The Program includes teacher trainings, practical qualifications and education workshops
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program has signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft Gulf that aims to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the field of Smart Learning. The MoU is expected to provide major support to the launch of the Smart Learning Program and in particular focuses on the elements of training and qualification of teachers and schools.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program Mohammad Gheyath and Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Corporation Mr. Kevin Turner, in the headquarters of the UAE Ministry of Education.
The memorandum of understanding will provide training and evaluation for a year, by a team of consultants who specialize in the fields of technology and education, to a group of schools within the Mohammed Bin Rashid Programm for Smart Learning. There will also be workshops organized that will allow 1420 teachers to be trained on the latest innovation on education through the use of technology.
Through this memorandum, Microsoft will support the Smart Learning Program by providing guidance for the twenty-five schools in the year 2014 through assistance and training to provide guidance to school leaders, teachers and students as well. The technical teams will also receive Microsoft's assistance in developing customized applications for teachers and students that aide the learning process.
To further support the development of teachers' performance and enable them to acquire the methods of Smart Learning, the MoU will provide specialized training for fifty teachers who are part of the "Pioneer Program," providing them with expertise on the effective use of information and communication technology in the classroom. Additionally, training workshops will be organized for about 250 teachers regarding the design of learning in the twenty-first century.
As part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program, principals at each school nominate distinguished teachers to be part of the "Champion Teachers," pioneers who, with the help of their colleagues, coordinate activity between the school and the program to further enhance collaboration in the classrooms.
The memorandum of understanding also provides the opportunity to more than 400 teachers to join the global professional learning community through the Microsoft program for creative schools. This program serves to help and guide the teacher to acquire modern technology skills through global certificates in the field of smart learning recognized by UNESCO. In addition, it will provide the latest sources that help to improve performance and educational practices of school leaders through specialized workshops and provide the opportunity to communicate and share knowledge with various international schools are part of the global network of Microsoft Corporation.
"We at Mohamed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program are careful to select only the best in class partners to continue to crystallize the UAE's vision and the objectives of the Ministry of Education for a highly evolved education system. This MoU with Microsoft is one such partnership. Our collaboration with Microsoft will result in a highly supported and enriched learning experience in classrooms across the UAE," said Mohammed Gheyath.
Kevin Turner, Microsoft Corporation's Chief Operating Officer, reiterated the organization's commitment to providing students and teachers with the latest technology to support the Smart Learning Program in-line with the vision of the leadership of the United Arab Emirates: "The signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Smart Learning Program will enable thousands of teachers to have access to the latest tools and methodologies to facilitate the smart learning process and helps the shape the minds of tomorrow's leaders. Additionally, these technologies will empower students to cooperate better in the classroom so as to enhance their experience with Smart Learning."
Prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the Chief Operating Officer at Microsoft Mr. Kevin Turner, visited Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein School for Girls, accompanied by the Director-General and a number of representatives of the Smart Learning Program to experience the smart learning innovations within the classroom application of learning mechanisms.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program began with a number of partnerships with leading international companies in the field of technology and education, including Microsoft, in-line with the Program's commitment to provide the latest techniques and applications in the smart learning process through the latest findings of the leading companies in this field. The culmination of all these efforts are part of the Program's quest to ensure quality and to be a pioneer in the field of smart learning in the region and the world.
About the Mohammed bin Rashed Smart Learning Program
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program is an enabler that will transform the education system in the UAE and take it to higher levels where it can be benchmarked against best international standards.
The Program is aligned with the vision of the Ministry of Education and supports its ongoing reform process to continuously evolve the education system in the UAE. Furthermore, the Program is aligned with UAE's 2021 vision for inclusion of all students and parents in the preparation of the leaders of the future.
The Program was formed by ministerial decree No. 25 of 2012 which also provided for the formation of a Supreme Committee to overlook the Program under the chairmanship of H.E. Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, Minister of Education, and the membership of H.E. Dr. Abdul Qader Al Khayat board member of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and Mrs. Huda Al Hashimi Executive Director of Strategy and Policy in the Prime Minister's Office. The program is funded by the Fund to support the communications and information systems of the TRA.
The program puts into effect the integration of modern technologies with traditional classroom tools into the educational process to transform it into a dynamic and interactive experience for both teachers and students. Teachers will be able to focus on the performance of each student, thereby aiding them to develop their individual abilities and skills. The learning process in the smart classroom will now include the support of tablet devices and computers as well as smart boards alongside the existing teaching system.
The program consists of three phases: the pilot phase, which took place during the last academic year and included grade 7 students in 14 government schools. The application phase which will continue throughout a five-year period, followed by the implementation of the program in schools across the UAE. Development and follow up will ensue. As the program progresses, support and updates for all its elements including devices, systems, platforms and other interactive material will be ongoing.
About Microsoft Gulf
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:'MSFT') is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Gulf opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991. Microsoft Gulf today oversees Microsoft activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Microsoft Corporation's address on the worldwide web is: www.microsoft.com and Microsoft's Gulf web site is: www.microsoft.com/gulf.
For more information about Microsoft Gulf, Please contact:
Miriam Farshoukh, Public Relations Lead at Microsoft Gulf
Telephone : +97143917395
Email : a-mifars@microsoft.com
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +97144454222
Email: microsoft@webershandwick.com
© Press Release 2013
