Education begins with vision, but its lasting impact is measured by the opportunities it creates. Some careers shape institutions, while others create pathways that connect people with new possibilities. Dr. Mariam Shaikh’s journey reflects both, marked by purpose, leadership, and a sustained commitment to educational advancement. From a simple preschool that came up in the 1980s to an education consultancy company in Dubai, her career spans three decades of vision, leadership, and dedicated service to the cause of education. As a Founder and CEO of MS Education Consultants LLC, she brings extensive experience in school leadership, higher education, international collaboration, and student development.
Today, she is widely respected within the international education community. Her leadership skills have earned recognition in the corporate sector and among various women’s organizations. Several universities in Canada and the United States have also appointed her as their representative in the Gulf region. However, her success and accolades reflect her continued commitment to education, her dedication to broadening students’ horizons, and her efforts to create new opportunities for them.
Building Educational Excellence
Dr. Mariam began her career in education in the early 1980s by establishing her own preschool in the UAE. This early experience laid the foundation for a career defined by patience, vision, and strong institution-building skills. She later became principal of a prominent school group. Under her leadership, the institution expanded significantly and became one of the largest Asian schools in the UAE at the time, serving more than 7,000 students.
By the early 2000s, she turned her focus to higher education, a sector that was still emerging in Dubai. She played an important role in establishing one of the city’s early international university branch campuses through her work with the University of New Brunswick, Canada. At the time, foreign degree-granting campuses in the Gulf were still a relatively new concept.
This experience led to senior leadership positions at several prominent international institutions in the UAE, including Canadian University of Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, and Amity University Dubai. She guided start-up operations, supported significant growth in student enrollment, and helped develop fully established campuses and academic communities. Her work during this period also strengthened her expertise in student recruitment, which became an important part of her leadership career.
Bridging Global Education
Through a distinguished record of fostering strategic partnerships, Dr. Mariam has advanced institutional growth and strengthened collaboration across the global education sector. Over the years, she has negotiated articulation agreements between UAE-based institutions and universities and colleges in Europe, China, Canada, Australia, and the United States. These partnerships created structured pathways for students who wanted to pursue education abroad and made international study more accessible. “I see every partnership as an opportunity to connect people, institutions, and ideas while creating pathways that extend beyond borders,” she says.
Her work extended beyond formal partnerships. She hosted global business challenge competitions that brought international students to the UAE. She also played an early role in the development of Dubai’s “Study in Dubai” initiative. As part of this effort, she personally recruited 120 Chinese students to pursue their education in the emirate. This work required strong communication skills, cultural understanding, and a genuine commitment to students.
Student care has remained central to her professional approach. Throughout her career, she has worked with students from more than 100 nationalities. Her approach extends beyond admissions, focusing on building student confidence and preparing learners to make meaningful contributions to their communities. For nearly 35 years, she has contributed to the growth of international universities in Dubai, with student recruitment and welfare remaining central to her professional work. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that education plays an important role in the development of society. “I remain committed to building stronger connections between students and global institutions so that education becomes more accessible and meaningful,” she says.
Shaping Education Through Strategy
By 2020, Dr. Mariam had gained decades of institutional experience, a strong professional network, and extensive knowledge of the international education sector. Rather than stepping away from the field, she used this experience to establish MS Education Consultants, a premier education advisory firm headquartered in the UAE.
The consultancy focuses on student recruitment, new campus development, institutional partnerships, and global education strategy. Its mission is to connect students and institutions with global opportunities through guidance, innovation, and collaboration. The firm supports student enrollment from the UAE and the wider GCC region for local and international higher education institutions. It also advises on the development of new education entities and training institutes. Its services include university and career fairs, alumni events, and entrepreneurial internships. In addition, the firm conducts UAE cultural awareness programs and university exchange initiatives that help students gain exposure to different academic environments. “I strive to help institutions grow while keeping student opportunity, development, and success at the center of every initiative,” she says.
MS Education Consultants has established a strong position among international universities seeking to expand their presence in the Gulf. Since September 2021, Dr. Mariam has served as Middle East Strategist for the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. In this role, she leads student outreach initiatives across the UAE and GCC and develops strategic partnerships for the university. In 2023, the firm was appointed Middle East Regional Representative for Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson. The role involves supporting students across the region as they pursue opportunities at the Canadian institution.
The consultancy continues to expand its role as a strategic partner in the global education sector. It works with institutions across the UAE and wider MENA region to develop professional development programs, build institutional partnerships, and create new opportunities for students and education providers. Since 2024, MS Education Consultants has supported the launch of a new education entity in Dubai on behalf of a leading Canadian institution.
Most recently, the firm was appointed the official UAE representative for Kean University in New Jersey, an R2 Carnegie Research institution. These milestones reflect the consultancy’s growing international presence and its continued commitment to strengthening educational connections between the UAE, the wider region, and leading institutions around the world.
Influencing Regional Education
Beyond her consultancy, Dr. Mariam has established a distinguished presence across the regional and international education landscape through leadership roles, strategic networks, and global partnerships. She serves as Chair of Edu-Connect and Ambassador for the Canadian Business Council Dubai, having been appointed as the first person to hold the ambassador role. She also serves as an Advisory Member for Higher Education on the G100 Global Advisory Council and remains actively involved with the UAE-Africa Initiative Network. In addition, she is a distinguished member of the Indian Women Dubai network, which connects with a community of more than 100,000 members across the region. “For me, leadership means creating opportunities that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and contribute to the growth of education,” she says.
These roles reflect her strong engagement with Dubai’s education ecosystem. She maintains professional relationships with school leaders and counselors across more than 200 schools throughout the Middle East. She is also well connected with students and parents across the region. Education conferences regularly invite her to deliver keynote addresses. She also contributes to discussions on the future of higher education through digital platforms.
Her international engagement further extends her reach. She has traveled extensively as an ambassador for educational institutions and participated in international delegations focused on strengthening partnerships and collaboration between countries and academic institutions. Through these diverse roles, she continues to contribute to international education, institutional development, and cross-border academic collaboration.
Leadership and Recognition in Education
Over the past several years, Dr. Mariam has received numerous honors that reflect her contributions to education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. In 2020, the year she launched MS Education Consultants, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Transformational Educational Leadership. She also received the Global Super Achiever Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Woman of Wonders Award. During the same period, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Inspirational Women Awards in recognition of her contributions to establishing international universities in the UAE.
Her recognition continued to grow in the following years. In 2021, she received the Achievers Award in Entrepreneurial Venture. She was also named the only UAE nominee for Outstanding Contribution to the Education Industry by the PIEoneer Awards. In 2022 and 2023, her achievements included the Business Excellence Award, recognition among Asia’s Top 100 Women Power Leaders, and the Educator of the Year title from ME EMMI Empire USA. In 2024, she was recognized among the Global 200 Women Power Leaders. She also co-authored a chapter in Dubai Business Leaders Volume One, a collection of business success stories from the region that reached the number one position on Amazon’s bestseller list.
Her 2025 achievements included the Pioneer in Education Award and recognition as the first Canadian Business Council Dubai Ambassador. In 2026, she received the Iconic Visionary Woman Honoree title, recognition as a Top International Women Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Most Outstanding Female Leader in Education & Women Advocacy Award. These honors reflect a career focused on advancing education, leadership, and opportunities for women.
Her work also extends to initiatives that create greater access to education. She has collaborated with the UNHCR to provide scholarships for student refugees and support educational opportunities for displaced young people. She has also advocated for women in business and leadership. Her continued work in education and community development has strengthened her role as a contributor to the region’s educational and professional landscape.
Opening Doors Through Education
At the heart of Dr. Mariam’s distinguished career is a clear and enduring purpose: to advance education, create opportunities, and shape pathways that make a lasting difference in people’s lives. From establishing a preschool in the 1980s to leading a school group with more than 7,000 students, her journey has been defined by institution building and student development. She later helped establish international university branch campuses in the 2000s and went on to represent universities across multiple continents through her consultancy. Across each stage of her career, her work has centered on the belief that education can transform lives and create pathways to opportunity.
As MS Education Consultants continues to expand, its work includes developing new university partnerships, supporting education entities, and strengthening collaboration between academic institutions and corporate organizations. Her continued efforts also focus on supporting students from diverse backgrounds and helping institutions establish a stronger presence in the region. Through decades of experience, she has demonstrated how strategic guidance, international collaboration, and a student-centered approach can help turn educational aspirations into meaningful opportunities. “I will continue to champion education as a powerful force for opportunity, connection, collaboration, and positive change,” she says.
