Vision
To be a reliable and recognised UAE provider of high-quality, value-based education services.
Liwa is an established educational leader, recognized in providing an accessible, high-quality, American curriculum education in the United Arab Emirates for the past three decades.
Our schools and nurseries across Al Ain and Abu Dhabi offer a challenging American curriculum education, combining the essence of Emirati values with a rich set of core competencies that produces confident, resilient and courageous young leaders.
Our students learn to develop an international mindset, grounded in local values, understanding and appreciation. We understand the need for agility and adaptability in an ever-changing landscape and our graduating students are fully prepared to meet both national and global challenges, now and in the future.
To be a reliable and recognised UAE provider of high-quality, value-based education services.
We inspire education communities to be the best they can be. We create distinctive and innovative leaders, who are self-disciplined, critical thinkers and have an international mindset, which is grounded in local values, understanding and appreciation.
Dr. Ali Aldhaheri is a distinguished business leader with over three decades of experience spanning education, IT, finance, tourism, and real estate.
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Dr. Shereen Gobran is the founding Principal of Liwa International School, a role she has held since 1992.With over three decades of leadership in education, she has played……
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Kevin Wallis is a senior education leader with over 20 years of global experience. He has worked across the UK, US, Middle East, and Asia as a Government Advisor,……
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Margaret brings over 30 years of leadership in UK and UAE education. As Director of Schools at Liwa Education, she oversees academic alignment, regulatory compliance, and……
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Diana Wardeh is the Director of Nurseries at Liwa Education, bringing over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, leadership, and large-scale…
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Dr. Ali Aldhaheri is a distinguished business leader with over three decades of experience spanning education, IT, finance, tourism, and real estate.Moreover, he has been actively engaged in shaping high-level government strategies in tourism, development, MICE, sports, and education management.
He holds an MBA with distinction from the American University in Washington, D.C., and a PhD from Durham University. His doctoral research explored the link between cultural intelligence and adaptive leadership within the Abu Dhabi education sector, yielding valuable insights for the region.
In addition to his role as Chairman of Liwa Education and Liwa Schools, Dr. Aldhaheri currently holds several senior positions, including:
– Chairman and Founder, Abu Dhabi University
– Vice Chairman, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Chairman, NEMA Education
– Managing Director, Bin Harmal Group
– Chairman, Watania International Holding
– Board Member of Amanat Holding
– Chairman, Magna Investments
He has also held prominent roles including Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, Board Member of London ExCeL, and Executive Committee Member of the Emirates Foundation. Dr. Aldhaheri is widely recognized for his commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and educational excellence in the UAE.
Dr. Shereen Gobran is the founding Principal of Liwa International School, a role she has held since 1992. With over three decades of leadership in education, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape in the UAE and beyond.
She has served on the founding committee of Abu Dhabi University and as a member of the AdvancED Global Council (USA), evaluating educational institutions worldwide. Dr. Gobran also held the role of CEO at Kagan Arabian Region (USA) and was a board member of Abu Dhabi University.
Dr. Gobran is a certified Senior Assessor for the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award under the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has been actively involved with the Ministry of Education’s Total Quality Committees. Under her leadership, Liwa International School became ISO 9001 certified, with full staff training and quality implementation.
She is known for her expertise in quality systems, school audits, strategic planning, and educational innovation, continuing to drive excellence across all Liwa Education institutions.
Kevin Wallis is a senior education leader with over 20 years of global experience. He has worked across the UK, US, Middle East, and Asia as a Government Advisor, Director, School Inspector, and Senior Consultant.
In the UAE, Kevin supported national initiatives for the Presidential National Projects Office, the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and led the development of a professional learning curriculum for over 2,300 teachers and 1,000 school leaders. He also directed a UAE/UK joint venture to improve Abu Dhabi public schools—achieving 95% of performance targets within the first year.
In the UK, he led government-funded research projects, established local government-school partnerships, and reimagined learning spaces through a $4.5 million strategic redesign program for the British Government. He also served as a senior leader in one of the UK’s top ten government schools and spent three years with Japan’s Ministry of Education.
Kevin holds a First-Class Honours degree in Mathematics and Economics, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Cambridge, and is a qualified OFSTED inspector.
Margaret brings over 30 years of leadership in UK and UAE education. As Director of Schools at Liwa Education, she oversees academic alignment, regulatory compliance, and instructional quality across all campuses—helping ensure consistent ADEK ratings and school improvement.
A former Principal and Executive Principal, Margaret led full implementation of Schoology LMS and PowerSchool, directly boosting student attainment and internal QA outcomes. Her earlier roles in Dubai included leadership of both Cambridge and US curriculum programs, development of CPD systems, and strengthening faculty performance structures.
In the UK, Margaret served as Headteacher and Deputy Head in multiple schools, known for consistent delivery of school improvement and teaching excellence. She holds a BA in Psycholinguistics, PGCE in Secondary English, NPQH, and is a certified accountant. She is also a UK Peer and Tribal Inspector, recognized for her data-driven leadership and commitment to continuous improvement.
Diana Wardeh is the Director of Nurseries at Liwa Education, bringing over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, leadership, and large-scale nursery operations. She leads both private and public nurseries portfolios, including strategic projects in partnership with government entities across Abu Dhabi.
Since joining Liwa Education in 2003, Tareq has used …
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Since joining Liwa Education in 2003, Tareq has used his knowledge of IT service management, project management and facility management to lead the implementation of construction sites, facilities management and maintenance of all new and existing Liwa Education Schools. With over 20 years of experience in his field, Tareq has a strong background in managing projects in the education sectors involving facility management solutions and IT services.
Take a look at our current vacancies and hear from some of our team members.
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