UAE, December 05, 2016 – Marking a first in the Arab World, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has launched the communications for the forthcoming curriculum diploma initiative - International Bureau of Education (IBE) - UNESCO organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The one of a kind diploma which is sponsored by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance underscores the university's commitment to leading efforts to reshape the future of education and learning in the Arab World through innovative methods that keep pace with the requirements of the 21st Century.

The importance of the communications for the forthcoming curriculum diploma initiative - IBE - UNESCO lies in its being an integrated program specifically designed according to the highest international standards and provisions to meet requirements for the development of training and competencies in the curricula of Arab countries. It also involves the adoption of an international module for delivering high-level education characterized by equality, innovation and quality.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, explained that the launch of the pioneering program in the region reaffirms the university’s leadership as a global model for exploring the future of education based on creativity, innovation, scientific research and knowledge enrichment. He lauded the efforts of UNESCO and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance in launching this leading initiative that represents a major leap in curricular development, noting that it prepares a qualified generation capable of leading the process of modernization, renovation and innovation process – all of which he said are pillars for accelerating the pace of growth in the Arab World.

Al Awar said: “This unique program is consistent with our ongoing commitment to support the lifelong learning approach and provide the academic community with high-quality programs that expose students to unique experiences that are based on excellence in scientific research and knowledge transfer. This serves our aspiration of addressing challenges and overall development needs in the Arab World through our leadership in the field of smart education.”

“We look forward to meeting the desired objectives of the new diploma – the latest addition to our achievements – by effecting a radical change in higher education and scientific research locally and regionally through the promotion of a culture of smart learning under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and HBMSU President, who has tasked us to revolutionize the future of education and learning in the Arab World via innovative methods that are in step with the rapid changes of the knowledge ira,” he added.

For his part, H.E. Sulaiman Al Ansari, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance, commended the commitment of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and patron of the award, to support qualitative projects that improve the efficiency of education and raise its outputs to a level that meets the challenges posed by modernity and contemporary changes. He emphasized that the partnership with a prestigious academic institution such as HBMSU and a global organization such as UNESCO represents a major leap in implementing an academic program that aims to develop curricula and scientific research across the Arab World.

Al Ansari concluded: “The award sponsorship of this international project offers an opportunity to enhance educational excellence in the Arab World, especially as it targets developers of curriculum, education policy-makers and teaching staff who are also the focus of the award on the programs of quality education”.

Preparatory sessions for communications for the forthcoming curriculum diploma initiative - International Bureau of Education (IBE) - UNESCO will continue from December 4 to 15, 2016 at HBMSU’s campus with the participation of several academics and international experts. The program agenda’s various major themes include ‘Curriculum of Smart Education and Custom Learning,’ ‘Technological Integration in the Curriculum,’ ‘An Introduction to Emerging Trends in the Curricula of Arab Countries,’ and ‘Needs Analysis and Dialogue Policy to Change the Curriculum.’ Other modern systems, models and frameworks for designing and developing curricula in Arab countries as well as special sessions on ‘Virtual Learning Environment' (VLE) adopted by HMBSU’ will be featured as well.