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World’s leading learning company puts pursuit of efficacy at centre of strategy with implications for GCC operations .

Pearson commits to measure and report impact on learning outcomes

Dubai, UAE, 24 November 2013: Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, has announced a series of unique commitments designed to measure and increase the company’s impact on learning outcomes around the world, including the Gulf region where the company has a significant presence.
As part of a new global education strategy which sets out to help more people make progress in their lives through learning, Pearson has:

·         Committed to report audited learning outcomes, measures and targets alongside its financial accounts, covering its whole business by 2018;
·         Shared plans to “institutionalise” efficacy across Pearson’s organisation, creating dedicated focus and incentives towards learning outcomes targets for all business areas;
·         Published its Efficacy Framework – Pearson’s approach for ensuring its products and services enable students to learn what they need to make progress – for feedback and improvement;
·         Promised to develop a global research network to gather the evidence needed on the “path to efficacy”, and openly to share and broker debate around its findings.
The company’s ambition is to ensurethat its work is driven by an ever-clearer understanding of how it can maximise and measure its impact on learning outcomes, drawing on the lessons of the healthcare industry to invest in research and development and build new partnerships that will address the most pressing unmet needs in education.
Mr FadiKhalek, Pearson’s Vice President of Higher Education and Applied Learning in the Arab region says: “Since launching in the Middle East over half a century ago, Pearson has worked closely with learning institutions, governments and individuals to create effective learning solutions that have a positive impact on communities throughout the region. Pearson’s new commitment to efficacy allows us to continue with our journey to move from inputs to outcomes. We now have the tools to evidence the fulfilment of such goals and outcomes whether in our own, Pearson operated institutions or those whom we service”.
Identifying dialogue and collaboration with the wider education community as crucial to accelerate progress, Pearson has also published two reports. The first, Asking More: The Path to Efficacy, sets out the imperative for measuring and improving learning outcomes worldwide. The second, The Incomplete Guide to Delivering Learning Outcomes, shares in detail the company’s new approach to contributing to that goal and the progress it has made so far.
Asking More: The Path to Efficacy brings together some of the world’s leading education experts to highlight how research and data collection can enable a revolutionary degree of rigour in measuring and improving the success of learning products, educational programmes and institutions.
The report argues that efficacy in education is ‘as possible and as pressing’ as in healthcare, and includes contributions from global leaders in education and business including Andreas Schleicher of the OECD, Vicky Colbert of Escuela Nueva, Geoff Mulgan of NESTA and Jon Iwata of IBM.
Pearson will now extend this conversation by creating a new global research network, connecting Pearson’s internal research with outside experts, working together to address barriers to efficacy and big unanswered questions in education. The network will inform Pearson’s strategy and product development, and Pearson will share findings openly through a new online platform, Open Ideas.
Also published is The Incomplete Guide to Delivering Learning Outcomes. Authored by Sir Michael Barber (@michaelbarber9), Pearson’s Chief Education Advisor, and Saad Rizvi
(@saadhrizvi), Senior Vice President, Efficacy, the report shares Pearson’s “Efficacy Framework”, a Review process designed to evaluate and improve impact on learning outcomes, and set outs the company’s strategy, initiatives and insights in applying it.
Efficacy now moves from a pilot programme in Pearson to the centrepiece of its global education strategy. Every part of Pearson’s new organisation will have a senior leader with a specific brief for improving efficacy, and product roles will be reshaped to focus on delivering outcomes rather than inputs. This new network of efficacy leaders will ensure that the efficacy framework and its lessons are applied throughout the company, reviewing all investments over a value of $1m and reporting publicly on Pearson’s progress and impact.  Pearson will also include the delivery of learning outcomes as a central pillar of its HR policies including recruitment, training, performance management and reward.
John Fallon, Pearson’s chief executive, said: “Pearson’s purpose is to help people make progress in their lives through learning. So, we better be sure that we can demonstrate that progress, in all we do, in a meaningful way.
“Our aim is to ensure that every action, every decision, every process, and every investment we make will be driven by a clear sense and understanding of how it will make a measurable impact on learning outcomes. We need to institutionalise this process, and make it our natural habit.
“When we publish our annual report five years from now, we will, in a rigorous and externally audited way, be able to report on the progress we have made in improving learner outcomes.  To achieve this, we will need to collectively agree on the learner outcomes that we will track, measure and strive to achieve. 
“That work is a priority and we will be reaching out across the education community to consult on where we should be directing our energies.”
Michael Barber, Pearson’s Chief Education Advisor, said: “Education is so linked to the wellbeing of individuals and of the economy that we need much more rigorous systems in place to ensure it is working, urgently. Thanks to the growing body of research and data, and the opportunity of technology, achieving efficacy in education is not only as pressing, but now just as possible as in healthcare.

“Global education challenges are too steep for any one organisation to pursue independently. We are sharing the progress we are making so that others can challenge and support us to move more rapidly. Collaboration, partnership, and co-creation are the only way to transform education at the pace the learners we serve require.”
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First cooperative agreement between TAGI-UNI & Arabic university.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University signs MoU with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University to deliver premier online education
 ]UAE, November 26, 2013[ Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (TAGI-UNI) to deliver premier online education. Under the terms of the MoU, TAGI-UNI will promote HBMeU’s e-learning programs. The two parties also agreed to cooperate more closely in academic programs, student enrollment, and Joint Research Activities (JRAs). The new MoU is of great significance as it is the first agreement signed between TAGI-UNI & Arabic university.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor, HBMeU, said: “The strategic partnership with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University is part of our continuing thrust to widen our international network of strong ties with leading academic institutions around the world in line with our ambitious vision of improving the quality of e-learning in the Arab World. The new agreement is of strategic importance as it provides solid ground to intensify our joint efforts to encourage scientific research and provide the best e-learning programs adhering to the highest standards of excellence and quality.”

“We are confident that our strategic partnership with a prominent academic institution, such as Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University, will open new opportunities to promote the culture of e-learning in the Arab World. We are looking forward to exchange the best academic practices and leading experiences which will play vital role in re-shaping the future of learning based on innovative methods in line with the rapid development of the digital world,” he added.
Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, President, TAGI-UNI, said: “The new partnership provides us with direct access to some of the best online programs from HBMeU, a leading, accredited online Arab university. It is a welcome addition to the growing list of TAGI-UNI’s partners, and the cooperation will certainly prove to be fruitful for both parties.”
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (www.tagiuni.com( is the gateway to the world’s best online education. The university partners with leading international education institutions to deliver accredited, world-class education to a global student body. It began securing partnerships in mid-2012 and has since signed agreements with Thunderbird School of Global Management, Liverpool University, Walden University, University of Northampton, Canisius College, Amity University, Fort Hays University, University of Scranton,  the British Council, UNITAR, the International Training and Development Group, Inlingua Cheltenham, Genashtim Innovative Learning, Pearson-Edexcel, and now The Hamdan Bin Mohammad e-University.
HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World, It was established with the vision of developing a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity. It aims to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration with the job market.

The e-university employs impactful methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing a culture of excellence and innovation, and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. Hamdan Bin Mohammad e-University constantly identifies knowledge needs, supports research and development programs, and creates an outstanding environment for e-learning.
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EIAST Announces Winners of Entaliq Scholarship

UAE, October 9, 2013 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), part of a strategic initiative to inspire scientific innovation and technological advancement in the UAE, has announced the winners of the Entaliq scholarship. The scholarship aims to support talented high school students and university students from various engineering disciplines, including Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Aerospace, and Telecommunications Engineering

University students Marwan Al Sharid and Ahmad Al Nuaimi both received the Entaliq 2013 scholarship in line with efforts to increase the number of EIAST engineers working in the field of satellite manufacturing. There are currently 45 UAE experts who are working on the DubaiSat-3 Satellite project on the ground, with satellite segments to be developed on UAE soil exclusively by Emiratis.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani,Director General, EIAST, said: “Investment into the UAE’s human capital is part of EIAST’s three-pronged strategy for advancing knowledge, infrastructure and manufacturing facilities in order to develop advanced satellite systems through the skills of UAE nationals. This is vital to advancing the UAE’s march towards excellence and becominga regional hub and pioneer in global space technology. The Entaliq scholarship focuses on promoting scientific and academic excellence in the field of space sciences and relevant engineering disciplines which have become the backbone of sustainable development.”
“Through our scholarships we aim to nurture a new generation of young UAE nationals who are able to keep pace with rapid developments in advanced technology. We shall provide a solid foundation for the transfer of knowledge and the promotion of a culture of scientific research and technological innovation in Dubai in line with the goals of UAE’s 2021 Vision which aspires to a knowledge-based economy. We are confident that the winners of this year’s scholarship will represent important additions to our team. We already have a dedicated group of engineers, experts and technicians involved in developing the DubaiSat-3 satellite as part of a new direction towards promoting overall development in light of the directives of our wise leadership,” Added Mona Al Qemzi, Assistant Director General for Financial and Administrative Affairs, EIAST.
Ahmad Al Nuaimi, a second-year Mechanical Engineering student said: “The Entaliq scholarship paves the way for young UAE nationals to reach the highest levels of scientific and academic excellence. He also praised EIAST for its pivotal role in developing the satellite industry and elevating the status of the UAE in this field.
“Winning the scholarship gave me a huge opportunity to improve not only in my field but personally as well,” said Marwan Al Sharid, a second-year mechanical engineering student expressing his joy at winning the scholarship. “The UAEhas made great strides towards establishing a strong presence within the global space sciences community.”
The Entaliq Scholarship program aims to support eligible studentsin pursuing higher education, accelerate the process of recruiting engineers according to the highest standards of academic excellence and technical development, and address projected vacancies of select departments at EIAST. EIAST provides both financial and moral support to winners of the scholarship, who can be high school graduates or university students. Preference is given to Computer, Electrical, Electronics, Software, Chemical, Mechanical and Telecommunications Engineering as well as Physics, Optics and Aerospace. These disciplines are highly relevant to EIAST’s current and future needs.
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19 % GCC Students Studying in UK are from UAE

UAE-UK educational ties got shot in the arm after President’s visit, says British Council at ‘EDUKEX 2013’ show
Dubai, UAE, 26 September 2013 – Marc Jessel, Country Director, UAE, British Council says educational ties between the UAE and the UK got a shot in the arm following the state visit of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the UK in May.

He said the visit was a major affirmation of the close relationship between the two countries.
Mr. Jessel revealed that out of the 18,500 students from GCC studying in UK, 3,200 are from the UAE, which represents 19 percent of the total.
Mr. Jessel said that educational ties between the UAE and the UK have gone from strength to strength over the past few decades, with business management emerging as the No. 1 choice among students from the UAE going to the UK, followed by medicine and engineering.
Mr. Jessel was speaking yesterday evening (Wednesday, 25 September 2013) after inaugurating the Education UK Exhibition (EDUKEX) 2013 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The three-day event in Dubai and Abu Dhabi allowed students from across the UAE to interact with representatives from different UK universities and colleges to identify higher education opportunities in the UK.
Mr. Jessel said: “This exhibition is of great importance as it boosts the existing relations between UK and UAE in the field of education. The show offers a two-way communication channel between students living in the UAE and UK universities that are interested in attracting students with excellent educational background to study in the UK.”
Mr. Jessel said that the strong UAE-UK relations have been reflected in two state visits between both countries within a span of three years.
During the exhibition, which was organised by the British Council, visitors had the chance to interact with over 45 exhibitors.
British Council says the UAE remains one of the countries that widely follow UK courses and tests in schools and universities.
Mr Jessel said: “The UAE has huge trust in the UK system and a larger number of courses and tests are being brought to the country by UK firms.”
Students from the UAE are ideal candidates for UK universities as they are well educated through world class tools and are familiar with the UK system which allows them to cope with the course agenda faster and more effectively than their peers. 
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UAE’s First Ever Doctoral Programs in Quality Management, Educational Leadership and Healthcare Management

World-class research supervised by local, international professors to support the UAE Vision 2021
UAE, September 15, 2013 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU) has officially launched the UAE’s first doctoral programs in Management – Total Quality Management, e-Education – Educational Leadership, Health and Environmental Studies – Healthcare Management for the new 2013-2014 academic year. The three new programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, and represent a major step forward in the efforts to encourage modern scientific research, disseminate knowledge to address the needs of the regional labor market and advance academic and intellectual achievements, particularly as they are closely linked to issues of social and economic development in the UAE and the Arab world.

HBMeU has employed highly qualified and experienced local and international academic supervisors to ensure that these programs match the highest quality standards in the provision of educational courses. The first batch of learners from different nationalities were accepted for the doctoral programs after undergoing a series of assessment tests that included oral and written tests, as well as personal interviews with each learner. The objectives of the new doctoral programs contribute to achieving the goals of the UAE Vision 2021 as they tackle a number of issues such as “The challenges of unemployment among UAE nationals from a practical point of view”, “The theory of effective national programs for achieving government excellence”, “Measuring the quality of knowledge in government institutions in the UAE”, “Intelligent application of  IT”, “Towards world-class health care management in the UAE”, and “Attitudes towards technical and vocational education: incentives and obstacles”.
 “As per the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMeU, our vision is based on encouraging scientific research and the dissemination of a culture of quality and excellence in e-Learning across the Arab world through three of our schools; the e-School of Business and Quality Management, e-School of Health and Environmental Studies and School of e-Learning. HBMeU is keen to adopt integrated strategies and advanced academic policies that would support UAE’s 2021 Vision of transforming the UAE into one of the best countries in the world by 2021. There is no doubt that the doctoral dissertations due to be submitted by learners and researchers will have a positive impact on providing effective practical solutions based on the methods of scientific research to serve the strategic objectives and ambitious aspirations of our wise leadership,” said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor.
HBMeU has already established fruitful partnerships with several well-known institutions to enrich its academic and professional programs. Consolidating these partnerships under the global consortium will ensure that HBMeU’s Ph.D. program will prove hugely successful in terms of academic quality and effectively serve the research needs of the Arab world. 
HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university, which is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.
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Stage Set for Early Kick-off of ‘EDUKEX 2013’ in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on 24 and 25 September

British Council: “3220 UAE students studying in UK this year, a 5 per cent increase over 2012”
Dubai, UAE, 16th September 2013 – According to the latest data released by British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, there are 3220 UAE students studying in the UK for 2012-2013 academic year, which represents an increase of 5 per cent over 2011-2012 academic year.

This was revealed by British Council while announcing the 12th edition of the Education UK Exhibition ‘EDUKEX 2013’ which will be held from September 24 to 26 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
British Council’s target for UAE students completing their higher education studies in the UK during 2013-2014 academic year is 4000, which represents an increase of 20 per cent over previous year.
Marc Jessel, Country Director, British Council, United Arab Emirates, said: “This year, British Council has brought forward EDUKEX in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to create space for preliminary talks with UAE students keen to study in the UK. The preference for the UK higher education system has often been inherited by these students from their parents and elder siblings. We are thrilled by this phenomenon, as it is an endorsement of the British higher education system, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world.”
Jessel added: “More than 45 UK universities will be highlighting their latest academic programmes at the show. We anticipate significant insights will be provided to students and parents alike.”
Jessel pointed out: “The Education UK Exhibition (EDUKEX) serves as an ideal platform to promote the UK higher education programmes to students living in the UAE and increase their numbers through well-structured outreach.”
The UK education system enjoys a high reputation among UAE students as a gateway to acquiring skills that would enable them to compete effectively in the global job market. Jessel added that EDUKEX aims to raise awareness of the quality of UK higher education as well as showcase the wide range of courses and programmes on offer in the UK.
EDUKEX is a major activity conducted by the British Council to highlight opportunities presented by UK universities.
Jessel stressed that the show also seeks to build long-term institutional and individual links between higher education institutions in the UAE and the UK.
More than 45 UK universities and colleges will showcase a wide range of bachelors and masters courses, as well as foundation-year courses to visitors in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
EDUKEX 2013 will allow visitors to broaden their knowledge about English language courses, vocational courses and higher education courses offered by a number of UK universities.
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Mashreq Sponsors Orphan Kids Summer Camp to Provide Key Skills in Social Media and Cyber Safety

In partnership with Al Ihsan Charity Association & ICDL GCC
 
Dubai, UAE, August 27th, 2013 – UAE’s leading financial institution, Mashreq Bank and ICDL GCC Foundation have joined hands to empower 22 orphan youth from Ajman Emirate with essential skills in social media and cyber safety.
This initiative is taking place now at Ajman University facilities in a Summer Camp format and will run until September 9, 2013, as part of ICDL Summer Camp 2013 groups. The ICDL Summer Camp program focuses this year on educating the young participants on safety measures when using social media websites and smart devices. The Summer Camp is set to offer students a chance to have a productive summer by learning new skills and socializing with others in a fun learning environment.
Mashreq Bank has been known for the numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives it is involved with. In this particular project, the bank is extending its generosity by sponsoring the enrolment of those underprivileged orphans. Mashreq has also reiterated its on-going commitment to supporting ICDL GCC Foundation’s mission in spreading computer skills and Cyber Safety awareness among the youth across the UAE.
The three-week Summer Camp is organized by ICDL GCC Foundation in partnership with Al Ihsan Charity Association and the training and testing on the delivered programs are being delivered at Ajman University facilities by the National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE) from Dubai. At the end of the Summer Camp, all the achieving young participants will receive an internationally recognized certificate for the skills they acquire as well as valuable gifts from various other in-kind supporters of the ICDL Summer Camp.
Director General of ICDL GCC, Mr. Jamil Ezzo said: “We hope that this collaboration continues for years to come and other prestigious institutions like Mashreq Bank will find similar good cause initiatives to support, in order to further spread digital literacy and protect our children from the increasing cyber threats. On behalf of Al Ihsan Charity Association as well as ICDL GCC, I extend our gratitude to Mashreq Bank for their contribution and support.”
About ICDL:
The International Computer Driving License (ICDL) is a global computer literacy initiative developed to provide knowledge about Information Technology (IT) and enhance competence of using personal computers and common computer applications for all the citizens of the world. The ICDL GCC Foundation is the sole body to implement and disseminate the program across the GCC States and Iraq with the support of leading educational institutions and accredited bodies. The Foundation mission is to enable proficient use of Information and Communications Technology that empowers individuals, organizations and society, through the development, promotion and delivery of quality certification programmes around the world.