The UAE launches a global partnership with Starlink to provide digital education to remote and underprivileged communities around the world

The Digital School, one of the initiatives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, announced the launch of a strategic global partnership with Starlink Satellite Internet Company, as part of the World Government Summit 2026, which was held from February 3 to 5, with the aim of making a qualitative shift in providing high-quality digital education, by reaching remote and deprived communities around the world, and establishing an integrated model that combines advanced digital communication with comprehensive and sustainable education.

This partnership embodies the UAE’s leadership in innovating future education solutions and strengthening global partnerships, in a way that enhances equal educational opportunities and supports the future of education.

The global partnership was announced in the presence of Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Vice President of the World Government Summit and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Digital School. The agreement was signed by Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director of Market Access and Development at SpaceX, and Dr. Walid Al Ali, Secretary General of the Digital School.

Omar Sultan Al Olama stressed that the UAE continues, through the World Government Summit, to consolidate its approach to building qualitative global partnerships in vital sectors, most notably digital education, out of its belief that the future of development begins with empowering people with digital knowledge and skills.

He said that the partnership with Starlink reflects the UAE’s drive to expand the scope of cooperation with global partners in order to develop innovative solutions that contribute to creating a wide-ranging positive impact on societies, noting that digital communication has become a strategic necessity to ensure equitable access to education, especially in remote and less fortunate areas.

For his part, Ryan Goodnight said: “We are proud to contribute to promoting the new global model of digital education in the UAE. Starlink’s partnership with the Digital School allows high-speed connectivity to open new horizons for learning and enable students in remote areas with limited connectivity to access integrated digital educational environments, including online learning, instant collaboration tools, global scholarship opportunities and future career paths, in a way that enhances knowledge and supports paths of sustainable growth and empowerment.”

Partnership

This partnership provides Internet connectivity and reliable, high-quality communication methods via satellite, while the digital school is responsible for promoting and disseminating an integrated digital education system that turns communication into an organized and approved educational journey that includes customized digital education programs, educational platforms, digital content, and building sustainable educational capabilities.

The first phase of the initiative aims to reach 100 sites in remote areas around the world, with a flexible design that allows expansion according to the level of impact, readiness, and effective partnerships. The partnership will include enrichment paths in space science, taking advantage of the SpaceX system, to stimulate students’ curiosity, enhance their ambitions, and link education to future horizons.

Three schools in the Kingdom of Lesotho were equipped with reliable connectivity via Starlink, in addition to integrated digital education systems provided by the digital school, which included computers, a dedicated digital education platform, digitization of national content, and comprehensive training programs for teachers, ensuring a systematic, sustainable and measurable educational impact.