SSEF conducts “Hamdan Talent Scale” tests for gifted students

The programme aims to identify talented students and guide them towards appropriate developmental paths that foster the development of their talents and the investment of their abilities, using precise scientific tools and measures that ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the results. The “Hamdan Scale for Talent” is a sophisticated national scale that takes into account environmental and cultural factors, thereby enhancing the accuracy of identifying gifted individuals within their local context and supporting the development of talent identification and nurturing programmes at the national level.

Mona bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation, stated: "The implementation of these tests stems from our belief in the importance of investing in young minds, and our keenness to discover and nurture talented children in a way that directs their abilities towards promising scientific and professional paths and enhances their opportunities to achieve excellence and innovation." The programme is one of the tracks of the “Teach with the Pen” project, which aims to provide academic support to its members. Through the gifted students programme, accurate scientific support tools are provided to diagnose talent and build development plans that take into account the needs of students. This reflects the organisation's commitment to the sustainable empowerment of children.

She added: “The collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences reflects the integration of institutional efforts to support quality education, as the Foundation seeks, through these partnerships, to provide advanced programmes based on best practice.” This aligns with the UAE's aspirations to build a sustainable knowledge-based society.

Dr Mariam Al-Ghaoui, Director of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Center for Giftedness and Innovation, also confirmed: "This collaboration reflects the importance of strategic partnerships with national institutions in expanding the scope of discovering talented students, noting that the integration of efforts contributes to reaching wider segments of students and enables them to develop their abilities according to advanced scientific methodologies." This aligns with the state's focus on investing in human capital.

She added: “The implementation of this initiative falls within the framework of joint efforts to enhance the system for discovering and nurturing talented individuals, with tests applied through advanced digital mechanisms in an organised environment that supports efficient implementation and helps ensure the quality of procedures and the reliability of results.” This enhances the accuracy of identifying gifted students and supports guiding them towards appropriate paths to develop their abilities.

For his part, Dr Ahmed Abdel-Sabour, Senior Talent Discovery Specialist, explained: "The application of the Hamdan Talent Scale represents a qualitative step in enhancing the accuracy of identifying talented students, and the use of standardised tools and advanced scientific methodologies contributes to building a comprehensive picture of students' abilities." This supports guiding them towards educational and developmental paths that align with their potential and future aspirations.

He added: "The gifted student identification programme at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences is a cornerstone of developing the talent ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates, given its pivotal role in providing services to identify and nurture gifted individuals."

This collaboration is an extension of the two institutions’ efforts to support the talent ecosystem and enhance institutional integration, contributing to the development of a creative generation capable of actively contributing to the sustainable development process, while the institution continues its efforts through the “Allama Bil Qalam” project. It aims to empower children academically and build their future with confidence and care.