Zayed University's project SAMIE receives Motorola grant

A collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone and Zayed University, Project SAMIE encourages Grade 1 science and math teachers in national public schools to instruct in the English language. The Motorola Foundation grant will enable up to 30 bilingual teachers of Grade 1 in four Abu Dhabi schools to receive training in English twice a month on the science and mathematics content of the syllabus being taught including procedures, skills, concepts and assessment.

Along with a series of developmental workshops, this training is designed to make the teachers more comfortable with instructing in English. The Motorola Foundation grant will also enable the participating teachers to pay for the relevant English educational materials.

'Motorola places major importance on developing intellectual human capital and encouraging scientific innovation. Our partnership with Zayed University on Project SAMIE supports these two goals. By augmenting the level of math and science education for students in the UAE and encouraging the use of English in the classroom, we are helping the teachers and students significantly broaden their horizons,' said Hassan Tavakoli, Vice President and Director, Motorola Middle East & Africa.

Currently, most students attending Zayed University must take a two-year readiness course to enter the regular baccalaureate program. With the success of Project SAMIE, today's Grade 1 students will be better prepared in science, math, and English to enter the university directly.

'To receive this grant is an endorsement of our pioneering efforts in the field of education and we hope that Motorola's generous contribution provides an impetus to other businesses in the region to become involved with local schools and invest in the country's future with similar projects,' said Robin Dada, associate dean, Zayed University.

'This program has the potential to fundamentally change the approach to teaching and learning in the region for K-12. After one year we hope to see students being able to write simple ideas using English and a marked improvement in their English vocabulary and sentence development. We are not promising fluency in English but as the program develops, we are certain that in 4-5 years, it will produce science and math whiz-kids who speak impeccable English,' she added.

Established in 1953, the Motorola foundation provides funding to higher education institutions around the world as well as a multitude of primary and secondary education programs to assist individuals in reaching their potential and becoming lifelong learners.