powerful moment for educational equity and inclusion, reminding everyone that excellence is found in every role.
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