The Ministry of Education has signed an agreement with Microsoft Gulf, comprising initiatives which will serve six main priorities of the Ministry to integrate smart leaning into the education system.
The objective of the agreement is to enable public schools to receive the most out of ICT and curriculum integrations which enables schools to benefit from modern communication systems as well as deal with any challenges related to smart learning.
The initiative include empowering teachers and educators, enhancing smart schools, encouraging the use of best educational practices, enriching teaching and learning experiences whilst applying the best international educational practices, and making the student home an extension of the classroom.
Hussain al-Hammadi, the UAE Minister of Education said "Building a modern education system that is based on knowledge and innovation and transforms towards smart learning is what is needed in local schools. It is important to integrate the basic elements and tools into the education system enabling the teachers and students to acquire advanced skills through the use of technology and enhance the learning methods."
One of the initiatives includes the "Fursati" program, where Microsoft will train 25 students to provide them with core skills and experience, with access to a network of potential career opportunities. Students will be given three month internships at Microsoft Gulf where they can secure potential career opportunities.
Also the "DreamSpark" initiative that provides a complete platform for software design and development at no cost for students, and enables them to join Microsoft innovation incubators to enhance their ideas.
Samer Abu Ltaif, regional general manager at Microsoft Gulf said "At Microsoft, we believe that individuals can achieve great milestones if they are given an opportunity to leverage technology. Use of modern tools and solutions such as Minecraft helps in the skill building process for students and enables them to achieve more. We are honored to partner with the Ministry of Education as we share the same vision of providing a better future for students and nurturing the spirit of innovation by facilitating the best programs for teachers and educators."
The agreement also includes provision of MINECRAFTEDU and Kodu Micro:bit for coding skills which makes the United Arab Emirates amongst the one of the first to use this system after the United Kingdom.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Mohammed Gheyath, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program and Samer Abu Ltaif, regional general manager at Microsoft Gulf, on the sidelines of the Global Education Forum (GEF) and Gulf Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS).
Source: http://www.itp.net/606735-ministry-of-education-and-microsoft-join-forces