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Fifteen gifted students sponsored by Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences are participating in the FitzEd Summer School 2026, organised by Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, alongside more than 280 students representing 24 countries. The programme forms part of the Foundation’s commitment to providing international educational opportunities that strengthen students’ academic and research capabilities while preparing them for future studies at leading universities worldwide.
Designed for international students aged 14 to 18, the programme offers an immersive academic experience based on the University of Cambridge’s teaching and learning approach. Courses are delivered by academic staff from the University and its colleges, enabling participants to deepen their subject knowledge while developing critical thinking, research skills and independent learning.
During his visit to Fitzwilliam College, H.E. Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, met with the Foundation’s students participating in the programme and learned about their academic experiences and the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their participation.
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E. Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami was received by Baroness Sally Morgan, Master of Fitzwilliam College; Mr Rod Cantrill, Bursar of Fitzwilliam College; and Dr Peter Bolgar, Fellow, College Lecturer and Director of FitzEd Educational Programmes. During the meeting, the College’s leadership presented the programme’s academic framework and objectives, highlighting its role in helping international students broaden their knowledge, develop their skills and prepare for admission to leading universities around the world.
H.E. Al Qutami affirmed that supporting gifted students and providing them with high-quality educational opportunities remains a core pillar of the Foundation’s mission. He noted that international academic experiences broaden students’ horizons, strengthen both their academic and personal development, and enhance their ability to learn and thrive in multicultural environments.
H.E. Al Qutami said: “Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences is committed to creating educational pathways that enable gifted students to realise their full potential and benefit from world-class academic experiences. Their participation in the FitzEd programme provides a valuable opportunity to experience the University of Cambridge’s academic environment and teaching methods while developing their research, analytical, communication and collaborative skills, supporting their academic aspirations and future success.”
H.E. Al Qutami added that the Foundation’s partnership with Fitzwilliam College reflects its commitment to building meaningful collaborations with leading international educational institutions and expanding opportunities for gifted students to participate in programmes that combine academic excellence with practical learning, in line with the UAE’s vision of investing in human capital and preparing future generations to contribute to the knowledge economy.
Representatives of Fitzwilliam College also highlighted the progress of the partnership with Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, which
began in the summer of 2025. They noted that students from the Foundation’s inaugural cohort achieved outstanding academic results, with several receiving awards in recognition of their performance, paving the way for an expanded intake in the programme’s second year.
Through initiatives such as this, the Foundation continues to strengthen its international partnerships and educational programmes aimed at nurturing gifted students, providing them with advanced learning environments that help them discover their potential, develop their talents and prepare for the next stages of their academic journey.