Dr. Sumaya Saqr | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

Research Focus

Sumaya Saqr’s research focuses on enhancing educational practices through collaborative action research, curriculum development, and student-teacher partnerships. She is particularly interested in English language education, questioning strategies, and inclusive pedagogy. A notable project she co-investigated—“Fostering Deep Learning and Engagement Through Questioning”—uses Lesson Study methodology to improve classroom dialogue and stimulate higher-order thinking. Her contributions often involve multi-lingual data support, ethical approvals, and dissemination of findings, showcasing her well-rounded research capabilities. Sumaya’s work aligns with national education priorities, particularly the UAE’s vision for inclusive and high-quality education. She frequently collaborates with international and local researchers, ensuring her work remains globally informed and locally relevant. Through her academic and practical engagements, Sumaya actively contributes to the global discourse on effective teaching practices, equity in education, and evidence-based pedagogical strategies.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While specific awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed, Sumaya’s professional milestones signify a highly respected career in academia and educational development. Her appointments to internal leadership roles—such as Acting Head of ECAE’s Academic Support Department—reflect institutional trust in her organizational and academic abilities. She has been repeatedly chosen to collaborate on high-impact research funded by ECAE, including the “Fostering Deep Learning and Engagement Through Questioning” project (AED 13,000 funding), highlighting her role in shaping pedagogical innovation. Her selection to lead practice-based teaching placements and curriculum design modules across PGDE and M.Ed. programs further illustrates her recognition as an expert in her field. Her progression from school teaching to educational supervision and into higher education reveals a career marked by continuous excellence and recognition from both governmental and academic institutions.

🛠️ Skills

Sumaya Saqr brings a diverse and rich skill set to the field of education. Her core competencies include curriculum design, English language pedagogy, lesson planning, academic supervision, and program accreditation. She is proficient in developing and delivering teacher education programs for both pre-service and in-service contexts. Her leadership and organizational skills are evident in her role managing academic support services at ECAE. Sumaya is also skilled in collaborative action research, especially using methodologies like Lesson Study. She is experienced in quality assurance, student assessment, and multilingual documentation. With NCFE and ADVETI certifications, she’s adept at vocational assessment and educational quality assurance. Additionally, her cross-cultural communication skills and bilingual fluency (English/Arabic) support her role in diverse academic settings. Her integrated expertise ensures she not only teaches but also shapes the teaching practices of future educators across the UAE and beyond.

Conclusion