UAE Ministry unveils partnership initiatives to shift country's educational landscape

Heading the partnership agenda is a planned launch next month of a web portal to be managed in conjunction with Microsoft. The partnership campaign will also see the launch of an entrepreneurship initiative in conjunction with the Young Achievers Injaz programme which is expected to cater to 50,000 students by 2013. Other planned re-engineering moves include the launch of a gifted student scheme and of a TAKATOF initiative, in association with the Emirates Foundation, which is planned to spread a volunteer spirit throughout the sector.

The partnership initiative was outlined as Dr. Hanif officially opened the Gulf Education Forum which is being held at the Madinat Arena until January 24 and which is being addressed by an elite speaker panel of experts from the UK, Germany, the USA, Jordan, Canada, India and Scandinavia.

'It is very timely for such a conference to take place in the UAE as we are in the midst of bringing about major changes in our education system,' said Dr. Hanif. 'As we look toward the future, we know that we must develop learners who are prepared to take on the challenges of a dynamic, global environment. Our students must be thinkers who are able to assess problems armed with the skills to implement and monitor actions in response,' said Dr. Hanif, UAE Minister for Education.

Dr. Hanif said the reformation is already underway with the Ministry implanting an urgent programme of upgrading, rebuilding and equipping schools. Technology is also being integrated with learning and it is being employed for the management and accountability of the education system.

'The new system we are building will have a strong technological backbone, enabling educators to use data to make important instructional decisions. It will also importantly provide students with the right skills and know-how to use technology to their advantage,' continued Dr. Hanif.

'Student learning is dependent upon high-quality teachers and school leaders and we are committed to supporting our educators with the necessary training and professional development to improve their skills in working with students,' he concluded.

GEF has attracted high profile delegations from throughout the Middle East which are being headed by Dr. Abdallah Yousef Al Mutawa'a, Undersecretary for Curricula and Education Affairs Office, Government of Bahrain; Dr. Abdallah Mohammad Al Ghaithi, Dean of the University of Sana'a Education College; Dr. Amal Bint Abdallah Al BuSaeediyyah, General Director for Curricula from the Sultanate of Oman; Dr. Hamad Bin Saif Al Hamani, UNESCO's representative in Doha; Dr. Rabee'a Mohammad Khamis Al Kaabi, Undersecretary at Qatar's Ministry of Education and Dr. Ali Al Karni, Director General of the Saudi-based Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf.

GEF is being held alongside the first Gulf Educational Supplies Show (GESS), the region's premier educational supplies and solutions event. It is examining key issues impacting the broad educational landscape.

Suppliers from 22 countries from the USA, Europe, North Africa, the Levant, Indian Sub-continent and the Far East are exhibiting at GESS.

'This is the right show, in the right place at the right time as governments throughout the Middle East prioritise development of their educational infrastructure,' said Virginia Kern, Chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which is behind GESS.

'The products and services on show will provide a glimpse of the shape of education of the future and will give visiting educational professionals an insight into all the possibilities of new teaching methodologies and technologies.'