The ZAI Arabic Language Research Centre at Zayed University has unveiled the ZAI Platform, a new digital hub designed to elevate Arabic language education by offering innovative tools and resources for teachers, students, and researchers. The launch event was attended by distinguished figures, including H.E Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Prof. Michael Allen, Acting Vice President, Dr. Nadia Bhuiyan, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, and several members of the Board of Trustees of Zayed University. Underscoring the strategic importance of this initiative for advancing Arabic education across the region.

The platform supports educators with curated content, and practical tools to enhance learning outcomes, furthering Zayed University’s commitment to improving Arabic literacy and pedagogy. Through tools such as SARD (Smart Arabic Reading Diagnostic Tool), educators can diagnose students' reading abilities, supporting personalized learning and early intervention practices. Other, including the BAREC (Balanced Arabic Readability Corpus) readability evaluation tool, ensure that teaching materials align with diverse literacy levels, through a corpus of 10 million words from a wide spectrum of literary genres and topics.

Commenting on the initiative, Her Excellency Shamma Sohail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, Chair of Zayed University’s Board of Trustees, said: “The ZAI Platform embodies Zayed University’s unwavering commitment to pioneering excellence and leadership in education. The Arabic language is not just a medium of expression; it is the heartbeat of our identity. It is our collective duty to empower educators and inspire students, equipping them to be guardians of their Arabic heritage, ready to shine in an ever-connected world.”

The development of the ZAI Platform has been a collaborative effort led by Zayed University, with support from partners across the UAE. The Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is supporting the creation of the first Arabic Phonics Program, while the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, in partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi, has contributed to advancing the BAREC tool.

“At the heart of every successful learning journey are great teachers,” said Dr. Hanada Taha Thomure, Endowed Chair of Arabic Language at Zayed University, “The ZAI Platform is an essential tool for all those teachers to enable them to foster literacy, nurture critical thinking, and inspire students to embrace the richness of the Arabic language. We all have a role to play in transferring and promoting our linguistic heritage and culture to the next generations."

Aligned with national initiatives, such as the UAE’s focus on enhancing Arabic skills from an early age, the ZAI Centre focuses on developing tools, research and frameworks that respond to the evolving needs of educators and learners, contributing to the improvement of Arabic education both locally and across the Arabic-speaking world.

This platform marks a significant step in transforming how Arabic is taught and learned, empowering educators and students with accessible tools to unlock their potential and foster a lifelong connection to the Arabic language.