Dubai, 13 Jan, 2009 (WAM) - Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that employing new non-traditional educational tools and utilizing technology is a sure way to educate children and enhance their creativity and imagination, adding that such methodologies play a key role in developing their skills and abilities to cope with the increasingly evolving environment they lives in.

Her Royal Highness pointed out that education through the employment of various entertainment and recreational methods stimulates children's interaction and thinking thus developing their mental abilities. This came during Princess Hayas opening of the biggest and most advanced planetarium in the UAE "Planetarium Full Dome" at Childrens City. The planetarium was developed recently after adding the most advanced edutainment system, equipped for showing digital 3D images of the universe.

Princess Haya attended a show at the planetarium Full Dome which can hold up to 100 people, followed by a couple of workshops such as "Black Star" and "Oasis in Space" which were held in the space zone of the Childrens City. Her Royal Highness was thrilled to see the show and the workshops at the city as they demonstrate modern and technical efficiency through the involvement of children and delivering information to them in an exciting method. Among the attendees was HE Mariam Al Roumi Minister of Social Affairs, Eng. Hussein Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and a representative of the Minister of Education, Rashid Al-Nuaimi.

This advanced system will give the children an opportunity to discover the secrets of the universe and the solar system. In addition to that, the planetarium presents numerous educational aspects related to the different components of life translated into interactive digital shows using 3D audio-visual effects prepared in a well planned method to create a thrilling experience for the audience. It also provides a big opportunity to obtain the required educational materials for the children in general and for the school children in particular. Educational workshops held alongside the shows gives explanations of what is displayed in the shows.

In line with Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoums directives for the pursue of excellence in government work, the Children's City developed the planetarium depending fully on local cadre and has accomplished remarkable success in saving expenses and enhancing the expertise of the local human resources. The City has now set a successful example in employing local human expertise, which made it save approximately 70% of the project expenditure. The total actual cost of the project was estimated at Dhs4.5 million by external companies, whereas it was accomplished with the same technical specifications using local cadre at a cost of AED 1.45 million only.

Childrens City for so long sought to provide a comprehensive environment for children of various age groups, taking into account the development of their intellectual and academic capabilities as well as entertaining them. The City contributes to and supports all society categories through offering activities, events and project in response to their role. The people in charge of the Childrens City always believe in change and thats reflected through the activities, innovative projects and through holding temporal exhibitions brought from abroad.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.