H.H Sheikh Mohammed
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, reiterated the importance
of enhancing students’ capabilities and development of their skills, in line
with the requirements of the 21st century. These traits are to enable them to thrive,
both in their present state and the future of their country, while preserving
the values of their society and country and authentic identity.
His
Highness stated “When we look at the future optimistically, it is because we
have placed our trust in our children, the students, and their ability to
achieve the aspirations of the nation. After all, they are our treasure, assets
and future investments.”
This
statement was made during H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s
inspectional visit yesterday morning to the Hamdan Bin Zayed School in the
Buteen area of Abu Dhabi, during which His Highness oversaw the progress of the
educational process on the first day of the new school year 2017-2018.
His
Highness was accompanied during his visit by H.H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation; H.E Hussain
Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education; Jassim Mohammed Buatabah
Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi,
Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council; Mohammed Khalifa
Al Nuaimi, Director of Educational Affairs at Crown Prince Court, in addition
to a number of officials from educational institutions.
Vital
Facilities
H.H
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan inspected scientific divisions, classes,
educational laboratories and general facilities of the school that was founded
in 2006. It is the only government school in UAE where the Chinese language is
taught, with 18 students out of its total 782 capacity coming from China.
His
Highness toured the school halls and classes and was briefed by the school
Principal, Fatima Al Bastaki on their preparations to receive students, the readiness
of teachers and vital facilities which are characterized in terms of their fine
design, the availability of teaching tools, and quality of educational
initiatives.
Global
Cultures
Al
Bastaki said that the Hamdan Bin Zayed School is distinctive from other schools.
It is the only public school teaching Chinese. The school consists of all
educational grades for boys and girls in one building, pointing out that the
school aims at interacting students and their families with global cultures,
including Chinese culture, with its ancient civilization and traditions.
She
mentioned the many achievements of the school and distinction of its academic
results within the Abu Dhabi Educational Council, in addition to the excellence
of its students on an international level in the “HSK” examination. This was launched
by the Confucius Institute in Beijing in cooperation with Zayed University,
noting that the school had conducted an exchange visit for students from grades
eight and nine to Beijing where they learned more about Chinese culture by
visiting archaeological sites, universities and schools.
Traffic
Village
H.H
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s tour included a visit to the first grade
section where he observed an Arabic language lesson and then saw an English
language lesson at the second grade section.
His
Highness also inspected the traffic village which is one of the school’s
initiatives aimed at educating students by raising their awareness on traffic
concepts such as safety, prevention of accidents and methods for optimal road
use.
His
Highness’s tour included a visit to the ecological section where students
receive edutainment knowledge, and are assisted in discovering and refining their
talents by specialists.
His
tour also included a visit to the Chinese language class at the fourth-grade section
where His Highness viewed the students’ interaction with this language. The
language was incorporated as part of the
school’s policy toward familiarizing its students on other cultures, customs,
history and civilization. Thereafter,
H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan stopped at the tenth grade section for
boys where he attended an advanced mathematics class, followed by a moral
education class at the ninth grade section for boys.
Encouraging
Reading
His
Highness also had the chance to visit a class related to promotion of e-stories
in 3 languages at the eighth and ninth grade sections for girls. He concluded
his tour by visiting the library where he inspected the latest means used in
research, the selection of sources of information, in particular for early
stages of education, and the methods followed in encouraging reading.
His
Highness chatted with students who expressed their happiness and joy on his
visit to the school. He urged them to exert further efforts, to be more
diligent in their studies and education due to its great impact on them, their
families and country.
Advanced
Experiences
His
Highness listened to a welcome note in Chinese by students, Khalifa Rashid and
Mariam Issa, who conveyed their happiness at joining this distinguished school,
confirming their eagerness to excel. A
Chinese student also conversed with His Highness in Arabic.
His
Highness talked to teachers, members of the administration staff and
educational leaders about the new school year and their hopes for a year full
of diligent work, including outstanding initiatives to enhance and develop
education. All of this while taking advantage of the advanced experience that
are commensurate with the objectives which the State seeks to achieve in the
process of advancement, construction and development.
Repeated:
In
this regard, His Highness stressed the importance of partnerships and
investment in scientific and cultural diversity, the creation of relationships
with international cultures, providing our children with communication and
interaction skills, and the capability to work in multicultural environments.
His
Highness called for empowering families and parents to interact and contribute
to supporting educational efforts as partners in the responsibility toward
creating national minds and preparing our future generations.