Sharjah Ruler launches initiative to support smart education in Arabic

Sharjah: H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has stressed that human development, and the promotion of scientific and cognitive abilities of humans is a priority concern of the UAE. Sheikh Sultan noted that cognitive development must be in line with the requirements of not only the current era but also for the future, with a commitment to the development of learning tools and maintaining Arab identity and culture. This declaration came as Dr. Sheikh Sultan launched a new initiative, the first of its kind in the Arab world, to support smart education in Arabic for students in Sharjah to promote the Arabic language, learning through the latest means and modern programmes, and creating an appropriate school environment for creativity. Under the initiative, tablet PCs will be distributed free to students and teachers at all schools in the Emirate of Sharjah. The tablets will include new educational programmes and innovative applications in Arabic. The launching of the initiative came as Sheikh Sultan yesterday visited the Centre of Kindergarten Development in the east coast city of Khor Fakkan, accompanied by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). During the visit, Sheikh Sultan met with faculty and administrative staff in the centre and stressed the importance of harnessing all of their capabilities and developing them to support the process of education for students, and their access to the best international standards. He also took distributed tablet computers to students in the centre. The Sharjah Ruler said that the UAE's leadership believes in the importance and the availability of high level education for the nation and its citizens to ensure the future of the state and the people. He said that the development we seek in the education system to build on human skills is not limited to the development of curricula, programmes and tools, but also depends on the faculty, parents and community as a whole. Sheikh Sultan was accompanied by Dr. Abdullah Sueja, Chairman of the Board of Education in Sharjah and a number of senior officials. – Emirates News Agency, WAM