Posted on

HBMSU explores the future of education through launch of ‘Innovation Lab for the Future of Smart Learning’

First session discusses agenda of smart learning with participation of local & international academics from inside and outside the university

In a bid to uphold the UAE’s smart education sector, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has launched ‘Innovation Lab for the Future of Smart Learning’. The new Lab is a qualitative addition that will make strategic contribution in exploring the future of smart education in the UAE by stimulating innovation and creativity in developing knowledge.

It will also adopt a culture of continuous and sustainable development, confirming the pioneering position of HBMSU as a center of academic and scientific excellence in the Arab world. Continue reading “HBMSU explores the future of education through launch of ‘Innovation Lab for the Future of Smart Learning’”

Posted on

New report defines world-class apprenticeships as those rooted in sector skills, knowledge and progression to employment

Analysis of leading countries points to defining features of world-class apprenticeships with lessons for the Middle East

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 29th 2016 – A new report has been released in the Middle East from the University of Derby, supported by Pearson, which looks at some of the world’s most heralded apprenticeship systems. The report is particularly useful for the Middle East, where many countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, look to vocational education as a means through which economic diversification and reduced economic reliance on oil can be achieved.

The report’s main author, Dr Ruth Mieschbuehler, interviewed some of the world’s leading apprenticeship reformers in countries such as Germany, Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands. The following characteristics are identified in the report as being particularly important for a strong apprenticeship system:

  • extended apprenticeships of between three to four years;
  • broad and in-depth scientific and industrial skills and knowledge;
  • the presence of a ‘master’ in the company to train an apprentice;
  • high-quality knowledge-based education and training;
  • recognition through an occupational title on completion of the training;
  • apprentices to acquire all the skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in an occupation;
  • apprentices to become skilled workers in an occupational area with a critical and creative approach; and
  • progression routes into employment as well as into further education and training.

Continue reading “New report defines world-class apprenticeships as those rooted in sector skills, knowledge and progression to employment”

Posted on

HBMSU Commissioned to Convert Al Ahli Driving Centre’s Theoretical Lessons to Interactive eLearning Format

Cloud-ready content to be available in three languages & accessible across all platforms & devices
UAE, June 19, 2016 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has announced that it has been commissioned by Al Ahli Driving Centre, a Dubai-based driving school to develop an interactive online version of its theoretical lessons to enhance existing training and registration processes. The contract was signed at the HBMSU campus in the presence of Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and Emirati referee Ali Bujsaim, Chairman of Al Ahli Group.
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and Emirati referee Ali Bujsaim, Chairman of Al Ahli Group

Under the terms of the agreement, HBMSU will make the content available in three languages – English, Arabic and Urdu – and host them on the Cloud where they can be accessed via all platforms and devices. The university will also develop a system for displaying the Centre’s courses and produce videos with HTML5 content covering eight (8) lessons. Each session will take up 45 minutes of learning time, inclusive of evaluation and assessment, and will incorporate animation and graphics as well as a presenter to add a personal, interactive touch.

HBMSU will provide a state-of-the-art platform for hosting the content which will feature tracking and reporting functions and integrate with existing learner registration and course navigation systems.
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, said: “Driving is a common yet important activity that affects our personal, professional and social lives. Our agreement with Al Ahli Driving Centre will help make driving practices clearer, safer and more broadly adopted by eliciting higher interest, participation and feedback from learners who will benefit from interactive sessions that are further enriched by assessments. It will also enhance the Centre’s registration, processing and course delivery to provide a more convenient and fulfilling experience for customers. We look forward to applying our vast eLearning experience to driver training through this agreement.”
“Our new eLearning platform will enable our learners to access instructional materials anytime and anywhere, at their own pace and convenience, in coordination with the Center. The interactive versions of our lessons that we have commissioned HBMSU to develop can emphasize key aspects of driving better than traditional classroom methods. Moreover, the extended automation of our registration and training are in step with Dubai’s ongoing ‘Smart Transformation.’ This agreement is a major step towards optimizing the training and operational efficiency of our institution,” added Bujsaim.
HBMSU’s agreement with Al Ahli Driving Centre forms part of its ongoing efforts to apply its expertise in high-quality, innovative and research-driven ‘smart’ learning to everyday living to create a productive and responsible knowledge-driven Arab society.
Posted on

Pearson, Emirates Aviation University Applaud New Rules Governing Vocational Qualifications

Leading education providers in the UAE welcome recognition of international qualifications
Dubai, UAE, 17 May, 2016 – Dubai: The Emirates Aviation University and Pearson have announced their support of changes to the rules governing qualifications recognition in the UAE.
Recently, the UAE’s National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that international qualifications, such as Pearson’s BTEC qualifications, would be recognised throughout the UAE.
Pearson qualifications, including the BTEC National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas, are offered through a number of UAE educational providers. These qualifications, which have long been recognised by awarding agencies around the world, will now also be officially recognised by the UAE government.
Dr Naji Al Mahdi, Chief of Qualifications and Awards at KHDA, was enthusiastic about the benefits UAE recognition of international qualifications will bring. He commented: “This new recognition service will address challenges faced by young men and women ingetting their professional and vocational qualifications recognised in the UAE. The recognition service will provide an official confirmation and validation that an international qualification meets the requirements of a specific level on the National Qualifications Framework for the purpose of employment and progression to higher education”.
The Emirates Aviation University (EAU), which offers several BTEC qualifications, has applauded the announcement. Dr Ahmad Al Ali, Vice Chancellor of EAUbelieves changes will bring benefits not only to those learners undertaking a professional or vocational qualification, but also organisations looking to recruit suitable trained graduates. He says: “Undertaking a vocational qualification requires a significant commitment in both time and money.  Learners therefore want to be sure that they are embarking on a programme that will give them the best possible chance of success in future employment. By obtaining recognition, programmes like the Higher National Diploma have been given a mark of quality that assures learners that their chosen qualification adheres to rigorous guidelines. It is also great news for employers, who will now be readily able to identify candidates with a superior qualification and have an understanding of the level of capability associated with that qualification.”
Mark Andrews, Regional Director of Pearson Qualifications in the Middle East acknowledged the important role recognition plays in building a professional and competent vocational workforce. He says: “The UAE, and wider GCC region are affected by a skills gap where employers are routinely unable to find candidates with the requisite standard of qualifications and competencies, particularly in many vocational areas. The changes to the way vocational qualifications are recognised in the UAE will help to build a more professional vocationally-based workforce, and fill some of the gaps that currently exist in the labour market. By streamlining and simplifying the recognition process, we will hopefully see more people completing high quality vocational programmes and entering employment in in-demand fields”.
Posted on

Dubai Smart Government signs MoU with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government

 MoU contributes to building leaders and qualified national staff
Dubai, UAE, November 4, 2015 – Dubai Smart Government Department (DSG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government. Under the MoU, the government partnership will be bolstered through exchange of knowledge and best practices at all levels and the streamlining of corporate communication channels between the two organizations.

Dubai Smart Government Department (DSG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.

The partnership will extend to fields such as training, education, leader preparation and empowerment programmes. It will also enrich the knowledge content of educational and training activities with practical government administration experiences, expertise and scientific research to support government performance. It will also enable the best government practices to be documented and disseminated, particularly those related to regionally and internationally reputed foundations with the aim of ensuring continuous development of excellence in the government sector.
This was announced during the signing ceremony of the MoU between H.E. Ahmad Bin Humaidan, DSG Director General, and H.E. Dr. Ali Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG). According to the MoU, a joint committee will be formed to follow up the implementation of its articles in the most optimal manner.
Expressing his happiness about signing the MoU, Bin Humaidan said: “Based on DSG’s strategy aimed at enhancing its employees’ smart skills as a basic element for building an enabled environment that would contribute to achieving our strategy, we are keen on training our employees, keeping them abreast of the scientific progress updates that serve their scope of work and familiarizing them with the latest innovations that help fulfill the vision and trends of the prudent leadership, particularly HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for Dubai to become the smartest city in the world.”
Bin Humaidan added: “Signing this MoU with MBRSG is a step towards building effective knowledge-based partnership relations between the two parties, enabling DSG to benefit from MBRSG’s experience in this field as this will reflect positively on enriching the knowledge of our employees and building qualified staff as per the world’s best standards.”
Meanwhile, Al Marri said: “We are pleased to sign this MoU, which is aimed at training and empowering DSG staff at all administrative levels with a view to building leaders and qualified national staff and helping them achieve advanced levels in corporate excellence. We also seek to benefit from DSG’s distinguished development and accumulated experiences as well as its employment of many best practices to enrich our knowledge-based content for the benefit of all our partnering government entities.”
The curriculum will feature training courses in creativity, innovation and smart management based on MBRSG’s role in enhancing the strategic vision of Dubai Government and the UAE, which prompts development and transformation to smart government, according to Al Marri. He also noted that the courses would be worked out as per the highest academic standards through which leaders would be prepared to face work challenges, own the ability to evaluate them, take the right decisions as government officials and enrich those courses with interactive activities, best practices and success stories from an elite group of UAE leaders.
Posted on

Empower participates in Dubai Women’s College Industry Week

The company seeks to provide better understanding on nature of jobs in district cooling industry
Dubai, UAE, September 14th, 2015 – Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, takes part in the upcoming Industry Week organised by the Higher Colleges of Technology – Dubai Women’s College from 13 to 17 September to give students a better understanding of what it is like working in district cooling industry.

“As part of its social commitment as a leading global service provider, Empower will highlight various aspects of district cooling operations allowing students to engage in lively discussion,” says H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower. “We would like to help students understand the major opportunities available in this emerging industry.”
Industry Week will help students plan their future, boost their employability skills, and stand out from the crowd in the competitive UAE job market.
From 9 am to 3 pm all week long, Empower will showcase world-class advancements in this industry, as well as district cooling operations in various real-estate projects around Dubai. “We are confident that our team at the Industry Week will have fruitful interaction with talented senior students in their 3rdand 4th year of study, who might be interested to launch a career in this industry,” said Bin Shafar.
“Empower’s core business is to provide district cooling services. The significant increase of awareness about the benefits of this industry has resulted in a rise in the demand for our services, consequently, the continuity of staffing,” added Bin Shafar.
“As a unique industry, there are tremendous opportunities for developing a wide range of sophisticated competencies; especially in the technical, customer service, and project management fields, which means secure career progression,” continued Bin Shafar.
“The bottom line is that working for Empower is, in more than one way, a chance to secure an excellent career development, and contribute to the development of the UAE,” added Bin Shafar.
The structure of Empower comprises nine departments which are: Sales & Marketing Department, Commercial Department, Project Management Office, Operations & Maintenance Department, Technical Department, Finance & IT / SCADA Department, Business Support Services, Corporate Strategy, and Human Capital Department.
In its endeavor to bridge the gaps between employees’ performance and Empower’s standards; the company exposes its employees, based on the actual needs to different types of training programmes. “On the job” training is normally offered while conducting day-to-day work, and “off the job” training is offered either locally or overseas. Group in-house courses are also provided as and when required. Empower also encourages its employees to attend conferences and seminars with the objective of allowing them to keep abreast with the latest developments in business and industry. As soon as the employee officially joins Empower, he will undergo a comprehensive Introduction Program which aims at introducing him to the people and understand Empower’s activities, and its scope of operations. He will then be expected to submit a report to understand the level of his understanding.
Industry Week will be open to the whole Dubai Women’s College Community, including students, faculty, and staff members. It will help students gain current information on key industry trends; explore a range of career paths in line with the student’s programme/major, and work placement options; network with prospective employers, and practice essential professional skills; recognize key players in the UAE labor market of around 70+ employers throughout Industry Week; develop relationships with employers, which could lead to student internships; and engage with employers to complete -course work- Industry Projects.
“Interaction between students and industry experts interaction will create a memorable industry week, designed to inspire and develop the students’ career aspirations. We invite all students to join Empower to achieve their personal growth, secure excellent career progression, and contribute to the UAE’s development,” said Bin Shafar.
“It is not the first time Empower is engaging in such social events. We have recently organised a training programme in which many UAE students were familiarised with skills needed in District Cooling industry,” concluded Bin Shafar.
Empower operates more than 1 Million Refrigeration Tons (RT), providing environmentally friendly district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments, such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah,  Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences and Dubai Design District, amongst others.

–Ends–

Posted on

Group of UAE Trainees Tours Empower’s State of the Art Plant at Business Bay

Bin Shafar says that the organization pays special focus on training and inducting Emirati students, particularly at technical roles.
Dubai, UAE, August 23rd, 2015 – As part of its internship programme to familiarise UAE students on skills needed in the district cooling industry, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, has run a visit for a group of trainees, currently doing internship at Empower, to its BB-2 plant in Business Bay, Dubai. The visit was part of the students’ curriculum to understand the process of district cooling adopted at Empower.
During the visit, Empower’s operations team at BB-2, led by the Supervisor in Charge, explained to the students on the details and technical aspects of how the plants operates  and how district cooling technology differs from other methods of air-conditioning.
Serving the requirements of the courses, the study trip helped in promoting the theoretical knowledge with the practical experience for those students who are doing majors in International Business, Electrical & Electronic Engineering and HR/Business Administration.
H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, Chief Executive Officer of Empower, said that this visit succeeded in honing the skills of the students in the fields of operations, maintenance and management.
Bin Shafar added: “This visit has given students with detailed practical knowledge on district cooling technology, its advantages and processes. The students realised the friendliness of this technology to the environment especially at Empower plants where we use Treated Sewage Effluent(TSE) technology coupled with the reverse osmosis technology that use recycled water to produce cooling to our end-users.
He added: “Our aim is to enhance the district cooling sector in the UAE since we are great believers in its role in conserving the natural resources and ensuring sustainability for future generations. We encourage all stakeholders such as banks, financial companies, private and public sectors, hospitals, hotels, universities, factories, real estate developers and others to take bigger part in the development of this sector in the UAE. We are also committed to encourage students to consider this sector for a potential career.”
The students who visited the plant come from universities such as Higher Colleges of Technology, University of Nottingham, American University in the Emirates, and International School of Arts & Sciences. Empower looks at those interns as ambassadors to promote district cooling technology to their colleagues at universities.
Empower currently operates plants across so many areas in Dubai such as Business Bay where students visited the plant as well as Jumeirah Group, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences and Dubai Design District, among others.
Posted on

Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence honors outstanding law students

Dubai Courts successfully concludes 4th Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition 
·      Competition attracts wide participation from UAE & other GCC states
UAE, May 4, 2015 – Dubai Courts recently honoured the winners of the 4th Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council, with the theme ‘Personal Status Case.’ The recognition took place during the concluding ceremony of the first-of-its-kind Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence, an initiative that encourages leadership and excellence within the UAE’s and the region’s legal and judicial systems.  

H.E. Expert Tarish Eid Al Mansouri, Director General, Dubai Courts, said the successful hosting of the Moot Court Competition over the past few years has made a positive impact on the ongoing efforts to boost investments in the national law system and judicial competencies. He also cited the numerous accomplishments of the Initiatives attained mainly due to the unparalleled support of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed. The Initiatives aim to build a highly-skilled generation capable of promoting the values of justice and consolidating the rule of law in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Al Mansouri said the 4th edition of this year’s competition saw a big turnout, with 11 teams from leading law universities and colleges in the UAE and the rest of the GCC actively participating in the contest. The overwhelming response reflects the strong trust and confidence of the local and regional legal communities in the Initiatives, which strive to establish a culture of excellence, creativity and leadership within regional legal and judicial systems to complement economic progress and development.
“The Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition has been playing an effective role in facilitating open dialogues between judicial authorities and law universities in the UAE and the rest of the GCC states. It drives excellence within the judicial and legal systems by helping further improve competencies. One of the competition’s key components is adopting a theoretical and practical approach to develop the participants’ personal and professional skills. Specifically, we aim to improve their competencies in persuasion, analysis, research and derivation through a series of written and oral pleadings involving real and moot court cases. The participants are also given a chance to take part in interactive sessions with high-profile judges. Such a challenge will improve our law students’ competitiveness and leadership skills,” Al Mansouri added.

This year’s winners were honored after the final round which also saw the contenders competing in virtual oral pleadings, similar to real trials, in front of a judicial arbitration panel from Dubai Courts. Team Imam Malik College for Sharia & Law was awarded the Overall Excellence Award followed by Université Saint Joseph Law School and United Arab Emirates University; whereas, Team Université Saint Joseph Law School won the Best Team in Written Submissions Award; and Team United Arab Emirates University bagged the Best Team in Oral Hearing Award. Student Khalifa Ahli received the Most Distinctive Male Student Award, while student Mariam Abd El Salam was given the Most Distinctive Female Student Award.

A total of 11 teams joined the competition’s 4th edition, nine of which represented leading law universities and colleges in the UAE. The local participants included Imam Malik College for Islamic Shariah and Law, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates University, Police Academy, American University in the Emirates, Emirates Canadian University, University of Jazeera, Université Saint Joseph Law School, and City University College. Some of the participating teams from other GCC states were University of Bahrain from Bahrain and Dar Al-Hekma College from Saudi Arabia.
A part of the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence, the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition is an academic contest aimed at building a well-experienced generation of law students capable of consolidating the principles of justice within the community. Targeting students from top law universities and colleges in the UAE and GCC countries, the competition comprises two phases.  The first phase includes the preparation of written memos on the basis of facts and presumptions, while phase two includes the delivery of oral pleadings in front of a judicial arbitration panel from Dubai Courts.
Posted on

GETEX 2015 – Platform for education providers aims to make a strong case for their universities and colleges to attract students

GETEX Counsellors Forum to provide networking opportunities to student and career counsellors
  
Dubai, UAE, March 18th, 2015 – With the abundance of higher education and training options from around the world available at GETEX, making the right choice can be a nerve-racking experience for students. The assistance of student and career counsellors at this juncture of a student’s life is crucial.  Education providers, on the other hand, realize the importance of keeping the lines of communication open and look for opportunities to keep career counsellors in the loop.

Recognising the importance of this three-way relationship, the Counsellors Forum will be hosted at the region’s leading education fair, the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX), for over 100 student and career counsellors providing them the opportunity to network with universities from around the world on a student recruitment platform. The forum will enable counsellors to learn more about the academic and occupational programs being offered to post-high school students from the region. Additionally, a series of panel discussions will facilitate the exchange of ideas where education providers will have an opportunity to elaborate on the quality of their program offerings, faculty, admission procedures, fee structure, and campus facilities.
  
Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), organizer of GETEX 2015, said: “The GETEX Counsellors Forum is a unique extension of GETEX. It is the first of its kind in the region and attracts counsellors from across the UAE and beyond. Career Counsellors need a platform to exchange ideas and experiences,and discuss trends that would serve to be useful to their students. We are extremely appreciative of the support we received from Murdoch University as Head Sponsor and Counselling Point as the forum’s Moderator.”
Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, the 27th edition of GETEX will take place from April 15 to 17, 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center and onward to the Beach Rotana in Abu Dhabi from April 22 to 24, 2015.
For more information, please log on to:http://www.mygetex.com.    
Posted on

Global Education Forum Discusses how Technology can Change the Game

Using data from online tools effectively results in better learner outcomes
Dubai, UAE, February 26th, 2015 – Participants at the 2015 Global Education Forum (GEF) held in Dubai from the 24th to the 26th of February have heard about the opportunities data from online educational tools provide in terms of student assessment, engagement and education outcomes.

Dr Kristen DiCerbo, Principal Research Scientist at Pearson, led a discussion at GEF 2015 based on the findings of her recent research paper, “Impacts of the Digital Ocean on Education”. Dr DiCerbo emphasised how the massive amounts of data now available from student interactions, the digital ocean, can be used to underpin new and more effective methods of assessment and better outcomes for learners.
“We are on the verge of tremendous change, as both the amount of data available increases and methods for collection are increasingly embedded in modern life.  Today’s students interact with digital technology on a day-to-day basis, and their interactions with online learning tools can provide continuous data to educators – creating a more holistic view of the learner’s progress than traditional assessment methods.
The key to harnessing this potential is identifying the most effective ways to capture this data and turn it into meaningful information educators can use to assist their students.”   
The session resonated with participants from the UAE, as educators across the country are increasingly turning to e-learning and the use of online resources, including the new wave of game-based learning and assessment tools, for both distance and classroom education.  Dr Di Cerbo cited a specific case study showing the complete cycle from activity integration and data collection to educator decision-making and long term impacts, and invited attendees to consider the possibilities for their own institutions, saying:
“The digital ocean provides educators with a unique opportunity to understand the learning process, to assess the efficacy of different methods and techniques, and to use this new understanding to provide unobtrusive tailored support to individual learners, as well as to improve educational outcomes for all.”
The Pearson Report, “Impacts of the Digital Ocean on Education” was published in 2014 and is authored by Kristen DiCerbo and John Behrens, foreword by Sir Michael Barber. To view the full “Digital Oceans” report, visit: https://research.pearson.com/content/plc/prkc/uk/open-ideas/en/articles/a-tidal-wave-of-data/_jcr_content/par/articledownloadcompo/file.res/3897.Digital_Ocean_web.pdf