Mapping the Network: Identifying UAE Philanthropies’ Partners in Education

In line with global trends, the impact of United Arab Emirates (UAE) education philanthropies continues to grow as they work to strengthen education systems. These philanthropies partner with government entities, academic institutions, the private sector, and other nonprofit actors to better navigate the ever-evolving educational landscape. While the literature addresses the advantages and challenges of philanthropic partnerships, little attention has been paid to mapping the partners of Emirati philanthropic organizations operating in the education sector. Using social network analysis, this essay maps the partners of UAE education philanthropies, highlighting the interplay and level of connectivity of actors working on education in the country and abroad. This analysis yields two insights. First, Emirati education philanthropies partner with various cross-sector actors, expressing similarities and differences with global philanthropic partnership trends. Second, there is potential for greater connectivity within the UAE’s philanthropic sector, which could lead to more efficient use and allocation of resources. The UAE is an important regional philanthropic actor, and this mapping exercise lays the groundwork for further research on philanthropic partnerships for education in the Middle East and North Africa region.