Education

Saudi education changes will take 12 years – minister

Saudi Deputy Minister of boys education Hamad Aal Al-Shaikh has said that the Kingdom will need 12 years to implement newly-introduced changes to its education system, Saudi Gazette has reported. At the Arab Educational Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Aal Al-Shaikh has called on the Gulf region's education ministries to work together to ensure further success. The organization is working to support educators in terms of upgrading their teaching and administrative skills, he added. Source: Saudi Gazette

Sheikh Nahayan: Women can lead other people toward worthy goals

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges, delivered the keynote address today at the last day of Insight Dubai International Conference 2012, hosted and organized by Dubai Women’s College (DWC). Sheikh Nahayan addressed a diverse audience of 130 students from 30 countries along with Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology Dr. Howard Reed, Director of DWC and other distinguished dignitaries. Sheikh Nahayan stressed that the activities of Insight Dubai should strengthen the belief of participants that women, working individually or together, can lead other people toward worthy goals and can achieve those goals if, as leaders, they are guided by a sound vision and are able to inspire others. He further added that leaders face a huge challenge in helping other people realize their full potential as good human beings. “We in the United Arab Emirates have been remarkably fortunate to have leaders of wisdom and vision. Under the wise leadership of our President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, our Vice President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE is creating a Knowledge-Based Society and Economy that can inspire the aspirations of other nations.” A number of the region’s most prominent women spoke on women’s leading political change including Ms. Raymonde Folco, Former Member of Parliament of Canada. Nima Abu Warda, Presenter of BBC World's weekly financial program of Middle East, Rana Korayem, UN Gender Equality entity Egypt & Hala Kazim, Emirati artist and entrepreneur. Source: Albawaba

Emirates Gas shares gas cylinder safety practices with students

Emirates Gas (EMGAS), a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), hosted 15 students from Al Shoola School for Girls – Sharjah on a plant visit in Ajman. Abdul Latif Al Mulla, EMGAS Plant Manager – Operations and Ali Al-Hammadi, EMGAS Quality Co-coordinator educated the students on various aspects in LPG cylinder safety, the types of cylinders, maintenance and periodic re-qualification. EMGAS representatives also conducted a demonstration on pre-inspection, handling, leak testing and scientific storage of LPG cylinders. EMGAS underlines its commitment to the society through its corporate social responsibility initiatives. The LPG Safety & Awareness Program is part of the company’s commitment to enhance overall well-being as well as educate and develop the future generation to become more socially responsible. Source: Albawaba

School places high on agenda for UAE expats

The availability of school places in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is becoming increasingly important to expat families in those cities, as competition heats up for space at international institutions. The findings of a study published by UK-based ISC Research said many parents considering a move to the UAE are now more concerned with finding school places for their children than they are about the salaries they earn. Data published by the body also revealed that expat students were facing competition from local families, many of whom now see value in Western education. “Many relocating expats with families are now demanding security of their school places before accepting new placements,” said researchers. “In certain locations, it is the availability of good school places that is driving job decisions by expats rather than salaries and destinations.” Around the world, ISC says, 80 percent of students at international schools are local children. The latest figures also show that the total number of children attending the world’s international schools has passed 3m. Source: Arabian Business

Qatar Music Academy holds introduction to music workshop

Qatar Music Academy (QMA) held a special music educational event designed to give a fun and inspiring introduction to Arab music to fifth grade children from the Mesaieed International School. 65 students from Mesaieed International School travelled to QMA’s music school in Katara Cultural Village for the event. The hour-long session gave children the chance to see traditional Arab instruments such as the ‘ud, qanun, percussion, buzuq and nay being played and the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the unique music of the region. After the workshop, the children had another treat in store when they were taken to the Katara Opera House, adjacent to QMA, to watch a rehearsal of the strings section of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. This gave them another different perspective of music - in this case, the performance of a full piece of Western orchestral music. Dr. Abdul Ghafour Al Heeti, Principal, QMA, said: ‘Our mission at QMA is two-fold. Firstly, we strive to further music education in Qatar and, secondly, we aim to foster music appreciation in the local community. The event we held today enabled us to do both, giving the youngest children a valuable insight into the world of music’. Mr. Issa Boulos, Head of Arab Music, QMA led the event. He said: ‘This event is part of our ongoing program of outreach activities, through which we hope to transmit our passion of music to the wider local community. By giving these children an introduction to the incredibly rich musical heritage of the Middle East, and exposure to Western traditional orchestral music, we hope that they will be inspired to take up music studies themselves.’ Qatar Music Academy opened in early 2011 and is one of the newest members of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Located at the heart of Katara, its students enjoy cutting-edge facilities, the finest instruments and tuition from renowned international musicians. Source: Albawaba

Tamkeen to launch key program phase

Bahrain's labor fund Tamkeen is set to launch second phase of Bahraini Qualifications Framework (BQF), one of the most important initiatives for the development of education and training in the kingdom. The program is a joint venture with the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (Qaaet), and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), which signed an agreement to push ahead with the program. Tamkeen will continue to support the project in the next phase by setting up a BQF unit within Qaaet at an estimated cost of BD1.809 million ($4.8 million) with the SQA taking on the responsibility for implementing the main processes for this task. The BQF unit at Qaaet is expected to commence operations by 2014. Tamkeen's support for the project includes covering the cost of consultant responsible for setting standards for the implementation of the framework, preparing resources and training workshops to promote awareness among concerned stakeholders and beneficiaries, developing strategic and operational plans and running pilot studies in preparation to full launch. The support budget also covers wages and training of the unit staff and preparation of the unit's office and systems. 'This national project is a key element in the reform and development of the private sector we hope to achieve,' said Tamkeen chief executive Mahmood Al Kooheji. 'Identifying the required skills and knowledge in all stages of education and training within a formal framework will help further crystallize our vision, and keep the human capital development programs in step with the requirements of the labor market,' he added. Qaaet chief executive Dr. Jawaher Al Mudhaki said the second phase of the BQF will serve as a roadmap which underpins the framework's success in realizing its objectives. 'These objectives form a key part of the efforts to reform the education and training sector in the kingdom, especially as it relates to Qaaet's mission of enhancing the culture of quality performance of the educational and training establishments and their output,' she said. 'The SQA is honored to have been awarded this opportunity to continue our work on the Bahrain Qualifications Framework,' said SQA chief executive Dr. Janet Brown. 'We look forward to working in partnership with Tamkeen and Qaaet on this crucial next phase of work, establishing the robust systems to ensure an effective future for the BQF and its governance.' BQF aims to clarify the relationship between academic and professional qualifications offered by various educational and training establishments in the kingdom across all levels and specializations, with a view to promoting awareness of the importance of focusing on the learning outcomes, beginning with the design of educational and training programs on pace with the evolving demands of the labor market. Source: TradeArabia News Service