UAE to become ‘smart’ learning hub

Dubai / WAM

The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) signed a cooperative agreement with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN’s specialised agency for information and communications technologies, and Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program (MBRSLP) during their participation at the SAMENA Telecom Leaders’ Summit 2016 held recently in Dubai. The agreement is aimed at coordinating joint efforts in assisting and providing consultation to countries who have expressed their interests in formulating national policies within the framework of ‘smart’ learning. According to the terms of the agreement, the UAE will become the ‘smart’ learning hub for the
region and the world.
As per the agreement signed in presence of Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, and Mohammad Omran Alshamsi, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the parties will organize four workshops either online or onsite during 2016-2017, with the aim to spread awareness and build the capacity to formulate national policies with regards to the implementation of special smart learning strategies. In addition, they will encourage and recommend the best practices in the field of ‘smart’ learning based on the principles of MBRSLP. The agreement was signed by HamadObaid Al Mansoori, Director General, TRA; Mohammed Gheyath, Director General, MBRSLPand Houlin Zhao, Secretary General, ITU.
During his speech at the opening ceremony of the Summit, Al Mansoori said; “The Telecom Leader’s Summit 2016 provides an ideal platform for key experts and decision makers from the public and private sectors to meet, network and exchange knowledge and expertise on the current trends that are moving and shaping the market.”
“I am delighted to witness the signing of the collaborative agreement between TRA, MBRSLP, and the ITU which will jointly work towards providing assistance and advise to countries in formulating national strategies and policies in the field of ‘smart’ learning. This collaboration is testimony of the fruitful cooperation to overcome the challenges of today’s fast moving age and bringing development to societies. I am very proud that all of us will fulfil the vision of Dubai Action Plan 2014 set out by the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-14),” he added.
Commenting on this event, Gheyath said: “Since its establishment, MBRSLPhas worked to embed global standards and provide an ideal model for ‘smart’ learning in line with UAE Vision 2021 with an aim to raise the level of learning process as per global standards. We are confident that the signing of the agreement will position the UAE as a regional centre for ‘smart’ learning, enabling the regional countries to derive benefits from this program and adopt most advanced techniques to prepare highly capable future generations who can face all future challenges.”

“The future of education is hinged on the integration of ICTs in education systems,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “This cooperation agreement provides an opportunity for countries in the Arab region and beyond to experience first-hand the best practices implemented in the outstanding MBRSLP in the United Arab Emirates”
A directive committee, created with one or two representative for each party will supervise and implement the agreement. It will meet once every two or three months as needed, wherein the decisions will be taken by all three parties in one voice. All required resources, including operational, logistics and administrative facilities, and arrangements, to organize the workshops will be according to the directive of the committee. The participants will be requested to get consultation services during or after the workshop to form national policies and strategies within the ‘smart’ learning sector.