DUBAI: The His Highness Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School, Dubai, has marked a historic achievement as its principal, Aisha Nasim, was awarded the prestigious UAE Golden Visa in recognition of her outstanding contributions to education.
The honour, conferred by the Dubai government, acknowledges her leadership and dedication to fostering academic excellence, transforming a resource-constrained community school into one of the most progressive Pakistani institutions in Dubai.
The School Board nominated Ms Nasim for her efforts in steering the institution towards academic and administrative success, ensuring compliance with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) standards while retaining a strong focus on students’ holistic development. For a community school that operates under financial constraints but is expected to meet the same benchmarks as other private institutions, the recognition marks a milestone moment.
A journey of leadership
Ms Nasim, who has led the school for the past six years, has championed a vision of resilience and innovation. “Excellence is not about having more, but about doing more with what you have,” she has often said — a belief that reflects in the school’s strategic improvements under her leadership.
Her academic profile includes two master’s degrees — in Economics and Educational Leadership from Middlesex University — and a Cambridge Diploma in Educational Leadership. She is also a certified life coach and NLP practitioner, qualifications she has utilised to enhance both teacher training and student mentoring.
In 2022, she received the Outstanding Leadership Award at Education 2.0 in Las Vegas.
Recognition of educators
Expressing her gratitude, Ms Nasim said: “Educators in Dubai carry a tough and evolving responsibility. We work to ensure compliance with KHDA standards while nurturing students’ holistic growth. This recognition reaffirms the importance of perseverance and commitment.”
She also praised KHDA for its support in training, policy innovation and teacher development, describing the Golden Visa as a motivation for educators to approach the profession with renewed pride.
Chairman of the School Board, Muhammad Al Qamzi, congratulated Ms Nasim, calling the recognition an honour for the entire Pakistani community in Dubai. “This school has come a long way despite challenges. With the board’s support and Ms Nasim’s vision, we are confident of taking it further,” he said.
In a gesture of inclusion, Ms Nasim also nominated a senior faculty member, Farah, for the Golden Visa. Serving since 2010, Farah has led the social studies department to a “very good” KHDA rating while integrating UAE culture and heritage into the curriculum. Her recognition further demonstrates the institution’s culture of excellence and commitment to the UAE’s broader educational goals.
Community impact
The achievement has been widely welcomed within the Pakistani community in Dubai, where the school continues to serve as a model of community-driven education. Despite limited resources, it has upheld high academic standards, prioritised student well-being, and reinforced cultural values in line with UAE’s educational vision.
For many parents and community members, the recognition of Ms Nasim and her faculty reflects not only individual excellence but also the school’s broader role as a hub of learning and cultural identity for expatriate Pakistanis in the UAE.
