Over 500 students were selected from over 2,200 applications, after undergoing rigorous in-person assessments.

Dubai, UAE – Building on the success of the GEMS Genius Scholarship launch in 2025, GEMS Education held a large-scale open day at 43 of its schools across the UAE and Qatar. The participating schools welcomed over 500 shortlisted students and their families, selected from more than 2,200 applications from across the UAE and Qatar, to move on to the next stage of this prestigious competitive journey.

The GEMS Genius Scholarship is a leading merit-based initiative that aims to discover, nurture, and support high-potential students across a wide range of talents and abilities. The initiative focuses on developing each child's "latent genius," cultivating their unique abilities, and supporting them on their journey to becoming confident, capable, and well-rounded young adults. Applications are open to high-achieving students in Year 10 and 12, both within and outside GEMS schools across the region. The scholarships will be awarded as tuition fee reductions for two academic years, with the value varying depending on the school and each student's academic record, and the possibility of up to 100% tuition fee support. Students awarded the scholarship can reapply after the two-year period.

Commenting on the broader importance of the initiative, Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education, said: “ This initiative is closely aligned with the UAE’s national priorities in talent development, educational excellence, and building future skills. By discovering and nurturing students with strong potential in academic, creative, leadership, and other areas, the initiative contributes to preparing a confident, skilled, and socially responsible generation.”

The open day was held simultaneously in all participating schools, where shortlisted students underwent interviews and the fourth edition of the Cognitive Abilities Test ( CAT4 ). Notably, 54% of the selected students come from schools outside the GEMS network, reflecting the scholarship's broad regional reach. The CAT4 is a globally recognized, curriculum-independent assessment that measures cognitive abilities and aptitudes rather than knowledge tied to a specific curriculum. This approach ensures a fair and consistent assessment for students from diverse educational pathways, including the British curriculum, the International Baccalaureate, the Indian curriculum, and the American curriculum.

Lisa Crouseby ( OBE ), Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, said: “The open day embodied the core values of the GEMS Genius Scholarship: providing opportunities, ambition, and belief in the potential of every child. The overwhelmingly positive response from students and families across the UAE reflects the depth of talent in the country and the great trust that GEMS Education has as an educational partner. This initiative embodies our firm belief in empowering outstanding students to reach their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.”

The 2026 edition of the GEMS Genius Scholarship, which opened for applications in November 2025, saw the addition of an important new feature to the application process, as students were allowed for the first time to choose a preferred school and an alternative, which allowed for consideration of outstanding applicants across a wider range of GEMS schools, in a move aimed at maximizing the opportunities available to students.

In addition to assessments, the open day was designed to celebrate students, their families, and the values that underpin GEMS Education. Families were welcomed to participating schools through guided tours, student presentations, and family-focused activities, giving them a firsthand look at the school culture, learning environments, and the wider GEMS community.

Crouseby added: “We look forward to this open day every year as a pivotal moment in the scholarship journey and a true celebration of everything that the GEMS group stands for. We were delighted by the overwhelming response to the initiative and very impressed by the interviews, which demonstrated the promising potential of our schools. On this occasion, we would like to congratulate all the students, as simply reaching the shortlist is an achievement in itself.”

Following the completion of the central review process, the evaluation results, including the final list of scholarship recipients, will be announced later in February 2026.

About James Education:

GEMS Education is one of the world’s leading providers of private education from kindergarten to Year 12, educating over 200,000 students from more than 176 nationalities across its global network of owned and operated schools. With nearly half a million alumni, GEMS has built an impactful legacy spanning generations and continents . Founded in Dubai in 1959, GEMS remains a family-run business, led by its visionary founder and chairman, Sunny Varkey, and his sons, Dino Varkey (Group CEO) and Jay Varkey (Group Deputy CEO) . GEMS offers a wide range of curricula and learning pathways, focusing on providing high-quality education to students from all walks of life. Every year, GEMS students graduate from top universities around the world, including all eight Ivy League universities and all Russell Group universities in the UK, and go on to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers across all sectors . Through its growing network of schools and philanthropic initiatives, GEMS is committed to its mission: to provide high-quality education accessible to every learner, everywhere .

To learn more, please visit the website: www.gemseducation.com

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Ambika Jadeja ajadeja@webershandwick.com

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