University presents paper on “Impact of e-Learning in the Spread of Knowledge”
May 15, 2013
As a leader in the field of e-Learning across the Arab world and a key contributor to sustainable social and human development in the region and around the world, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU) recently participated in the Second International Conference on Arabic Language, one of the Arab region’s leading cultural and academic events which was held in Dubai under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, under the theme “Arabic Language in Danger: All Are Partners in Protection”. The event featured a dedicated seminar on “Teaching the Arabic Language over Latest Needs”, during which Dr. Talal Mohammed Al Darwish, Head of HBMeU’s Centre for Arabization and Program Integrity (CAPI), presented a paper entitled “Impact of e-Learning in the Spread of Knowledge… HBMeU’s Experience”.
Al Darwish commenced discussions with a focus on “Our Children and Knowledge”, underlining the Arab region’s current cultural status where the young generation tends to use foreign languages at the expense of their native Arabic language, known to be the language of eloquent literature and articulate expressions. Al Darwish pointed out that factors such as poor quality of school and university learning; dissemination of modern technology; and a learning environment which fails to find a balance between educational needs and real world requirements, as the main reasons why young Arabs are reluctant to boost their knowledge and enhance their native language.
Al Darwish further touched upon HBMeU’s extensive experience in the launch of leading initiatives that address the fields of university learning and e-learning across the Arab world; one of which is Cloud Campus the Social Online Learning initiative which follows the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMeU, to strengthen the culture of e-learning and promote optimal adoption of advanced technologies and social networks to spread knowledge among the Emirati and Arab youth.
“Cloud Campus embodies the true vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve a real change in education, which is considered a key pillar of the UAE Vision 2021”, Al Darwish said. “This initiative is not limited to education alone, it is based on an integrated approach that reinforces social responsibility among young people through the direct and effective use of the internet.”
For his part, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor, HBMeU, said that the Cloud Campus initiative is instrumental in raising the bar of e-learning through social networks and is poised to make a positive change in the industry as it offers online content in Arabic language in order to reach a larger segment of learners in the Arab world.
He added: “The Second International Conference on Arabic Language is a key demonstration of the UAE’s approach to safeguard and protect the Arabic Language from the emerging challenges of cultural globalization. HBMeU is committed to strengthening the role of Arabic Language in scientific and knowledge-based events in the region and worldwide.”
The conference was organized by the International Council for Arabic Language in cooperation with UNESCO, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and the Association of Arab Universities, and in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office. It attracted around 1,000 high-profile Emirati, Arab, Islamic and foreign personalities from 70 Arab and non-Arab countries to discuss nearly 370 research papers over 63 sessions that included private seminars and open panel discussions.
The Centre for Arabization and Program Integrity (CAPI) is one of the leading intellectual forums in the Arab world, where high-profile Arab practitioners and academics work together to enrich the Arabic Library with leading researches, studies and Arabized books. The mission of CAPI is to become a center of excellence in facilitating learning in Arabic while meeting latest needs. It offers Arabization, research, proofreading and editing services, based on the core values of authenticity, linguistic precision, subject area knowledge, methodology, consistency and standards to ensure best Arabic translations.