Cozmo Travel launches B2B trade portal for travel industry operators in the UAE

Cozmo Travel, a member of the Air Arabia Group and a leading travel management company in the region, has announced the launch of B2B trade portal www.travtrolley.com for local travel and tourism industry operators in the UAE. Cozmo Travel also has tied-up with Taiwan Tourism Board to launch a new destination within UAE this year.

This was announced at a Press conference organised in Dubai by senior officials from Cozmo Travel and Taiwan Tourism Board.

www.travtrolley.com is a new online booking system, which offers single login and account to manage the complete tour package including airlines, hotels and car rentals worldwide. The user-friendly interface was developed to empower both travel agencies and corporates in the UAE and the GCC region.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Jamal Abdul Nazar, CEO of Cozmo Travel, said, “We are proud to launch the B2B trade portal for the travel sector operators in the UAE. This is another milestone achievement for Cozmo Travel that allows us to spearhead the industry by incorporating online innovations to serve our customers well. We have also signed a contract with Taiwan Tourism Board with a range of joint promotions to increase tourism and visibility for Taiwan through Cozmo Travel network.”

“Our new online platform will be a pioneering initiative in the UAE’s travel and tourism industry. We also plan to expand this initiative to other GCC countries. The B2B portal provides both inbound and outbound holiday packages across the globe based on various seasons and interests,” he added.



Mr Vishal Mehra – VP Sales, Taiwan Tourism Board, said, “We are pleased to tie-up with Cozmo Travel in the UAE. This partnership is aimed at increasing the number of visitors to Taiwan from the Middle East, a trend that is already on an upward index. We have recognised the fact that Taiwan has a huge potential for tourism offerings to the UAE in particular, and the GCC at large, owing to the multi-cultural population in the region. The partnership with Cozmo Travel will help us further boost interest and ease the travel to the beautiful Chinese island.”

Ms Deepa Rajesh, Head of Sales at Cozmo Travel, said, “We are happy to launch the B2B portal, which is a one-of-a-kind initiative in the UAE’s travel industry. We introduced this considering the evolution of new business models in the travel industry to provide travellers more choices and assist them in making more informed decisions in the digital age. We firmly believe that technology and digital sector is the way forward and with dedication and hard work we want to be one of the best service providers in the travel and tourism industry.”

“This portal is at the forefront both technologically and in terms of services offered. We are offering hundreds of airline fares and thousands of hotel rates at the users’ fingertips with special deals on 25 plus airlines and access to multiple GDS inventories as well as various LCCs for most competitive airline fares. The rates are equal or lower than the major online travel portals. The portal is also to have on-hold airline reservations and 24/7 B2B support via call centre,” she added.

Mr Vijay GB, Head of Information Technology at Cozmo Travel, said, “Launch of www.travtrolley.com is in line with the continuing evolution of information technology putting a considerable impact on the travel agency service industry. The portal, with an inbuilt transparent and easy accounting process system, allows tracking the whole travel package including airline and hotel reservation procedures, travel insurance, activities, global sightseeing – all available on a single portal. The web portal also features “your own personalised online travel office” with booking engine.”

Cozmo Travels has been conducting roadshows for the past two weeks in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Fujairah covering all B2B agents across the UAE. The events witnessed more than 500 participants making it a huge success.

Innovation Arabia 10 develops roadmap for building societies based on knowledge, innovation and sustainability

Successful edition features 319 research papers and 23 presentations from 49 countries
Mansoor Al Awar: “Innovation Arabia 10 has succeeded in laying the foundation for developing sustainable economies in the Arab World”

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has concluded the 10^th edition of the Innovation Arabia congress under the theme ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Engines of Sustainability’ which was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the university. The event made significant progress in developing a clear roadmap for taking advantage of the previous successes of the Arab World. It harnessed existing potentials and paved the way for unleashing and accelerating knowledge transformation, strengthening the culture of entrepreneurship, upholding environmental protection, and advancing education and health in line with the requirements of the digital age. The conference was attended by high-level international decision-makers, policy-makers, senior government officials, experts and leaders from the educational, environmental, health and economic fields.

The final day saw the University’s women leaders been honored by Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Dr. Awar emphasized the significant and effective roles that women play in achieving continuous success at the local, regional and international levels. He expressed appreciation for the efforts and contributions made by women leaders in HBMSU which he said have been integral to the University’s ongoing path to excellence as the University of Choice in the whole Arab World and its string of international achievements in the fields of smart and distance learning.

Innovation Arabia 10 provided a strategic platform for establishing strong foundations for stimulating creative energies and optimally employing research potentials to facilitate the transformation of Arab economies to rely heavily on knowledge and innovation. It also supported the achievement of the region’s sustainable economic and social development goals. Research papers met expectations, with the unique conference witnessing the broad participation of masters and doctoral learners from 49 countries to find out the results of 319 research papers and 23 poster presentations.

The 142 research papers presented during the Quality and Business Management Conference themed ‘Unleashing Innovation, Empowering Entrepreneurship’ focused on procedures for developing corporate governance policies and frameworks designed to empower entrepreneurship and nurture innovation according to four main themes: ‘Business, Management and Entrepreneurship,’ ‘Quality Management and Sustainability,’ ‘Islamic Banking, Finance,’ and ‘Public Management and Government Service Excellence.’

The Smart Learning Conference held under the theme ‘Build Knowledge Based Communities’ successfully drew the support of prominent researchers in spurring change, innovation and excellence in smart education through 79 research papers that dealt with modern concepts on ‘Unleashing Leaders through the Creation of Knowledge Communities,’ ‘A New Wave of Schools as Knowledge-Building Communities,’ and ‘Smart Learning through Sustaining Knowledge Building.’

The Health and Environment Conference centering on ‘Changing Minds, Protecting the Environment,’ on the other hand, gathered high-level participants involved in health and the environment who reviewed leading experiments and new knowledge for addressing health and environmental challenges to achieve a better quality of life in the Arab World through 98 research papers.

The annual congress also honored winning research papers during the simultaneous conferences. Dr. David Cropley from the University of South Australia won for Best Research Paper on the sidelines of the Quality and Business Management Conference for his work on ‘Individual Creativity: Four Building Blocks of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Amal Hussein from HBMSU received the same award during the Health and Environment Conference for her distinguished research paper on ‘Impact of Traffic Congestion on Drivers Commuting Between Sharjah and Dubai Emirates.’ The paper entitled ‘The Impact of Interface Characteristics on the Intention to Use Mobile Digital Library Technology’ co-prepared by Sumayyah Al Faresi from the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training in Kuwait and Kate Hone from Brunel University in the UK was chosen as the Best Research Paper during the Smart Learning Conference.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, said: “Once again, Innovation Arabia has succeeded in laying the foundation for developing innovative solutions for driving the development of sustainable economies in the Arab World. It provided an appropriate environment for stimulating innovation and directing creativity to facilitate the transformation to knowledge-based economies capable of keeping pace with the rapid changes characterizing the 21^st century.”

“The success of the Congress is in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU. We are proud of the achievements of Innovation Arabia, particularly in terms of developing creative ideas for supporting the overall goal of education in the post-2015 development plan, namely ‘Ensure equitable and inclusive quality education and lifelong learning for all by 2030.’ This objective complements the global educational targets set by the UNESCO and intersects with our aspirations to bring about a knowledge revolution via the region’s improved ability to bring about sustainable development,” he added.

Al Awar concluded: “At Innovation Arabia, we focused on the theme of ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Engines of Sustainability’ in order to highlight the increasing need to achieve sustainability via global models that combine innovation, entrepreneurship and economic sectors affecting the present and future of the Arab World – particularly education, health, the environment, and entrepreneurship. We are confident that Innovation Arabia will continue to make us proud and cement its pivotal role as the first and leading platform in the Middle East that anticipates the future of education, business, the environment, healthcare and Islamic banking and finance, in line with the objectives of UAE Vision 2021 and the targets of Dubai Plan 2021.”

The second and third days of the Quality and Business Management Conference included extensive discussions headed by Dr. Tarek Abdel Fattah, Assistant Professor of HBMSU’s School of Business and Quality Management. Among the senior speakers were by Dr. Timothy Mascon, Senior Vice President and Chief Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) of AACSB International, who discussed ‘United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Critical Interface between Business Schools and Business,’ and Dr. Ahmed Al-Nuseirat, who provided a comprehensive vision of ‘The Fourth Generation of Government Excellence in Dubai – A New Approach.’

The conference agenda concluded with a discussion of the main components for achieving success and excellence in the business community, highlighting the ability to anticipate the future based on economic, technological, social, demographic and environmental factors. Training workshops were conducted over the course of three days under the theme ‘Planning by Scenarios – Shaping the Future.’

The outstandingly organized Smart Learning Conference was moderated by Dr. Khadeegha Al Zouebi, Assistant Professor of HBMSU’s School of e-Education. It featured two keynote speakers: Gard Titlestad, Secretary-General of the International Council for Distance Education, who spoke about ‘Learning – Now is the Future,’ and Steven Duggan, Board Member of the UNESCO Institute for Education Information Technology, who presented innovative strategies for ‘Bridging the Next Digital Divide’. The training workshop on ‘Empowering Technology Tools for Education’ was commended for providing an important opportunity to learn more about advanced technologies for improving the learning process by focusing on the skills required for achieving success in the Age of Knowledge.

Dr. Moetaz El Sergany, Environmental Studies Department Chair of HBMSU’s School of Health and Environmental Studies, led the second and third days of the Health and Environment Conference. Professor Hillary Godwin discussed the topic of ‘How can we design and effectively implement programs and policies that benefit both people and the environment?.’ Eng. Aisha Al Abdooli, on the other hand, talked about ‘Glimpse at the Innovation Journey in Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’.

The Congress included a program for improving corporate performance through innovation in designing corporate social responsibility and sustainability programs. It was presented via a workshop on ‘Innovation in Social Responsibility and Sustainability’ which highlighted distinctive corporate experiments in the application of social responsibility and innovation.

Emirates Hospitals Group partners with DHA to provide restorative neurorehabilitation for UAE patients at its Slovakia facility

Emirates Hospitals Group, a leading healthcare services provider in the UAE, has signed an agreement with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to help adult and paediatric patients with neurological disorders avail advanced restorative therapy at ADELI Medical Centre, an international clinic for intensive neurorehabilitation in Pieštany, Slovakia. ADELI Medical Centre is part of the Emirates Hospitals Group network. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA and Mr. Pramod Balakrishnan, CEO of Emirates Hospitals Group, recently.



With this agreement, Emirates Hospitals Group will facilitate DHA’s initiatives to rehabilitate patients from infants, toddlers and children to adults suffering from neurological deficits like cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury and congenital neurological disorders in the UAE. As part of its policy to ensure the best specialised care for deserved patients with neurological disorders, the DHA has approved ADELI Medical Center as one of the key centres for modern neurological rehabilitative therapy for adult and paediatric patients.

DHA has begun sending patients to ADELI Medical Centre. The agreement with Emirates Hospitals Group will facilitate more number of patients to the international centre, depending on the nature of each case. Individual rehabilitation program will be provided to each patient after a thorough analysis of the neurological deficits and their cause, taking into the account the damage caused to the brain, spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system. Commenting on this initiative, HE Humaid Al Qatami said that the DHA strives to strengthen its partnership with the private sector to provide high-quality healthcare services at competitive prices for the public. “Partnerships such as this promotes the development of the healthcare sector in Dubai and enhances corporation between the private and public sector,” he said.

 “The private sector is a strategic partner that can aid the DHA in achieving its goal of elevating the quality of medical services provided by the authority. The DHA appreciates the valuable contribution and efforts of the private healthcare sector in achieving this goal.” Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Pramod Balakrishnan, CEO of Emirates Hospitals Group, said, “We are very pleased to partner with the DHA to avail ADELI’s modern rehabilitation therapy to the UAE patients suffering from genetic, chronic and accidental neurological disorders. This is part of our strategy to add new modalities to our services. We are working now to bring ADELI to the UAE by the end of this year with specific treatment options and technologies, aimed at strengthening the local rehab quality.
At Emirates Hospitals Group, we are diversifying our growth into various domains of health care to ensure we cater effectively to the multi-cultural populace of the country.”

 “Unlike other centres, our aim is to use a patient application system to support them with relevant information on doctors, progress of the treatment to improve patient satisfaction. Emirates Hospitals Group will offer follow-up sessions at its rehab facilities in the UAE to support those cases for longer period as part of comprehensive management of the disease. We have also home care services to be offered when needed to make sure the patients receive an adequate level of care,” he added.
“The agreement with DHA will give Emirates Hospital Group an edge as a leader in the healthcare sector to provide a comprehensive disease management system with rehab centres in the UAE and in Slovakia to deal with various neuro cases including patients in ICUs or ventilation. Rehab facilities under Emirates Hospitals Group in the UAE intend to manage such cases that require long time to provide treatment with expertise, innovative technologies and follow-up after intensive period,” Mr. Pramod further said. ADELI Medical Center is equipped with all the facilities, technologies, expertise and top medical professionals for modern neurorehabilitation.

The biggest benefit for every patient at the ADELI is its highly intensive, customised rehabilitation therapy program with extensive care. The therapeutic community of specialised physicians, therapists, and the staff of various other areas of medicine work in close collaboration with the relatives, or caregivers, for the benefit of the

Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge 2017 to be Launched at Yas Marina Circuit

Twenty-six teams from fifteen countries to showcase advanced robotics technologies at first-of-its-kind contest in the region
Under the prestigious patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi will be hosting the first edition of the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) from March 16 to 18, 2017 at the Yas Island Marina Circuit. The event is organized by Khalifa University and is sponsored by the Information and Communication Technology Fund (ICTF) as a Strategic Sponsor, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) as a Platinum Sponsor, and Norinco as a Gold Sponsor.

The debut contest is the first of its kind in the region, and the biggest of its kind worldwide. It provides a strategic platform for highlighting the latest developments in the field of robotics and will feature 26 teams from 15 countries. The innovative competition will see unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) work with, and against each other, in a series of challenges.

The biennial competition aims to extensively promote the capabilities and uses of robots and reveal their advanced technological capabilities in the areas of navigation, cooperation, perception, and maneuvers using integrated ecosystems. It will host elite designers, innovators, and programmers from different universities and robotics organization around the globe. Winners will be awarded total prize winnings and team sponsorship worth USD 5 million – one of the biggest prizes in the world for such an event.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Khalifa University’s Executive Vice President, said: “This challenge is an excellent opportunity for the participating teams to present new and innovative technologies in the robotics field that build on ground-breaking developments over the past decade. It provides an ideal platform to attract the world’s brightest minds in robotics and stimulate further developments that will lead to more new innovations and discoveries in this field. Through MBZIRC, we hope to solidify the leading position of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as global hub for creativity and innovation. We are very proud of this contest which embodies our commitment to advancing research and development in the engineering and technology fields.”

MBZIRC comprises three challenges plus a triathlon-type Grand Challenge incorporating the previous challenges. A total of 26 teams have been chosen out of a field of 134 candidates representing a number of academic and industrial organizations. Among the academic institutions joining the upcoming challenge are the University of Seville, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Virginia Tech University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Paris – Saclay University, University of New South Wales, University of Applied Sciences Aachen, and King Abdullah University of Sciences and Technology.

Qatar University Accounting Program Earns Endorsement by IMA (Institute of Management Accountants)

DOHA, Qatar University is proud to announce that the school’s accounting program has earned endorsement by IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants), one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
IMA’s Endorsement of Higher Education initiative recognizes programs that meet high educational standards, preparing students to enter into the profession of management accounting.

“Endorsement by IMA is a symbol showing that our college equips Qatari and non-Qatari students with the necessary professional skills for the job market and career progression in business,” said Dr. Khalid Shams Al-Abdulqader, Dean of the College of Business & Economics, Qatar University. “Our programs provide high-quality academic and applied education that is relevant to Qatar and GCC in alignment with our vision to be regionally and internationally recognized.”

To qualify for endorsement by IMA, schools must meet the following criteria: (1) the program must substantially cover the CMA exam content; (2) the program must have adequate faculty resources to deliver this content; (3) the program must be accredited by a recognized accreditation organization (e.g., AACSB, ACBSP, EQUIS, etc.); and (4) a faculty member must be designated as an IMA Campus Advocate. The program offers two tiers of endorsement: full endorsement, for those university programs that meet all endorsement criteria; and provisional endorsement, for programs with some minor to moderate shortcomings in meeting all the criteria for full endorsement.

“IMA is pleased to welcome Qatar University to the growing list of schools that support the CMA exam program and have achieved a consistent standard of excellence,” said Dr. Raef Lawson, CMA, CPA, CFP, CFA, IMA vice president of research and professor-in-residence. “High-quality, up-to-date educational programs that support the current needs of businesses will help future professional management accountants accomplish their career objectives and meet the competency expectations of employers.”

IMA’s globally-recognized CMA program is a relevant assessment of advanced accounting and financial management knowledge in four areas: financial planning, analysis, control and decision support – each of which is increasingly critical in meeting the changing needs of business, and therefore, essential learning for students of accounting and finance.

Al Jazira’s win over Al Ain gets extra special as differently-abled persons join in their victory

Patients of Emirates Rehabilitation and Homecare Centre (EHRH) were invited by the popular Al Jazira Club to relish an evening of pure football in style. Four football-crazy differently-abled patients of the Dubai-based rehab centre were specially invited to watch their favourite team, Al Jazira in action against Al Ain in the Arabian Gulf League match held at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi yesterday.



The patients and their families cheered on ecstatically from the VIP box as Al Jazira scored 2 over Al Ain, while an entire team of medical experts from EHRH readily stood by to take care of the patients.
EHRH is the first-of-its-kind healthcare provider dedicated to long-term recovery, elderly care and home health services in the UAE.

“The Al Jazira Club gave careful attention to ensure the convenience of the patients. It was a truly special evening for each of them, being ardent fans of football, to watch the number one team in the UAE score 2 goals. We are very grateful to the Al Jazira Club for inviting our patients and making this little dream come true for them,” said Dr Walid Achi, CEO of Emirates Rehab and Homecare Services.

‘Building the Future of Education’ on spotlight at GESS Dubai 2017

Leading global education experts will share insights on how to build the future of education at the forthcoming GESS Dubai, to be held on March 14-16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Organised by F&E Education, with the support of the UAE Ministry of Education, GESS Dubai has gathered the world’s foremost authorities and specialists on education transformation, learning, and curriculum development as keynote speakers of the plenary sessions taking place at the Global Education Forum (GEF) happening alongside the region’s premier education exhibition and conference.

Expected to attend the plenary sessions include leaders and key decision makers from the education sector throughout the Gulf region.

Among those who have confirmed participation are Ella Björnsdóttir, Senior Global Consultant-Keynote Speaker, FranklinCovey Education Worldwide; Graham Brown Martin, founder of Learning Without Frontiers; Ilona Boniwell, positivity expert and CEO at Positran; and Dr Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Assistant Professor at the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Faculty of Education, UAE University.

In its 10^th year, GESS Dubai and GEF have adopted the theme “Educate…Inspire…Build the Future” to reflect its long-standing commitment to be a platform for change and growth for the education sector in the Middle East.

Brown will speak on The Future of Learning and how education systems, supported by technological platforms can empower students to create a future society that is sustainable, happier and embraces diversity. “The children who are either entering the school system today or are already in the system will, in their lifetime, witness the greatest challenges that our species as ever faced. Climate change, population, antibiotic resistance, diversity, an ageing population and ideological conflict are just a few of the significant challenges of the 21st century. Our children will need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to reimagine society. There has been much talk in education circles about “21st century skills” and yet without placing these skills within context they are meaningless,” he added.

Boniwell, another keynote speaker, will talk about Building children’s resilience and emotional wellbeing, using insights from positive education that brings together the findings of positive psychology and education to equip students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to become more resilient and productive.

Meanwhile, Dr Al Suwaidi keynotes three presentations, including Schools without Thinking, which looks at mistakes schools make in teaching their students how to think; as well as the Extinction of the Teacher, which hopes to inspire teachers to keep in step with the evolving education landscape, to make them more relevant and their profession more responsive to the needs of schools and students in today’s rapidly changing world.

“These experts have been invited to share their expertise on how the teaching and learning experience can be positively transformed to ensure they are responsive to the needs of teachers and students, as well as to make education relevant to the needs of the Arab world as a whole,” said Matt Thompson, Project Director, F&E Education, organisers of GESS Dubai.

Aside from the plenary talks, education professionals visiting GESS Dubai will also learn from other experts featured in over 200 sessions, workshops and presentations that will dissect some of the most pressing challenges confronting the education sector in the region, as well as the latest trends on pedagogy and teaching methodologies, curriculum advances, and other important issues shaping discussions on quality education, learning improvements, future learning, health and wellness, among others.

GESS Dubai’s exhibition component, meanwhile, will continue to showcase the very latest products, services and solutions covering a broad spectrum of business categories – from books and uniforms, to gadgets and technologies as well as furniture that can significantly impact the delivery of instruction, improve student learning and performance, enhance teacher effectives.

“These exchanges not only contribute to business growth, but ultimately have an impact on raising education standards and developing the education market in this part of the world,” added Thompson.
This year, GESS Dubai will have over 550 suppliers representing 39 countries, with several country pavilions grouping exhibiting suppliers from the U.K., Germany, U.S.A., Korea and China.
GESS Dubai is also thrilled to provide attendees a brand new and exclusive training concept to the event this year. The GESS Leadership Lab, powered by NoTosh, has never before been seen in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and will provide a creative training space where active participants can tackle their own leadership challenges with NoTosh’s innovative tool kits.

HBMSU presents innovative international project for educating refugees during UNESCO’s Mobile Learning Week 2017

Dr. Al Awar emphasizes importance of Smart Learning in achieving Sustainable Development Goal of ‘Ensuring Equitable and Inclusive Quality Learning for All’ by 2030

UAE, March 22, 2017 – Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the United Nations Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO), joined an elite group of international leaders and experts participating in Mobile Learning Week (MLW) 2017 held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France under the theme ‘Education in Emergencies and Crises.’ He presented an ambitious international project for providing quality learning to refugees using HBMSU’s proven innovative and ‘smart’ teaching methodologies based primarily on the Lifelong Learning Model.

Dr. Al Awar further emphasized the urgent need for concerted global efforts to address emerging challenges from the growing number of conflicts, disasters, and other human crises arising around the globe. He called on the international community to join hands in ensuring a transformational and inclusive education that brings hope for a better future and ensures the welfare and decent lives of new generations.

The Chancellor also shared how HBMSU’s best practices and successful experience have had a positive impact on learning in the Arab World in line with the wise vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the full supervision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU, to bring the UAE at the forefront in re-engineering and reshaping higher education.

He also outlined HBMSU’s roadmap for the future based on Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Cloud Computing, and the Internet of Things. He detailed the University’s educational philosophy which he explained is founded on the fundamental principles of flexibility, quality, and facilitating direct access to the best educational opportunities in a cost-effective manner. Dr. Al Awar touched on the major role played by HBMSU’s application of the Lifelong Learning Model which serves as a cornerstone for effecting positive change in the lives of people around the world and realizing the goal of the Incheon Declaration of the 2015 World Education Forum to provide lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Dr. Al Awar’s presentation on ‘Education for All: Smart Learning Creates the Future’ provided in-depth insights on the role of smart learning in reshaping the future and providing education for everyone in keeping with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of ‘Ensuring Equitable and Inclusive Quality Education for All. The Chancellor shed light on HBMSU’s proactive efforts to reshape the future of higher education in the Arab World through innovative and smart learning approaches that meet the requirements of the 21st century.

Dr. Al Awar said: “We are fully committed to supporting international endeavors towards formulating a new vision for education that creates positive change and guarantees inclusive education for a better life by 2030 based on the Lifelong Learning Model. This model embodies the essence of our educational philosophy which is driven by the adoption of smart technology, innovation, quality, and scientific research towards comprehensive development.”

This year marks HBMSU’s second consecutive participation in Mobile Learning Week which UNESCO holds annually to highlight the role of information technology in advancing learning around the world. The 2017 edition revolved around the impact of modern technology in promoting the integration of education and ensuring the continuity of learning even in the midst of conflicts and disasters. It also explored possible ways to provide educational opportunities for refugees and migrants, facilitate the integration of learners in schools and new communities, encourage innovation in the education industry, and improve human performance.

Emirates Hospitals Group participates in Dubai Medical Tourism roadshows in Nigeria and Ghana

Emirates Hospitals Group, a leading healthcare services provider in the UAE, participated in the Dubai Medical Tourism Roadshows organized in Nigeria and Ghana recently. The roadshows brought together healthcare facilities and travel operators specialized in medical tourism to meet with Dubai-based facilities to sign agreements and begin referring on patients for treatment in Dubai.

Television’s iconic dance reality show Nach Baliye is back with season 8

Television’s iconic dance reality show Nach Baliye is back with season 8

~ Because When in love, you’re a different person ~

LOVE is the best emotion a person can experience, and when LOVE is expressed through DANCE, it is bound to set the stage on fire.
Television’s favourite dance reality show Nach Baliye Season 8 is set to do just that. Nach Baliye, a show that celebrates the spirit of partnership through the exuberance of dance is all set to get the mercury soaring this season with a new line up of celebrity couples taking to the challenge!

We are not the same person when in love! So are celebrities in any way different? We as fans know and love many of these celebrities; but how are they when in LOVE? Are they the same person we know? Nach Baliye Season8 will surprise viewers as it will unfold the unseen side of our favourite celebrity couples. The 8^th Season of the most awaited show on television will bring together an array of the most amazing couples, who would be celebrating their love on the stage of Nach Baliye and raise our heartbeat through their ‘Romance-wala Dance’ ! The show brings on board, the masters of ‘Romance and Dance, our judges – Sonakshi Sinha, Terence Lewis and Mohit Suri.

Produced by BBC, Season 8 of Nach Baliye brings together 10 celebrity Jodis that include Divyanka- Vivek Dahiya, Bharti Singh – Harsh Limbacheye, Sanaya – Mohit Sehgal, Pritam – Amanjot Singh, Dipika Kakkar – Shoaib Ibrahim, Siddarth – Trupti Jadhav, Utkarsha Naik – Manoj Verma, Sanam Johar – Abhigail Pandey, Aashka Goradia- Brent Goble, Monalisa Antara – Vikrant Singh.
On the onset of this new season, first- time judge of a dance reality show Sonakshi Sinha says, “I’m thrilled and equally excited to be part of season 8 of Nach Baliye. I’m a romantic person at heart and I have come on board to surround myself with love. I’m the Idealist and I’m here to see true love stories unfold, their chemistry and gauge which are the ones with ALL HEART”. Terrence Lewis adds, “This season I would be the Perfectionist and according to me Perfect Love reflects in Perfect Acts. I believe when the going gets tough the love gets growing. I’ll keep a track of couples’ dancing journeys and will be looking for the PERFECT PERFORMANCES IN LOVE!” Mohit Suri says, ““My role is that of a Realist in the show. I believe Love is not perfect. In fact, true love lies in imperfections. I feel “Agar jodi zyada hasti hai toh matlab unke beech kuch gadbad hai…” I’m here to see ‘the bigger picture’ and read between the lines when it comes to relationships.
”
The couples this season are a mixed bag of young love stories, newly married and seasoned marriages. While Nach Baliye is a platform for Divyanka – Vivek who have just started their journey, to spend more time together amidst their hectic schedules. Siddharth – Trupti, Pritam – Amanjot and Utkarsha – Manoj have been married since long.

In some cases, both halves of the couple are actors and TV personalities, whereas in some cases such as Aashka and Brent Goble, Brent is an NRI and the viewers would get to see the English Babu of the Desi Mem on the stage of Nach Baliye Season8. The dance show will add a whole new exciting edge to their relationship and prove to enhance their love story.

Nach Baliye 8 will be a wholesome package of entertainment with love, romance, dance and fun. Hosts on the show would be Karan Tacker and Kunj who will add their brand of humour and banter to this drama-filled dance show.

This April it will be romance in the air, as viewers will get to see the unseen side of their favourite ‘celeb jodis in love’ and their ‘Romance-wala Dance’.

SUC welcomed different nationalities at the 4th ICBM: Fin-Tech Driven Age

In line with the National Agenda, the government of UAE aims to transform the country as one of the best in promoting competitive knowledge economy. Hence, the International Conference Committee of Skyline University College has organized the 4^th International Conference on Business and Management (ICBM) with the theme: “Fin-Tech Driven Age” on March 26-27, 2017 at SUC Campus in University City, Sharjah. The conference committee this year was led by Dr. Manuel Fernandez and Dr. J. Shanmugan.

The keynote speakers of the conference were Dr. Falah Hassan AlHusseni, Financial System Expert and Director of Decision Support Office-Government of Sharjah, and Ms. Fiona Fox, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Chief of Staff-Office of the Managing Director, MEMA. The Best Paper Award went to Assistant Professor Nijumon K John of Christ University, Bangalore India while Assistant Professor Dr. Kavita Chavali of Dhofar University, Sultanate of Oman bagged the Research Scholar Best Paper Award.

The conference has attracted a large number of researchers, academicians, scholars, corporate executives, and government officials from 10 countries such as India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Canada, UK, Pakistan, Oman, Egypt, and Palestine including the UAE. The conference has served as a platform for the delegates to set forth their works and a venue to acquire new approaches and methodologies.

ICBM 2017 gave light to different areas such as Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operations, Economics, Tourism, and other disciplines in this Fin-Tech age that the business world is currently in as well as explored the trends to create relevant strategies. “‘Fin-Tech’ has entered into the lives of large population all over the world and was the main theme of SUC international conference this year. Skyline provided academics, industry professionals and government officials a platform to deliberate on the future of ‘Fin-Tech’ and how it impacts common man’s life. We had over 100 delegates both national and international who had a great time during the 2-day conference. We will continue to organize more conferences in the future,” SUC Dean, Dr. Amitabh Upadhya stated.

Skyline University College organizes International Conference on Business and Management annually as part of the university’s vision and mission to promote academic excellence throughout the region and the world.

UAE emerging as global education hub amidst influx of regional and global learners

GETEX 2017 to feature renowned international universities and academic institutions
April 03, 2017 – Tertiary enrollment in the UAE continues to rise as a direct result of its population boom and growing status as a destination of choice among overseas students seeking quality international higher education. According to an industry study, the UAE will need around 42,000 additional seats by 2020 to accommodate the expected influx of learners from all over the world.
In the last decade, the UAE has transformed itself into Asia’s top education hub and one of the globe’s important destinations of learning. Dubai is home to a number of well-respected international universities and renowned higher academic institutions with best-in-class and diverse science, technology, and engineering courses, to name a few. Students from the region and around the world are coming to the country to enroll in globally recognized academic programs in these premier institutions.

Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), said: “The competitiveness of UAE universities has exceled over the years due in part to the tremendous focus of the country’s wise leaders on high-quality education in line with UAE Vision 2021. The UAE provides young and mature learners alike with unprecedented access to top-notch courses being offered by esteemed international universities operating here.
The diversity of Dubai students is clear proof of the country’s popularity among a wide range of local, regional and international learners. According to a research released by the Parthenon Group, the transnational student market in Dubai is in fact one of the fastest growing sector, which has expanded at a rate of 15 per cent and enjoyed a revenue worth USD 148 million (AED 544.3 million) over the past years. We are confident that this growth will continue as international interest remains high.”
“In terms of education, the Emirates is enjoying unrivaled advantages and a competitive edge. Many academic institutions here boast of quality education and diverse in-demand courses, in addition to well-trained faculty members and state-of-the-art, technology-centric learning methods and facilities. More importantly, the local education sector offers exciting and all-encompassing scholarship opportunities. All these factors are making the UAE a destination of choice and one of the world’s exceptional education providers,” said Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President RIT Dubai.

According to Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), and organizer of Gulf Education & Training Exhibition (GETEX), the region’s leading student recruitment event, the UAE Government’s intensive efforts to continuously enhance and improve the education sector are aligned with the goal of achieving knowledge- and innovation-driven economic development and growth. Reports say the government has earmarked AED 10.2 billion for general and higher education this year. The amount accounts for 20.5 per cent of the AED 48.7 billion 2017 federal budget.

“This year, GETEX is returning with more innovative features designed to benefit and meet the unique, modern-day requirements of both students and universities. Learners of various nationalities and from different age groups will have an opportunity to effectively touch base with representatives from educational institutions and professional training providers, while participating organizations will be able to reach out to as many prospective students as possible to allow them to meet their enrollment targets and achieve successful student conversions. We invite everyone to sign up in this important event for a chance to capitalize on and maximize many unmatched student recruitment opportunities, “added Godinho.

Organized by IC&E, this year’s GETEX will take place from April 13 to 15, 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Complete details on the Gulf Education & Training Exhibition are available at www.mygetex.com.

HBMSU presents innovative international project for educating refugees during UNESCO’s Mobile Learning Week 2017

Dr. Al Awar emphasizes importance of Smart Learning in achieving Sustainable Development Goal of ‘Ensuring Equitable and Inclusive Quality Learning for All’ by 2030

UAE, March 22, 2017 – Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the United Nations Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO), joined an elite group of international leaders and experts participating in Mobile Learning Week (MLW) 2017 held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France under the theme ‘Education in Emergencies and Crises.’ He presented an ambitious international project for providing quality learning to refugees using HBMSU’s proven innovative and ‘smart’ teaching methodologies based primarily on the Lifelong Learning Model.

Dr. Al Awar further emphasized the urgent need for concerted global efforts to address emerging challenges from the growing number of conflicts, disasters, and other human crises arising around the globe. He called on the international community to join hands in ensuring a transformational and inclusive education that brings hope for a better future and ensures the welfare and decent lives of new generations.

The Chancellor also shared how HBMSU’s best practices and successful experience have had a positive impact on learning in the Arab World in line with the wise vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the full supervision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU, to bring the UAE at the forefront in re-engineering and reshaping higher education.

He also outlined HBMSU’s roadmap for the future based on Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Cloud Computing, and the Internet of Things. He detailed the University’s educational philosophy which he explained is founded on the fundamental principles of flexibility, quality, and facilitating direct access to the best educational opportunities in a cost-effective manner. Dr. Al Awar touched on the major role played by HBMSU’s application of the Lifelong Learning Model which serves as a cornerstone for effecting positive change in the lives of people around the world and realizing the goal of the Incheon Declaration of the 2015 World Education Forum to provide lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Dr. Al Awar’s presentation on ‘Education for All: Smart Learning Creates the Future’ provided in-depth insights on the role of smart learning in reshaping the future and providing education for everyone in keeping with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of ‘Ensuring Equitable and Inclusive Quality Education for All. The Chancellor shed light on HBMSU’s proactive efforts to reshape the future of higher education in the Arab World through innovative and smart learning approaches that meet the requirements of the 21st century.

Dr. Al Awar said: “We are fully committed to supporting international endeavors towards formulating a new vision for education that creates positive change and guarantees inclusive education for a better life by 2030 based on the Lifelong Learning Model. This model embodies the essence of our educational philosophy which is driven by the adoption of smart technology, innovation, quality, and scientific research towards comprehensive development.”

This year marks HBMSU’s second consecutive participation in Mobile Learning Week which UNESCO holds annually to highlight the role of information technology in advancing learning around the world. The 2017 edition revolved around the impact of modern technology in promoting the integration of education and ensuring the continuity of learning even in the midst of conflicts and disasters. It also explored possible ways to provide educational opportunities for refugees and migrants, facilitate the integration of learners in schools and new communities, encourage innovation in the education industry, and improve human performance.

Television’s iconic dance reality show Nach Baliye is back with season 8

Television’s iconic dance reality show Nach Baliye is back with season 8

~ Because When in love, you’re a different person ~

LOVE is the best emotion a person can experience, and when LOVE is expressed through DANCE, it is bound to set the stage on fire.
Television’s favourite dance reality show Nach Baliye Season 8 is set to do just that. Nach Baliye, a show that celebrates the spirit of partnership through the exuberance of dance is all set to get the mercury soaring this season with a new line up of celebrity couples taking to the challenge!
We are not the same person when in love! So are celebrities in any way different? We as fans know and love many of these celebrities; but how are they when in LOVE? Are they the same person we know? Nach Baliye Season8 will surprise viewers as it will unfold the unseen side of our favourite celebrity couples. The 8^th Season of the most awaited show on television will bring together an array of the most amazing couples, who would be celebrating their love on the stage of Nach Baliye and raise our heartbeat through their ‘Romance-wala Dance’ ! The show brings on board, the masters of ‘Romance and Dance, our judges – Sonakshi Sinha, Terence Lewis and Mohit Suri.

Produced by BBC, Season 8 of Nach Baliye brings together 10 celebrity Jodis that include Divyanka- Vivek Dahiya, Bharti Singh – Harsh Limbacheye, Sanaya – Mohit Sehgal, Pritam – Amanjot Singh, Dipika Kakkar – Shoaib Ibrahim, Siddarth – Trupti Jadhav, Utkarsha Naik – Manoj Verma, Sanam Johar – Abhigail Pandey, Aashka Goradia- Brent Goble, Monalisa Antara – Vikrant Singh.

On the onset of this new season, first- time judge of a dance reality show Sonakshi Sinha says, “I’m thrilled and equally excited to be part of season 8 of Nach Baliye. I’m a romantic person at heart and I have come on board to surround myself with love. I’m the Idealist and I’m here to see true love stories unfold, their chemistry and gauge which are the ones with ALL HEART”. Terrence Lewis adds, “This season I would be the Perfectionist and according to me Perfect Love reflects in Perfect Acts. I believe when the going gets tough the love gets growing. I’ll keep a track of couples’ dancing journeys and will be looking for the PERFECT PERFORMANCES IN LOVE!” Mohit Suri says, ““My role is that of a Realist in the show. I believe Love is not perfect. In fact, true love lies in imperfections. I feel “Agar jodi zyada hasti hai toh matlab unke beech kuch gadbad hai…” I’m here to see ‘the bigger picture’ and read between the lines when it comes to relationships.”

The couples this season are a mixed bag of young love stories, newly married and seasoned marriages. While Nach Baliye is a platform for Divyanka – Vivek who have just started their journey, to spend more time together amidst their hectic schedules. Siddharth – Trupti, Pritam – Amanjot and Utkarsha – Manoj have been married since long.

In some cases, both halves of the couple are actors and TV personalities, whereas in some cases such as Aashka and Brent Goble, Brent is an NRI and the viewers would get to see the English Babu of the Desi Mem on the stage of Nach Baliye Season8. The dance show will add a whole new exciting edge to their relationship and prove to enhance their love story.

Nach Baliye 8 will be a wholesome package of entertainment with love, romance, dance and fun. Hosts on the show would be Karan Tacker and Kunj who will add their brand of humour and banter to this drama-filled dance show.

This April it will be romance in the air, as viewers will get to see the unseen side of their favourite ‘celeb jodis in love’ and their ‘Romance-wala Dance’.

SUC welcomed different nationalities at the 4th ICBM: Fin-Tech Driven Age

In line with the National Agenda, the government of UAE aims to transform the country as one of the best in promoting competitive knowledge economy. Hence, the International Conference Committee of Skyline University College has organized the 4^th International Conference on Business and Management (ICBM) with the theme: “Fin-Tech Driven Age” on March 26-27, 2017 at SUC Campus in University City, Sharjah. The conference committee this year was led by Dr. Manuel Fernandez and Dr. J. Shanmugan.

The keynote speakers of the conference were Dr. Falah Hassan AlHusseni, Financial System Expert and Director of Decision Support Office-Government of Sharjah, and Ms. Fiona Fox, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Chief of Staff-Office of the Managing Director, MEMA. The Best Paper Award went to Assistant Professor Nijumon K John of Christ University, Bangalore India while Assistant Professor Dr. Kavita Chavali of Dhofar University, Sultanate of Oman bagged the Research Scholar Best Paper Award.

The conference has attracted a large number of researchers, academicians, scholars, corporate executives, and government officials from 10 countries such as India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Canada, UK, Pakistan, Oman, Egypt, and Palestine including the UAE. The conference has served as a platform for the delegates to set forth their works and a venue to acquire new approaches and methodologies.

ICBM 2017 gave light to different areas such as Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operations, Economics, Tourism, and other disciplines in this Fin-Tech age that the business world is currently in as well as explored the trends to create relevant strategies. “‘Fin-Tech’ has entered into the lives of large population all over the world and was the main theme of SUC international conference this year. Skyline provided academics, industry professionals and government officials a platform to deliberate on the future of ‘Fin-Tech’ and how it impacts common man’s life. 

We had over 100 delegates both national and international who had a great time during the 2-day conference. We will continue to organize more conferences in the future,” SUC Dean, Dr. Amitabh Upadhya stated.
Skyline University College organizes International Conference on Business and Management annually as part of the university’s vision and mission to promote academic excellence throughout the region and the world.

Abu Dhabi Teachers Receive Cybersecurity Training

About 200 teachers and administrative staff in Abu Dhabi were trained in cybersecurity as part of a first-of-its-kind programme offered by Abu Dhabi Education Council, ADEC, and the National Electronic Security Authority, NESA UAE, to prepare citizens to obtain the Cyber C3 certification.

Cyber C3, or Cyber Communication Culture Certificate, was specially developed and designed in the UAE to produce digitally literate and responsible citizens.

The training was part of a week-long professional development programme.

ADEC is keen on improving teachers’ qualifications through professional development programmes, said Mohammad Salem Al-Dhaheri, ADEC’s Executive Director of School Operations Sector.

The council seeks to enhance co-operation with various local institutions to provide pioneer programmes that contribute towards knowledge and professional development, he said.

NESA UAE seeks to promote a cybersecurity culture and protect children from new cyber risks.

Source: WAM/MMYS

Year of Giving reflects Sheikh Zayed’s Insightful Vision…

Year of Giving reflects Sheikh Zayed’s insightful vision, says Ruler’s Representative in Western Region

The declaration of 2017 as the Year of Giving by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan reflects the insightful vision of the founder of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for putting people at the centre of all humanitarian efforts, said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of the Emirates Red Crescent.

He was speaking on the occasion of the UAE Food Bank launch, announced today by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as part of the Year of Giving initiative.

“Pursuance of generous giving is no unusual approach for our wise leadership, namely, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who learnt from late Sheikh Zayed, the source of goodness, who benefited the Emiratis as well as all people, regardless of their faith or sex, and managed to transform the UAE into a world major donor of food, medicine and clothing,” Sheikh Hamadan said.

“God willing, the UAE’s journey of generous giving will continue to achieve its goals,” he added, calling upon citizens and expatriates to strengthen their solidarity and rush to charity work to help the needy through the UAE Food Bank project.

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has approved the official logo of the ‘Year of Giving 2017’, to be used by all local, government and media entities in all campaigns, programmes and initiatives related to the initiative.

The design of the logo reflects all meanings of giving, and includes the initiative’s three factors of social responsibility, volunteering and serving the country, in addition to the year 2017.

In his remarks on the occasion, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Higher National Committee for the Year of Giving said that the official logo, approved by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be circulated to all entities as of Sunday, 1st January, 2017.

Al Gergawi said, “The outstanding official and societal interaction with the Year of Giving, launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will contribute notably to achieving the objectives of the initiative and we expect qualitative initiatives and exceptional success in 2017”.

“We also expect the positive participation of the private sector and social figures to translate the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa to be achieved by the end of the year,” he added.

All the materials and technical elements of slogan are available through the Public Diplomacy Office of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, and online at info@pdo.gov.ae.

He noted that the word ‘Giving’ represents the main component of the logo and that last letter of ‘Al Khair’ in Arabic (Giving) was written in the form of the frond of a palm tree, as palm trees represent a huge morale and cultural value in the UAE, combining the identity, geography and heritage of the country.

The Chairman of the Committee added that the palm tree used to have special status in the heart of the giving pioneer, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He said that Sheikh Zayed had paid notable attention to palm trees and worked on planting millions of them in the oases, cities and deserts of the country. The UAE achieved a world record in 2009 with the largest number of palm trees in the world in comparison to it area.

He also said that the fronds of the palm trees were being used specifically to be a symbol of the Year of Giving to reveal the importance of this blessed tree. People can benefit from every single part and component of palm trees. People can eat their fruit, its fronds are used in building houses, and other parts can be used in many local handicrafts.

He also reiterated that palm trees have been a source of life for human beings throughout the ages, adding they were mentioned in the Holy Quran more than 20 times and hailed by a Hadith of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

He also pointed out it was taken into account when designing the logo to embody the nature of the UAE, through choosing seven leaves in the frond of the palm tree on both sides, which which on one side represent the seven emirates of the UAE and the harmony and unity among them, and on the other side refer to the contributions and achievements of the people in all the seven emirates of the country, as well as other segments of the UAE community.

He added that the yellow and gold colour reflect the Sun which refers to the beginning of a new day and symbolises hope, joy, happiness, positive energy and optimism.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2017 as the ‘Year of Giving’ in the UAE and the initiative focuses on three main pillars: creating a sense of community responsibility in the private sector, enhancing the spirit of volunteering and encouraging specialised volunteer programmes, and instilling loyalty and commitment in the next generations to serve their country.

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, directed the formation of the Higher National Committee for the Year of Giving initiative. The Committee includes seven Federal Ministers and Secretaries-General of the Emirates’ Executive Councils in the UAE.

Source: WAM/Hazem/AAMIR

HBMSU leads Arab World at International Council for Open and Distance Education’s ‘Quality Network’

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has joined the ranks of international academic and research institutions which recently got the ‘Quality Network’ membership from the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). The membership is HBMSU’s latest global achievement supporting UNESCO’s efforts to raise the quality of higher education which in turn helps advancing sustainable national development.

It also reflects the university’s highest level of achievement as the premier institution which promotes quality education in the Arab World based on the smart education model and lifelong learning, as well as an active contributor in translating UNESCO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, by ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting life-long learning.

HBMSU has made one step closer on the path to excellence by reinforcing the culture of quality education in the Arab World through the nomination of Dr. Soma Al Haj Ali, Director of Excellence and Governance Center as the regional general coordinator for quality within ICDE’s ‘Quality Network’. Becoming part of the ‘Quality Network’ opens huge opportunities for HBMSU to consolidate the efforts of regional and international academic institutions in supporting the joint initiatives between ICDE and UNESCO. These initiatives aim to promote quality in smart, open and flexible education in line with international standards aimed at advancing higher education which is necessary to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development and building safer communities around the world.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, said that HMBSU’s successive achievements in reshaping the future of education in the Arab World in line with the requirements of the 21st century are moving forward with the consistent guidance and the wise directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the University. Al Awar noted that joining the ‘Quality Network’ as a representative of the Arab World in the ICDE is an addition to the UAE’s achievements as the country has always been a leader in enriching knowledge and strengthening the smart learning culture in the Arab World based on the highest quality standards and innovation so that young generations are able to explore and make a better, more secure and sustainable future.

He further highlighted that ‘Quality Network’ at ICDE plays an important role in establishing a culture of open and flexible education necessary in establishing a major and positive change for future generations around the world, particularly in the Middle East. He added that HBMSU is committed to supporting ‘Quality Network’ and meet its objectives of making lifelong learning a fundamental tool for improving the lives of people. This effort serves to support UNESCO’s goals embodied in Education 2030, which seeks to ensure equitable and comprehensive quality education and improve opportunities for lifelong education for all.

Al Awar added: “We are glad that Dr. Soma Al Haj Ali have chosen as the regional general coordinator for quality in the Arab World. This is a big achievement and a new responsibility that urges us to continue our cooperation with the ICDE and explore new horizons for developing education, in line with the knowledge economy and local and regional sustainable development goals. We are committed to international efforts in providing high quality education for all, as it is the driving force towards building stable, secure and prosperous societies. We are confident that joining the ICDE’s ‘Quality Network’ will further boost the concept of distance learning. It lays a strong foundation for the role of alternative educational platforms in bringing about development through innovation, quality and smart transformation.”

 The ICDE puts quality education and lifelong learning among its main objectives and is committed to support UNESCO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The ICDE has a strategic partnership with UNESCO which focuses on international coordination in providing education for all through smart, flexible and open education as a means to improve the lives of people around the world and support the efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development.

Moral Education subject will serve objectives of Year of Giving: ADEC official

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has said the pilot programme to impart Moral Education in schools, set to be launched with the start of the second trimester next Sunday (8th January), will help achieve the objectives of the ‘Year of Giving,’ declared by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, last week.

The programme will particularly focus on community services.

The subject is being included in school curricula following co-operation and co-ordination among the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council and other relevant institutions.

A plan to introduce Mandatory Moral Education for schoolchildren in the UAE was first announced in July by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Initially, Moral Education is being introduced as a subject in public and private schools in the form of a pilot programme to elicit feedback from parents and educators before it is finalised and officially launched.

The key elements in the subject include ethics, personal and community development, culture and heritage, civic education and human rights and responsibilities.

Emphasising the importance of values and morals in building nations, Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the ADEC, said, “The initiative aims to promote ethical values among school students as well as noble concepts, such as tolerance, respect and community participation. This will be achieved by developing scientific educational programmes and frameworks to ensure the subject is integrated with the national education curriculum.

“It seeks to develop a spirit of proactive and positive interaction and responsibility, and encourage a love of learning, creativity, innovation and ambition in students,” he added.

Dr. Al Nuaimi indicated that the challenges of the 21st century required government, educators and parents to work together to teach ethics and community values to young people, and build an educated, cultured society that is deeply committed to its national identity as well as cultural and moral values.

Sara Al Suwaidi, Acting Manager of Curriculum Division, ADEC, said the pilot project would be implemented as the second trimester begins next week in nine public and private schools.

”The subject will be taught under this pilot project to more than 2,000 Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 school students,” she revealed in an interview with the Emirates News Agency, WAM.

”The Moral Education curriculum comprises four units: Character and Morality; Individual and the Community; Civic Studies and Cultural Studies,” Al Suwaidi explained.

These units, she indicated, teach students values and concepts of fairness and affection, caring and honesty, tolerance and respect for difference, resilience and perseverance, equality and appreciation, thoughtfulness and co-operation, peace and responsibility, hard work and perseverance, cognitive and emotional apathy, similarities and differences, intercultural relationships, understanding UAE culture, and influence of trade and travel and communication on culture as well as global economy and globalisation.

The focus will also be on values such as taking responsibility, ethics in sports, physical health and diet, mental health, making good decisions, digital challenges, valuing diversity, dealing with conflict, financial awareness and literacy, moral character and the virtue of ethics, respect and tolerance in a diverse society, individual moral responsibilities and duties, human needs, morality in the context of communities, morality in the context of states and introduction to global ethics.

Students will also learn about how the UAE grew into a diverse and inclusive society, the importance of cultural exchange and the position of the UAE in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, growth of consultative governance in the UAE, governments and authority and the UAE judicial system.

Al Suwaidi added that the ADEC had organised a three-day training programme for teachers in preparation for the launch of the pilot phase of Moral Education as a subject across nine public and private schools.

The programme, which was organised as part of the Professional Development Week from 2nd-5th January, aimed to enhance teachers’ efficiency and to ensure they acquired the necessary knowledge and skills needed for teaching the newly introduced subject.

The training programme also aimed to introduce leaders and teachers of the Moral Education subject to its content and the pedagogy involved in teaching its units. It also offered educators an opportunity to reflect on the current methods of teaching in their schools and plans for launching the pilot programme.

The training programme also focused on the importance of a parent’s role and engagement.

”Moral Education will be taught as a subject once a week in the participating public and private schools as part of the Social Studies classes since both subjects include similar core objectives and topics,” Al Suwaidi told WAM.

As for the language of instruction, the subject will be delivered in Arabic in the public schools and in English in schools following foreign curricula.

”Introduction of Moral Education as a subject is part of the UAE Vision to provide a first-rate education system and build students with integrity of character,” she said.

The newly introduced subject reflects the ADEC’s mission to provide students with world-class education while also ensuring that students have a balanced and well-grounded personality that can be sustained by learning Moral Education as a subject.

The ADEC said proper training will be provided for teachers and school principals to introduce them to the programme as well as methods of application and assessment, which will focus on the practical side through hands-on projects and community service activities line with the ‘Year of Giving.’
Source: WAM/tfaham