Higher Colleges of Technology Zayed University United Arab Emirates University Ministry of Education

PRESS RELEASES

Official Press Launch: Knowledge Village, 30 September 2003
[Arabic Version]

Sheikh Nahayan Announces Initiative to promote IT use in UAE classrooms

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the launch of the UAE 2004 Educational IT Challenge was announced today.

The UAE Educational IT Challenge aims to promote best practices of IT in the classroom and facilitate partnerships between the educational sectors and industry, building on the very successful challenge inaugurated in 2002.

The challenge is a unique partnership of Zayed University, United Arab Emirates University, Ministry of Education, Knowledge Village and the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Industry supporters of this event to date are Damas, Samsung, Gargash, National Bank of Dubai, Synergy Professional Services, Kanoo Group and Dubai Duty Free. These leading private organizations recognize the contribution that skilled IT professionals will make in the further development of the UAE.

In support of the vision of HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE IT Challenge is an excellent opportunity for students and teachers from schools, colleges and universities to share IT Projects and Ideas with each other. "Everyone is invited to participate in order to make this initiative a success. This Challenge is unique and is first of its kind in the U.A.E. It is a proven method of encouraging teamwork, creativity and sharing of ideas. We have had tremendous response so far from schools, colleges and universities in support of the event" said Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Director, Community Relations and Manpower.

Speaking at the Press Conference, Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director of Knowledge Village announced the commitment of Knowledge Village as a partner sponsor, confirming that the Challenge will run throughout the year with the final date for submission of projects set at Feb 25, 2004. "The award ceremony will be held on April 25, 2004, when HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan will lead the recognition of participants for their creativity and excellence in the use of IT. "

The UAE Challenge is modeled on the Stockholm and Rome global challenges that are proven forums for exchanging ideas and increasing the use of IT in schools and universities. The IT Challenge invites projects from students, teachers, schools / colleges and universities about the way they use technology in their classroom.

The Challenge aims to:

Ø Reward excellence and innovation
Ø Promote UAE projects internationally
Ø Increase IT usage in the classroom by teachers, students and institutions
Ø Share good ideas and best practice
Ø Create stronger links between the three educational sectors

Projects will be invited in three categories: secondary schools; colleges and universities; and UAE nationals. Entry will be free. Awards will be given to the best student, teacher and organizational project in each category. There will be 3 special awards for UAE nationals.

The jury will begin selection of the finalists in March 2004 and will be comprised of members from the Educational Sectors, Industry and International Jurors. The criteria for evaluating each project will be based on innovation, transferability, participation and user needs. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony on April 25th 2004. Further information regarding the challenge can be found on the website at www.uaechallenge.com

First held in 2002, the previous IT Challenge witnessed a total of 235 projects from various educational institutions in the UAE, with 52 projects selected as Finalists and a total of 17 in the winning category. The Winners went on to submit their projects to Stockholm and Rome Challenges. "UAEmath.com" a winning project entered the finals of the Stockholm Challenge and "OneDirham.com" contested the finals of the Global Youth Challenge in Rome, Italy. Both the UAE projects received wide recognition and publicity in the global challenges, promoting the UAE as a world leader in innovative educational practice.

For further details please contact Mr. Gary Johnson, Head Educational Development (ADWC) on tel. 02-6941586 or Ms Kashmira Tamhane, Executive Director, 20/20 Management on tel. 04-3430968 or Mobile 050-6556794.
Website : www.uaechallenge.com