2007
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Dubai Cares hits $926m
Dubai's ruler, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has announced that he has matched the Dhs1.7bn ($463m) raised by the Dubai Cares campaign, reported Emirates Today. The announcement was made at a ceremony closing the eight-week charity drive aimed at collecting funds to educate deprived children throughout the world. The $926bn total raised by the charity makes it the world's largest fundraising campaign.
Saudi Arabia works on vocational training
Saudi Arabia is setting up 160 vocational training centres to help meet its target of creating 3.6 million jobs within 10 years and becoming less reliant on its oil revenues.
EduCare forum in Doha
The American School of Doha's (ASD) newly floated 'EduCare' forum, with the support of Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) and HSBC, began a two-day conference on 'Environmental Education', reported The Peninsula. Representing over seven international and ten local schools, nearly 50 professional educators and school leaders are attending the event. One of the aims of EduCare is to build partnerships with other schools, NGOs, corporations, professionals and service projects. These partnerships provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills in real world settings. The schools attending the two day event are representing Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Dubai and Egypt.
ADU English initiatives
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is to launch new initiatives at its English Language Institute from next spring. ADU will offer a course in English for Special Purposes, a summer camp for high-school students as well as multimedia computer assisted language learning (CALL). The university's CALL labs offer flat-screen TVs, WiFi Internet connections and a range of language software.
Dubai launches assessment program
Over 8,500 pupils from 160 Dubai schools will be taking part in a maths and science assessment under a program called the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, reported Gulf News. The assessment, which is being conducted under the purview of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and implemented by the Dubai School Agency, is aimed at establishing an international baseline. The test will focus on students in grades four and eight.
Forsa addresses executive women
The Forsa Centre of Excellence was launched today in Dubai to provide young executive women in the region with a one-year executive management program in collaboration with Insead, the world business school. According to Shamsa Rashid, Forsa CEO, this programme targets women who are serious about becoming CEOs. Forsa intends to collect the sum of Dhs100m for the initiative and has already sealed a partnership with some big names in the company including MAF Group, Tamweel, Dubai Islamic Bank, DU, Amlak, Nestle and others.
ICDL urges digital literacy
ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body of the International Computer Driving Licence program in the Gulf States, has called on GCC states to further strengthen their digital literacy programs as part of collective efforts to enhance the employment prospects of GCC nationals in the private sector. With the GCC states fast emerging as high-technology hubs, the skills level of the region's workforce has subsequently been raised, requiring a broader knowledge of various technologies and IT applications, the foundation said.
MSU in August 2008
Michigan State University (MSU), which recently announced plans to establish a campus at Dubai International Academic City, should be ready to begin accepting students from August 2008, reported Gulf News. The project is a joint venture between Tecom Investments and MSU and, until the campus opens, the university will maintain an office at Dubai Knowledge Village. MSU is planning to offer around nine courses for undergraduates and postgraduates initially.
Aviation academy for Sharjah
The Alpha Aviation Group and Air Arabia have signed a joint venture agreement to establish a multi-million dollar aviation training academy in Sharjah. The new facility will be based on Alpha Aviation's existing academy, Clark Avaition, in the Philipinnes. Operations are due to commence in early 2008 once approval has been received from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
Poor education hampers Middle East
Poor education in the Middle East is holding back the region. Speaking at the Leaders in Dubai conference, delegates said that too often, graduates have poor or incorrect skills for industries. Some companies now take below par candidates who can be trained correctly on the job. Dr Sami Baroum, Managing Director of Saudi Arabia's Savola Group, commented: 'We are facing a talent crunch in our region.' Mutlaq H Al Morished, Vice President of Corporate Finance at Sabic, expressed frustration at the education system, saying it's 'not producing what the economy needs'.
Repton rolled out
The Repton School Dubai, developed in collaboration with the Repton School, Derby, one of the UK's oldest public schools, opened for business at the start of the academic year in September, reported Gulf News. The school has 340 pupils aged from 3-11 and 15% are UAE nationals. Repton's senior school will open next year at the site in Nad Al Sheba; fees range from Dhs43,000-Dhs54,000 excluding boarding.
King Faisal Uni gets zone
Saudi Arabia's King Faisal University, based in Dammam, and the Saudi Organisation for Industrial Estates and Technology Zones have signed an agreement regarding the establishment of a technology zone at the institution. The zone will specialise in water treatment, rationing and desalination techniques. Saudi leads the world in desalinated water production.
AUB to launch IT initiative
The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the American University of Beirut is launching the Industrial Technology Initiative which aims to establish a framework to support local and regional industry through applied research, consulting services, and training programs. The program will harness technologies and deploy knowledge for enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.
Gulf Unesco opens in Sharjah
A regional centre for educational planning has been opened in the UAE under Unesco auspices, reported Gulf News. The centre, the second in the world, will respond to the pressing need to improve educational planning in the Gulf. Gulf Unesco will be located on the University of Sharjah campus.
Study of Arabic soars in U.S.
Enrollment in Arabic courses in U.S. colleges rose 126% between 2002 and 2006, according to a study by the Modern Language Association (MLA). The reasons cited by students for learning the language included the Sept. 11 attacks and globalization of the U.S. economy.
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