A proposal to set up a Regional Smart Learning Centre in the UAE was revealed at the Smart Learning Forum in Dubai on December 14.
The three-day forum aims to provide a platform where knowledge and expertise in the field of smart and sustainable cities can be exchanged between countries.
Ebrahim Hadad, Director, Arab Regional Office, ITU, which is part of the United Nations system, said the centre aims to train and share experiences with educational bodies and individuals from Arab countries who want to adopt smart learning.
He added that the training will be based on the UAE’s experience and expertise in smart learning in partnership with the Mohammad Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme.
Hadad said, “The centre aims to look at how UAE’s smart learning initiative can be transferred to other countries. However, affordability and accessibility is something to consider beforehand because not all the Arab countries have the required infrastructure or funds.”
During his keynote speech at the forum, Mohammad Al Gheyath, Director General of the programme, said that the smart learning programme has been implemented in 50 per cent of the UAE’s 423 public schools and will be implemented in all UAE public schools by 2018.
He said the UAE aims to be a front-runner in the smart education. To achieve this, it is implemented in a three-stage strategy: (i) Introducing the tools, (ii) Training the teachers and students on how to use these tools, and (iii) Ensuring continuity.
Al Gheyath briefed that this year, a total of 283 schools have been transformed to smart schools, which include 1,760 classes, 6,349 teachers and 34,513 students.
By 2018, all 423 schools will be transformed, this includes 7,606 classes, 12,320 teachers and 121,205 students, he added.
The forum was organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UAE Ministry of Education, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme, and the Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALESCO).
