The university affirms support for implementation of enhanced education system during and beyond COVID-19

October 06, 2020 - Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) took part in a recent UNESCO virtual meeting of the Global Education Coalition, held on the sidelines of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 75) in New York. The event, “Education During Covid-19 and Beyond: The Global Education Coalition in Action” was hosted by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay and brought together heads of states, ministers of education, members of the Coalition and other high-level participants.

The meeting was attended by HBMSU’s representatives Professor Moustafa Hassan, Vice Chancellor for International Cooperation and Elena Tarasova, Strategic Affairs Manager. The participation is in line with the university’s efforts to support international endeavors aimed at achieving sustainable development goals in education and learning, especially in light of the unprecedented circumstances the world is going through as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

H.E. Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, stated that participation in the international event reflects the university’s commitment to strengthen bridges of international multilateral cooperation that seeks to enhance the resiliency of the global education system during and beyond the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He affirmed that the university, as an active member of the Global Education Coalition, continues to work in line with the UAE’s proactive approach in harnessing and employing available capabilities to stimulate innovation and creativity, deemed as the backbone of the sector to adapt and respond to current and future challenges.

H.E. Al Awar added: “Multilateral international cooperation is emerging at the present time as an urgent need to confront the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused widening disparities in educational levels around the world. On the other hand, smart learning and distance learning has proven to be the best means to support international efforts aimed at providing a quality, equitable and comprehensive education for all, which makes it imperative to unify capabilities and direct them in harnessing and adapting modern technology to serve the educational system, and to develop it in line with the requirements of the post-corona era.”

Al Awar concluded: “We are committed to disseminating our successful experiences and their optimal use in the service of the future of education. We are also steadfast to continue innovating and applying new concepts away from the traditional model to create a new generation of graduates attaining their degrees in complete safety and in accordance with the highest standards of quality and excellence, following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Supreme President of the University.”

The UNESCO online meeting presented a strategic platform to tackle current developments brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions concluded with participants promising to continue their collective commitment to promoting pluralism, solidarity and joint cooperation--supporting multilateral action in accordance with the existing international frameworks and fully utilizing capabilities needed to address current and emerging challenges like this pandemic.

The Global Education Coalition, an initiative launched by UNESCO to respond to the educational challenge of COVID-19 that kept 1.6 billion learners worldwide out of the classroom, consists of more than 150 members representing major multilateral organizations, civil society, non-profit, private sector, and media organizations, and leading networks and associations. It provides an interactive and dedicated platform supporting the education needs of countries based on three main pillars, namely bridging digital and communication gaps, empowering teachers, and promoting gender equality.