Hussain Al Hammadi: UAE is witnessing exceptional phase of
enlightenment, development
UAE
works in line with UNESCO policies, concerning its programmes, initiatives,
missions and aspirations, and it considers the international organization as a
reference for values and knowledge
Tolerance has become a separate
entity and UAE is a symbol of moderation, openness and diversity
The country develops strategies
according to future degerminators and pillars that foster its growth
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, has said
that the UAE is witnessing an exceptional phase of enlightenment and
development, thanks to its wise leadership and the wisdom of its decision
makers. He highlighted that the cornerstone of this institutional establishment
was the ongoing investment in knowledge and education, which would help
establish a knowledge-based economy.
The observations were made as part of the UAE’s speech at the
39th session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Paris, which was
delivered by Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Al Mualla, Under-Secretary for Higher
Education Academic Affairs at the Ministry of Education, on behalf of Al
Hammadi. 195 member countries participated in the conference in the presence of
ministers of education from various countries around the world as well as
representatives of international organizations.
He
conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed
Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates,
and the Emirati people.
He
spoke about a uniform educational system for the UAE and applying the Emirati
School Model to strengthen the performance of the educational system and achieve
optimum utilisation of the available resources, efforts and capacities to
develop the educational system.
He added the country has developed
its strategies according to future degerminators and firm pillars that foster
its growth and development which focus on building comprehensive development
foundations for different sectors, primarily education.
He pointed out that the objectives of the education we look for are
aligned with the fourth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals by setting a
universal model for the Emirati school which reflects the future vision of the
UAE to be an incubator of creativity, innovation and best educational
practices. Curricula will be updated, modernized and education streams that
keep pace with the world of knowledge and job market will be ensured, in
addition to reinforcing the role of a competent and influential teacher in the
education process and the transition towards smart learning. All of this will
be coupled with providing an environment conducive to learning as well as early
childhood, collective learning, developing technical and professional youth
skills and equal education opportunities for both genders.
He mentioned that the country celebrates next 2nd of December the
46th national day which was founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan – May his soul rest in peace- in very complex regional conditions. He
stressed that the founding leader realized that the wisdom is the path to
building future, so he transitioned our people, geography and history from on
era to another. He imparted change, visions and options in the minds and
believed that the world will respect you based on your achievements and legacy.
He went on saying "That's why 2017 is the year of giving in our country
which saw numerous regional and international initiative. 2018 will be Zayed year
to commemorate his humanitarian legacy and celebrate his achievements
represented by this renaissance edifice which our nation embodies."
The minister underlined that the UAE is working in line with
UNESCO policies, concerning its programmes, initiatives, missions and
aspirations, and it considers the international organisation as a reference for
values and knowledge to support minds, plans and constructive changes.
He affirmed that this has settled in us strong convictions of the
civilizational-cultural feasibility of this role. We have initiated a
partnership with the French Republic to launch the International Alliance for
the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas. It has become an international
institution based in Geneva after several countries joined it, and we have
contributed to The International Fund for the Protection of Threatened Cultural
Heritage, pointing out that our compass in this process is the Abu Dhabi Declaration
issued at the end of 2016, adopted by the countries of the world who are keen
to save the collective memory from conflicts and the absurdity of political
conflicts.
He also referred to the efforts made by the UAE to support the
1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit
Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. He highlighted
that UNESCO had chosen Sharjah as the World Book Capital 2019.
His Excellency said that the UAE is a symbol of moderation and a
land of tolerance, openness and diversity. This is reflected in embracing of
all those who live and work in harmony, peace, and practice their rituals
freely in this land, stressing that our tolerance is now a separate entity. In
this framework, (Multi-Faith Platform for Peace) was launched.
He concluded by
reiterating the commitment of the UAE to the UN, which has a unique cultural
role and noble mission. Calling at the same time to give the UN Charter of the
Constitution the importance it deserves, especially in terms of building the
strongholds of peace in the minds.
Education
leaders praise the efforts of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum in preserving world
heritage and attention to education
In a related context,
H.E. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education praised the efforts of H.H.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of
Finance, for his directives to restore and renew the UNESCO conference hall at
its headquarters in Paris, and considered this step an extension of the UAE’s
international humanitarian and educational roles. He stressed that the work of His Highness has
left a clear mark in the establishment of frameworks in support of education in
the country, in addition to his permanent and diligent work in support of
UNESCO's programs and initiatives, which strengthened its global approach.
His Excellency praised
the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance
over the past years, which contributed significantly to the advancement of education
and achievement of the standards of leadership in the educational system, and
to build an effective educational movement enriched the educational arena and
strengthening the elements of the educational field elevating them to high and
prestigious place that we look forward to. This is done through the honoring of
individuals and institutions of educational achievements, pointing out that the
participation of the award in a mini-exhibition within the activities of the
UNESCO Conference to highlight its achievements was praised and appreciated by
all.
On his part, Dr. Mohammad
Ibrahim Al Mualla, Under-Secretary for Higher Education Academic Affairs at the
Ministry of Education, said the UAE's participation in the UNESCO Conference
comes within the framework of directions towards promoting international
efforts to preserve global cultural heritage and sustainability of education
and culture, stressing that the role played by the UAE is pivotal and its
importance stems from the support of the wise leadership's which spares no effort in strengthening
international efforts in this direction.
His Excellency praised
the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance
and its contribution to the national and international arenas through its
educational vision, which is reflected in its initiatives and quality programs
aimed at raising the ceiling of aspirations through a high-level educational
system, whose pillar is the teacher and center is the student. He pointed out
that the meetings emanating from the UNESCO conference are important for
increasing cooperation and coordination with the countries of the world in many
areas, especially education and culture.
On her part, Her
Excellency. Ms. Amal Al Koos, Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission
for Education, Culture and Science lauded HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance for the renovation of
the hall. She described his contribution to the local and international level
as effective and pivotal, pointing out its importance for supporting all UNESCO
initiatives on education, culture and the preservation of the world heritage of
mankind.
She mentioned that the
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance is
one the biggest and most important inspiring awards in the country. It comes in
the context of promoting and disseminating best educational practices and the
advancement of education through attention to the various aspects and government
entities that are concerned with education, stressing that its contributions
made a difference in advancing efforts towards a competitive education that brings
us to the knowledge economy.
She considered that the
meetings that emerged from the conference constitute an international platform
for consultation and review of programs that are concerned with education,
exchange of visions and ideas, enhancing the UAE's global presence, in addition
to highlighting the efforts and introducing the country which formed a tributary
of development and global cultural illumination. It included also the
opportunities for international cooperation and highlight parallel events that
focused on the goals of sustainable development 2030, particularly the 4th
Goal on quality of education, future curricula, global citizenship, gender
equality and heritage protection in addition to communication and information
technology.
His Excellency Matar Al
Hameli, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Support Services Sector, said
that the participation of the UAE in the UNESCO conference was positive and
effective. This is what has always shaped our work methodology by strengthening
the state's presence in international forums by introducing the achievements of
the State in different fields and reinforcing our partnerships with
international institutions and organizations that seek to offer the best
educational systems and close international cooperation in key areas that
enrich development and humanitarian goals.
He concluded that the
conference, with its extensive agenda through the special committees in the
UNESCO programs, was an opportunity to enhance our expertise, in view of the
importance of the role of these committees in informing and contributing with
the State in the development of UNESCO's plans and programs in accordance with
the priorities of the UAE in various aspects, including governance and the
UNESCO financial and administrative action plan.
05/11/2017