His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister
and Ruler of Dubai, today visited educational institutions in Fujairah and
Kalbaa in Sharjah.
During
the visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed announced the allocation of AED1.5
billion to build the first group of a ‘new generation’ of Emirati schools.
He also
launched a plan to transform the Higher Colleges of Technology into economic zones
and approved a AED 100-million fund to nurture student projects and support the
career development of 65,000 students in the hospitality, retail, oil & gas
and logistics sectors.
"Our
aim is to introduce a range of new ideas in the next 50 years and foster the
development of the new generation, which will accelerate our sustainable
economic growth," His Highness said. "The new generation needs to
adopt different approaches and tools for the future," His Highness said.
"When
people have doubts due to economic volatility, we accelerate development, and
when they are afraid of the future, we further raise our commitment to build
it. We have created a vision for our nation’s development over the next 50
years," His Highness added.
Sheikh
Mohammed’s remarks came as he visited a number of education facilities
including government schools and the Higher Colleges of Technology and reviewed
their development plans. Schools that His Highness visited included Al Furqaan
Primary School for Boys and the Martyrs School 1 in Kalbaa.
His
Highness was accompanied during his visit by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi,
Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister
of Human Resources and Emiratization; Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for
Public Education; and Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister
of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills.
During
the tour, he revealed features of the new generation of schools including
design and robotics labs as well as artificial intelligence facilities. These
schools will also be equipped with healthcare and environmental labs along with
sports facilities.
The new
Fund created to support student projects is in line with the Fifty Year Charter
launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed earlier this year. His Highness also issued
directives to create specialized technical academies within colleges that
support students who want to change their careers. This will help boost the
country’s economy by enabling talented individuals to keep pace with
technological developments. The academies will be open to both students and
those who want to upgrade their professional skills in line with job market
requirements.
H.H.
Sheikh Mohammed also issued directives to implement fast track programs in higher
education institutes that enable exceptional students to get their graduate
degrees in three years.
During
the visit, His Highness was briefed by Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, President of
the Higher Colleges of Technology, about the post-employment plan created by
the Higher Colleges of Technology’s as part of its strategy for 2017–2021. The
plan creates a career roadmap for graduates after gaining employment.
The Minister of Human
Resources and Emiratization said that the visit of Sheikh Mohammed to the Fujairah
Higher Colleges of Technology reflects His Highness’s commitment to support the
development of education in the UAE and his keenness to directly engage with
citizens.
05/03/2019