Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Program Hosts the Arab Regional Training Program for National Smart Learning Strategies

25/02/2017

Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Program (MBRSLP), in collaboration with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities (TRA) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), has hosted the Arab Regional Training Program for National Smart Learning Strategies, launched today in Dubai, and lasts until Tuesday 28 February 2017, in the presence of officials from nearly eight regional and Arab Countries.

The Program aims to build capacities of policy-makers in participating countries, who are involved in the planning and implementation of national smart learning initiatives, in the ministries of education in their countries, as well as ministries of Information and Communication Technology in the Arab region or its equivalent. Additionally, The Program aims to develop the capacities and abilities of these countries to implement smart learning based on the MBRSLP leading experience in the region. 

This training program is the implementation of the first phase of an agreement signed by MBRSLP during SAMENA Summit last year, with both parties. It aims to coordinate efforts for providing support and advice to countries wishing to develop national strategies and policies in the field of smart learning, of which the UAE has become a regional and international center.

The mentioned agreement stipulates the preparation and organization of four workshops, online and onsite, during 2016 and 2017, to raise awareness and build capacities on national policies and implementation strategies of smart learning, in addition to encouraging and suggesting best practices in the field of smart learning according to the principals of MBRSLP.

Commenting on this event, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: ‘The UAE has an international leading position in the field of smart transformation, and in various vital sectors, of which education is considered an essential part. The wise leadership’s interest in smart learning is based on the importance of investing in human as an approach for building the future with ambitious national hands, capable of utilizing modern technological means, for the advancement and leadership of our country, as well as facilitating people’s lives and ensuring their happiness.’

H.E. Al Mansoori added: ‘The wise directives require interaction with regional experiences, and making the UAE as the hub of expertise in excellent experiences such as smart learning, smart government and other major transformations. In this context, we can confirm that we will spare no effort to assist our brothers through presenting the essence of our experience in this field.’ 

H.E Mohammed Gheyath, MBRSLP Director General, has welcomed the Program’s guests, wishing them a pleasant stay, and success in their mission to develop learning policies and strategies in their countries to keep pace with the requirements of the present era. He indicated to the importance of Information and Communication Technology in developing the education process, and directly serving the education sector, stressing on the importance of using technology in smart transformation, developing countries, improving life conditions, and achieving people’s happiness.  

Gheyath said: ‘The Agreement we have signed last year confirms the leadership of the UAE in the field of smart learning globally, through the great confidence and major task assigned to the country to develop and guide the countries who wish to develop their model in smart learning. This strengthens the Country’s position as a main center of smart learning on international level, assigned to transfer knowledge to the region and the world.’

Gheyath  explained: ‘Today, the UAE has a unique, comprehensive and well-defined experience in smart learning. This is due to the clear vision of the wise leadership in guiding the smart transformation, and launching the MBRSLP years ago, which has been entrusted with the inclusion of ICT capabilities in education sector, and making the best use of it, in preparation for the move to the knowledge-based economy, which allows us today to be at the forefront of countries that have key asset in this field.’

Gheyath declared the MBRSLP’s commitment in the region, supporting all the countries wishing to develop their education policies, and transferring the UAE experience for the human development, to broaden his knowledge to become the cornerstone in developing his country, based on the main policy of the country in supporting world peace and development, as well as people’s development and happiness. 

The program consists of two workshops, focusing on national smart learning plans and strategies, and shedding the light on best international practices in this field. It is based on the MBRSLP experience, which has been listed among the best experiences that should be consulted in smart learning in the World Economic Forum Report issued in early 2017. The Program is organized in collaboration with TRA of the UAE, in addition to the ITU, the Arab League, the Arab league Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECOS), and the regional UNESCO office for education in the Arab States.

Two new workshops are planned to be announced for the second quarter of 2017, as a continuation to the Agreement implementation. A guiding committee supervises the implementation of this agreement, composed of representatives of all the parties, and meets once every two to three months.

The Agreement represents a living example of the ways of cooperation, to face the challenges in this rapidly growing sector, as well as a platform to present meaningful practices for the development of communities and applying international standards, based on vivid successful examples in smart learning, in line with the UAE vision 2021 aiming to raise the educational process standards to a comparable level with best international standards.

The agreement is also considered a landmark in enhancing the position of the UAE as a regional hub to spread the smart learning model, and enable the region countries to make the best use of this system, including the adoption of latest technologies, and the preparation of the young generations to face the future.