ADEZ and Intel sign MoU to implement professional training program across all Abu Dhabi schools

This professional development training program is seen as an important step to provide teachers with 21st century teaching and learning skills and to integrate appropriate information and communication technology, teacher training, relevant content, and connectivity in the curriculum.

Jointly addressing a ceremony to mark the MoU, representatives of Intel® and ADEZ committed themselves to support better levels of education at all grades and in all subjects. The event also marked the awarding of certificates to senior teachers and supervisors, who have already completed the 50 hour Intel® Teach To The Future course.

Mohammad S. Al Dhaheri, Director of ADEZ said the government was fully committed to the cause, concept and practice of integrating information technology into the classroom, stressing that enhancing teachers' skills was vital to motivating students to learn and engage in creative and critical thinking. "In Intel we have found an excellent source of knowledge and expertise, and in Intel Teach to The Future an ideal program to fulfil our vision for the future," he added.

Commenting on the collaboration, Samir Al Schamma, General Manager Intel GCC said

"Intel has developed the Intel® Education Initiative, a sustained commitment in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide to help today's students prepare for the demands of tomorrow. As part of this initiative, Intel has developed Intel® Teach to the Future which is a professional development program to help both experienced teachers as well as pre-service teachers to integrate technology into teaching to enhance students' learning and to develop higher-level thinking skills."

Al Schamma also highlighted that Education is a key focus for Intel and is part of the company's "Intel Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East," which is a comprehensive, multi-year program that will expand Intel's economic, educational and technology-related support throughout the Middle East.

The main aim of the program is to help students develop the thinking skills they will need in order to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy. Participating teachers receive extensive instruction and resources to promote effective technology use in the classroom. The teachers can learn how, when, and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into their lesson plans. They also experience new approaches to create assessment tools and align lessons with educational learning goals and standards. The program also incorporates use of the Internet, Web page design, and student projects as vehicles to powerful learning.

Established in 2000, the Intel® Teach to the Future program has changed the lives of teachers, and students, across 35 countries including those in the Middle East. The program offers strategies to develop digital literacy, creativity, higher-order thinking, communications and collaboration skills.