SWC's UNECSO Chair Program forges links with Ministry of Education

In attendance at the meeting were Dr. Jamal Al Muhairi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Directors of the UAE Education Zones, Dr. Farid Ohan, Director of the Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology, and senior officials of the college.

SWC is one of three organizations in the UAE that have been awarded a UNESCO Chair. There are a total of 500 throughout the world. The UNESCO Chair Program was launched by the United Nations in 1992 as a mechanism for knowledge transfer and capacity-building in the spirit of solidarity with, and between countries. The Program's primary mandate is to promote new partnerships across the international academic community, share information and research, and create knowledge networks.

Dr. Ohan opened the meeting with some brief remarks about the importance of establishing better linkages with the various levels of education in the country. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to identify specific areas in which Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology could provide assistance to the Ministry through its UNESCO Chair Program. This assistance would include such activities as targeted research projects, professional development workshops and seminars, jointly sponsored conferences, development of learning resources, teacher certification, and the sharing of best practices.

Dr. Jamal Al Muhairi stated that the Ministry is very interested in making use of the expertise that the UNESCO Chair Program could offer. He requested that the Education Zone Directors work closely with Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology to identify areas of mutual interest, necessary research, and opportunities for professional development.

The activities of the UNESCO Chair Program are made possible by a generous grant from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.