More than 11,000 GEMS students in the UAE will become the first from private schools globally to join Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative (SDI)   

Dubai, June 24, 2026: GEMS Education has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oracle to equip its students and alumni with Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative (SDI). 

This is the first time Oracle is extending the programme to a private school network. The programme has been offering access to learning content and foundational certification in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, cybersecurity, enterprise applications and cloud computing at no cost to learners from government-funded schools and NGOs worldwide.  

The programme brings industry-grade learning experiences and is oriented towards higher-education students and working professionals looking to upskill/reskill, directly into secondary education.  

Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education says, “This marks an important step in reimagining what school-based learning can look like in the age of AI and digital transformation.” 

To ensure measurable impact at scale, the MoU introduces clearly defined targets to upskill a minimum of 11,000 learners across the GEMS network over three years and certify 50% of the participants.  

“By bringing Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative into secondary education for the first time, together with GEMS Education, we are helping students gain access to the same foundational technology skills and credentials that are increasingly valued by universities and employers worldwide,” says Leopoldo Boado Lama, Senior Vice President – Middle East and Africa, Oracle.   

The agreement establishes a long-term, non-exclusive collaboration, creating flexibility for continued ecosystem expansion.