Dr. Mariam Shaikh is an esteemed educational leader with over 35 years of experience in student recruitment, marketing, strategic development, international relations, and student experience. She has also been honored as the “Most Empowering Woman Leader of the Year 2025” by CToday Awards. Located in the United Arab Emirates, she has revolutionized education, mentored prospective students, and promoted worldwide academic partnerships. As the Founder and CEO of MS Education Consultants, she remains committed to broadening students’ opportunities globally. Her dedication to education and women’s empowerment has been rewarded with numerous prestigious awards and honors.

Early Beginnings and Passion for Education

Dr. Mariam started her education journey in the early 1980s when she founded a nursery school in Ras Al Khaimah, motivated by her children. She became Principal of a leading school chain in the UAE, growing it to more than 7,000 students and one of the largest Asian schools in the country. Her educational qualifications encompass a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from St. Xavier’s College and an Honorary Doctor of Transformational Educational Leadership from St. Mother Theresa University. Her credentials provided the basis for her influential contributions to education and leadership.

Revolutionizing Higher Education in the UAE and Establishing MS Education Consultants

Dr. Mariam entered the world of higher education to enhance students’ careers and academic objectives, spearheading the establishment of foreign university campuses in the UAE, such as the University of New Brunswick Dubai. Her effort has made the nation a worldwide hub for learning. She served in high-rank leadership at the Canadian University of Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and Amity University Dubai and played an immense role in the recruitment of students, the expansion of the institutions, and partnerships globally.

Capitalizing on her long exposure, Dr. Mariam launched MS Education Consultants in 2020, an organization focused on higher education recruitment, visa service, cultural exchange programs, and university partnerships. With her consultancy, she is providing students with international exposure as well as competencies to help them excel in a global environment. She works closely with UNHCR and provides scholarships for refugee students as well, giving them access to quality education who need it.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Mariam has also been awarded many more esteemed awards for her work in education and leadership. She was awarded the GCC Woman Leadership Award (2019) and the Global Super Achiever Award (2020) as a tribute to her contributions to the education field. Her devotion earned her the Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), the Woman of Wonders Award (2020), and the Achievers Award in Entrepreneurial Venture (2021). Awarded for her activism, she received the Excellence in Mental Health – World Health Award (2021), SHE Business Woman Award (2021), and Gem of India Award (2021). She was also given the Global Excellence in Education Award (2021) by H.E Sheikh Eng. Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Fame Times International Excellence Award (2021), and the Outstanding Contribution to the Education Industry Award (2021) under The Private Office of H.E Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi. She was the sole UAE nominee for the PIEoneer Award (2021) for “Outstanding Contribution to the Education Industry.” In the recent times, she received the following awards: Women Economic Development Global Icon and Lifetime Achievement Award 2024, Top 20 Entrepreneurs; Global 200 Women Power Leaders 2024, PAWES Award for Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Africa 2024, Leadership Personality Excellence Award 2025

Advocacy and Vision for the Future

In addition to education, Dr. Mariam is an ardent champion of women’s empowerment. She guides young women leaders and sponsors refugee students under different initiatives. Her dream is to extend global collaborations, launch new education paradigms, and establish catalytic learning opportunities for students around the world. As a redefining leader in the educational sector, Dr. Mariam Shaikh is a source of inspiration for students, teachers, and women entrepreneurs across the world.