A seasoned education and global operations leader, Dr. Samia Kazi is a strong advocate for transformative early childhood education. With a strong background in both education and technical landscape, Dr. Kazi has worked with hundreds of childcare programs in diverse regions, alongside offering her expertise as a certified programmer and blockchain developer.
As the Co-Founder and Group Chief Operations Officer of Global Childhood Academy (GCA), Dr. Samia Kazi drives an integrated ecosystem for early childhood development that extends far beyond the classroom. GCA is the parent company of Arabian Child, one of the leading institutes shaping the early childhood landscape across the Middle East. In addition to her executive role, Dr. Kazi serves on the board of ECRA and is the author of multiple research studies on early childhood education, AI in education, and sector-wide reform. She also contributes to several national and international working groups and advises leading global education organizations.
Career Trajectory of Dr. Samia Kazi
Starting her career as a Computer Programmer after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Dr. Samia Kazi had a deep passion for tech. But after the birth of her children, she felt a strong calling to childhood and decided to pursue a Master’s in Educational Leadership and eventually a Doctorate in Early Childhood Education Policy Reform. She mentions, “A pivotal moment came when I was able to merge my love for tech with my passion for early childhood. Today our companies were able to scale because of our innovative use of edtech solutions.”
Evolution of Global Childhood Academy since Inception
When Dr. Kazi first started the company, the primary focus was on training teachers and building awareness around the importance of quality in early childhood education. Today, the group of companies grown into a holding company that oversees multiple initiatives, including professional training, childcare operations, accreditation systems, and digital platforms.
What began with a small team in one region has expanded into a global reach—GCA now supports more than 20,000 learners monthly across multiple languages and markets. Over time, the company shifted from delivering isolated training programs to building holistic ecosystems that combine workforce development, technology, and quality standards, ensuring that its impact is both scalable and sustainable.
An Inclusive Ecosystem for Early Childhood
Global Childhood Academy (GCA) contributes by creating a complete ecosystem for early childhood development that extends beyond the classroom, operating across four pillars: Children’s Academies, Teacher Academies, Parent Academies, and Policy & Innovation. “Our mission is to transform communities, by enhancing the quality of early childhood education and care, workforce development, and community partnerships,” Dr. Kazi comments.
Success in the Field: Insights of an Expert
Speaking of success in the early childhood industry, Dr. Samia Kazi believes it requires three things: firstly, unwavering commitment to continuous learning and development, both for educators and for leaders. As the industry evolves constantly, only those who keep learning can sustain impact.
Moreover, one needs to view early childhood as the true foundation of society, recognizing that the early years are the building blocks of communities, economies, and future generations. And lastly, advocacy is crucial in the field – ensuring that the rights and needs of children remain a priority in public policy, business decisions, and community initiatives.
Embracing Innovative Practices at GCA
Technological advancements, especially AI, have been revolutionizing industries. At GCA, Dr. Kazi and her team have built an AI-powered learning management system that personalizes e-learning for teachers, parents, and community stakeholders, making training more efficient and accessible across multiple languages. The platform delivers over 200 courses and uses advanced analytics to track progress and improve outcomes at scale.
She even mentions, “We also linked our LMS to blockchain-verified certificates, which ensure that qualifications are secure, tamper-proof, and globally recognized. This has removed barriers for teachers seeking career mobility and provided employers with instant verification.”
Another notable innovation at GCA is their teacher training programs, where the teachers are trained in early childhood skills and technical skills alongside program expertise—ensuring they are prepared not only to teach children, but to thrive in a digital-first education landscape. Dr. Kazi explains, “We believe that this is a vital skill for our early childhood teachers to have. Since, they will be planning curriculum, using AI, monitoring children’s progress through mobile apps and technology, using project planning software, and much more.”
Navigating through Key Challenges: Words of Wisdom for Beginners
Addressing the aspiring professionals in the early childhood landscape, Dr. Kazi shares, “We only have one life, and there are two types of people, people who either take from it, or add to it. And to be the latter, you need to find advisors who can guide you with a perspective you may not yet have, focus on constant learning in a field that evolves daily, and partner with people who challenge you, not who agree with you… growth comes through tension.
Additionally, remind yourself of your mission every day – it’s what will carry you through the many difficult times you will have. There is no shortcut, work harder, and harder again the next day. Don’t feel sorry for the fact that no one will ever fully understand how hard you work. That resilience is what sets leaders apart.”
To get more industry insights, connect with Dr. Samia Kazi on LinkedIn.
Find Global Childhood Academy (GCA) on LinkedIn and visit https://www.globalchildhoodacademy.com to learn more.
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