UAE, July 22, 2020 – Dr. Mansoor Al-Awar Highlights Innovation as the Cornerstone of Future Higher Education
Dr. Mansoor Al-Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU), emphasized the critical role of innovation and excellence in shaping the future of higher education. He highlighted HBMSU’s pioneering journey toward becoming an internationally recognized academic and knowledge institution that redefines learning for the 21st century.
HBMSU adopts a future-focused educational model that develops innovators, entrepreneurs, knowledge ambassadors, and future leaders, moving beyond traditional frameworks that prepare graduates solely as job seekers. This model reflects the university’s commitment to building globally competitive human capital equipped for rapidly evolving knowledge economies.
Innovation in Higher Education Seminar Hosted by Egypt Government Excellence Award
Dr. Al-Awar delivered his remarks during a seminar titled “Innovation in Higher Education”, organized as part of a series of interactive sessions hosted by the Egypt Government Excellence Award. The virtual session, conducted via the Zoom platform, showcased best government excellence practices in higher education and brought together senior experts and leaders in government excellence.
Vision of UAE Leadership Shapes HBMSU’s Learning Model
Dr. Al-Awar discussed the foundational pillars of HBMSU’s innovative learning methodologies, which align with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This vision aims to develop highly qualified professionals capable of competing globally across contemporary disciplines and knowledge sectors.
He stressed that adopting international best practices in quality and excellence is essential to re-engineering education systems and preparing academically, scientifically, creatively, and innovatively capable generations.
Learner-Centric Education and Smart Learning Leadership
Guided by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU, the university has established a learner-centric educational model that places students at the core of strategic priorities. HBMSU focuses on curriculum innovation, faculty development, and the creation of a learning environment that promotes excellence, scientific research, innovation, and technological empowerment.
Dr. Al-Awar highlighted HBMSU’s leadership in smart learning in the Arab world, noting its success in expanding distance education and lifelong learning opportunities through innovation-driven initiatives such as the Smart Campus, Smart Building, and Gamification methodology.
Integrating Innovation into Higher Education Systems
Dr. Al-Awar reviewed innovation from multiple perspectives, emphasizing the importance of embedding a culture of innovation within higher education institutions to move beyond traditional learning models. He highlighted HBMSU’s achievements in integrating innovation, creativity, technology, and scientific research into its academic framework—efforts that have significantly transformed higher education outcomes.
These achievements align with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to empower youth as essential drivers of development and future innovation.
Excellence as the Foundation for Sustainable Educational Innovation
Dr. Al-Awar stressed that innovation cannot succeed without excellence as its foundation. He underscored the need to educate academic communities across the Arab world on adopting innovation-driven practices that enhance learner and faculty capabilities while keeping pace with rapid global advancements.
“We are pleased to share HBMSU’s accumulated experience with higher education institutions in Egypt,” Dr. Al-Awar said. “We have made innovation, excellence, and quality the pillars of educational development, in line with the leadership’s vision to invest in youth and knowledge as priorities for sustainable development.”
Strategies to Promote Innovation in Universities
Dr. Al-Awar outlined key strategies to foster innovation in higher education institutions, including:
- Developing forward-looking strategic plans
- Updating academic curricula and scientific disciplines
- Enhancing learning environments
- Empowering faculty members and learners
He highlighted HBMSU’s success in modernizing learning methodologies through research, critical thinking, creativity, development, innovation incubators, and creative learner laboratories. These approaches position learners as active partners in knowledge creation and dissemination, while faculty members act as facilitators rather than traditional instructors.
Types of Innovation and Competitive Advantage
Dr. Al-Awar identified radical innovation and incremental innovation as key types of innovation, noting that creativity drives both. He emphasized the importance of positivity, technology adoption, modernity, and problem-solving in enhancing institutional competitiveness, efficiency, and excellence.
He also discussed how innovation strengthens universities’ competitive advantage by improving learning quality, enhancing the academic environment, and fostering adaptability and continuous progress.
HBMSU as a Model for Future Universities
Dr. Al-Awar concluded by highlighting the factors that position HBMSU as a model university of the future, including its forward-looking strategy, integration of technology and research, commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, and passion for results-driven excellence.
The interactive session concluded with robust engagement from government excellence experts, representatives of Egyptian universities, and excellence ambassadors, who exchanged insights and best practices related to the Egypt Government Excellence Award and institutional transformation.
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
Chancellor of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU)