| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sara Awad Issa Musallam |
| Profession(s) | Politician, Businesswoman |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height (approx.) | 5' 5" (165 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Politics | |
| Political Journey | • 2019: Appointed as the Chairperson, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) • 2019: Sworn in as a Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council • 2022: Appointed as the Minister of State for Early Education in the United Arab Emirates Cabinet |
| Personal Life | |
| Birthplace | United Arab Emirates |
| Nationality | Emirati |
| College/University | • American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates • Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi |
| Educational Qualification(s) | • A Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Sciences in Business Administration from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi • A Higher Diploma in Financial and Banking Services from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi • Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the American University of Sharjah |
| Religion | Islam |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Sara Musallam
- Sara Musallam grew up in a Muslim family in the United Arab Emirates.
- After completing her formal education, Sara Musallam began her career as a business analyst at BP International, where she gained experience in private sector.
- She then served as the Vice President of the Aerospace, Renewables, and ICT Platforms at Mubadala Investment Company, a government-owned investment group in Abu Dhabi.
- Later, she joined the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), where she held senior roles such as Executive Director of Licensing and Director of Private Schools and Quality Assurance.
- On 21 January 2019, Sara was appointed as the Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the highest policymaking council in Abu Dhabi.
- On 10 March 2019, Musallam was sworn in as a Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, a key executive policy-making body in the United Arab Emirates.
- She also headed the Council’s Human Resources and Executive Management Committee, overseeing strategic HR and Emiratisation policies across entities.
- From 2019 to 2021, Sara led significant education reforms in the UAE.
- Under her leadership, in 2020, the management of various government schools in Abu Dhabi was shifted to private charter operators, which provided free education to Emirati pupils living in the neighbourhood where the school was located. The first phase of the program provided about 15,000 seats for new pupils in 2020, across 12 public schools, nine of which are based in Abu Dhabi city and three in Al Ain.
- She also promoted digital literacy and coding skills in the classrooms by launching free coding initiatives like 42 Abu Dhabi in September 2020, stating that
Coding is no longer reserved for ICT specialists…”
- She also laid an emphasis on parental engagement through events like Parenthood: The Unconference held in Abu Dhabi.
- From 2020 to 2021, Sara served as the Vice Chairman of the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications (du).
- From November 2020 to February, Musallam served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities.
- On 15 March 2022, Sara Musallam attended and participated in events like the World Early Childhood Development Forum in Abu Dhabi, which reflected her deep engagement with policies affecting children from early years.
- On 22 May 2022, Sara Musallam was appointed to the United Arab Emirates Cabinet as the Minister of State for Early Education, where she oversaw the newly established Federal Authority for Early Education.
Sara Musallam describing the new education policies as the Minister of State for Early Education
- She was sworn in as the Minister of State for Early Education during a high-profile ceremony on 7 June 2022, alongside other senior education ministers, under the guidance of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
- As part of her mandate, she focused on developing comprehensive plans to follow up on the child’s development from birth to the fourth grade.
Sara Musallam during her meet with Indian Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan at the inauguration of Future Changemakers Summer Bootcamp, in New Delhi
- In February 2023, Sara visited institutions like Zayed University which highlighted her involvement in promoting interdisciplinary and active learning in higher education aligned with national plans like Centennial‑2071 and Projects of the 50.
- She is also a chartered financial analyst.
- Sara has served the Boards of various Councils and Committees including, Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Life Quality and Wellbeing Committee of Abu Dhabi Executive Committee, UAE Cabinet’s Education and Human Resources Council, Board of Trustees of Khalifa Award for Education, Board of Trustees of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, Al Yah Satellite Communications (YahSat), Daman (National Health Insurance), Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, Khazna Data Center, UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, Board of Trustees of Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, and Board of Trustees of MODON.
Sara Musallam during a delegation
- She has held several positions in leading entities in the United Arab Emirates, including the Vice Chairman at Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co. PSJC, the Director at Khazna Data Center Ltd, and a Trustee at the Saudi Industrial Property Authority.
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