Monday, Dec 17, 2012
Dubai: For the UAE to achieve it goals for 2021, all Emiratis must have equal opportunity and access to first class education that allows them to develop into well-rounded individuals, enhance their educational attainment, and achieve their true potential, contributing positively to society, an Emirati academician said on Monday.
Dr Khalifa Ali Al Suwaidi, assistant professor of education at the UAE University, said he wanted the nation’s schools to nurture well-rounded citizens, confident in their inner abilities and fully equipped for adulthood. “Our educators will instil in young people the shared values of our moderate religion and our national identity,” he added.
Stressing that setting increasingly ambitious educational targets may be counterproductive, Dr Al Suwaidi suggested a specialised department to oversee education in the country, high-quality Emirati curricula, assessment of educational output and continuous training of teachers.
“A progressive national curriculum will extend beyond rote learning to encompass critical thinking and practical abilities, equipping our youth with essential skills and knowledge for the modern world. In terms of such practical competencies — as well as high scores on standard international examinations — our children’s educational achievements will place them on a par with students in the most advanced nations,” Dr Al Suwaidi said.
He also urged the UAE to encourage Emiratis to maximise their potential by remaining in school and reach higher levels of education. “School drop-outs rates should fall, university enrolment should rise
Naguib Al Shamshi, an Emirati economist, said the UAE must sustains its drive toward economic diversification, as this is the nation’s surest path to sustainable development in a future that is less reliant on oil.
“This means expanding new strategic sectors to channel our energies into industries and services where we can build a long-term competitive advantage,” he said.
He added that to ensure lasting competitiveness, the nation will look beyond traditional economic models and take a more flexible perspective. Businesses will adopt an increasingly customer-centric approach to customising their products and services, and will learn to coordinate in efficient networks to meet the complex demands of the marketplace.
By Samir Salama Associate Editor
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
