Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Saif bin Zayed Witnesses Signing of Two MoUs on Innovation and Student Awareness




Between Several National Institutions

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, May 31st 2016 [ME NewsWire]

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, witnesses on Tuesday, the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The first MoU, which was inked between the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program and Sheikh Zayed Private Academy, aims to activate the National Charter for Students’ Awareness of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program “Aqdar”, to serve the priorities envisioned by the UAE. The second MoU between the Ministry of Interior’s Innovation Center and the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, is designed to reinforce future cooperation in the field of innovation; in a bid to achieve the government's vision to instill innovation as a culture and lifestyle in the working environment.

The first MoU was signed by Ahmed Mohammed Al Marar, Director of Governmental Affairs Department at the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and by H.E. Mr. Khadim Al Dari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, at the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research. The signing ceremony took place at the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys in Abu Dhabi and was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Health Authority in Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC); Colonel Dr. Ibrahim Al Dabal, General Coordinator of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program; Hamad Al Dhaheri, Executive Director at ADEC's Private Schools and Quality Assurance Sector; and John Conway, Principal of the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy; along with a number of officers and officials at the MoI.

The second MoU was signed by Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior and by Dr. Arif Al Hammadi, President of Khalifa University. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Health Authority in Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC); Strategy and Performance Development Director General at the Ministry of Interior; Tod A. Laursen, President of Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research in Abu Dhabi; and Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Senior Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at the Khalifa University; along with a number of officers at the ministry, professors and directors of research centers.

Accompanied by the audience, His Highness Sheikh Saif toured the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy’s facilities. His Highness was briefed about the education system and the most important programs and initiatives, notably the military training program for graduate studies, which will be launched at the academy this upcoming September, in collaboration with the Armed Forces.

Sheikh Saif also inspected the Innovation Laboratory, which avails of the latest and advanced teaching methods in science, mathematics, English, and robotics, based on an innovative approach.

His Highness was acquainted with the cutting-edge technical and innovative applications, the digital and electronic laboratories; in addition to the design halls, intended for innovative e-projects and 3D printing.

His Highness expressed his admiration for the students’ creations that highlight their innovative talents and promote personal development according to UAE vision. During the tour,  Sheikh Saif met with the academy’s Student Council and was briefed about the council’s initiatives and objectives notably students’ personality development and promoting community service.

His Highness also visited the two Knowledge Centers at the academy, which were designed according to the 21st Century’s standards. The centers aim to promote knowledge development, enrich skills and encourage reading, research and discovery. Both centers feature state-of-the-art digital and electronic sources and exploration corners, notably the “Space Exploration Center” and “The Mars Mission”.

The academy is one of the most prestigious schools in Abu Dhabi according to the best schools survey. The school, which was inaugurated last year, provides a high quality education for students, and offers a holistic, international education program based on the American Curriculum.  and is a continuation of the success and reputation of the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls, which was established 15 years ago to fulfill the vision of the Late President, H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; in support of the education system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The MoU signing embodies the keenness of both parties to instill national identity and values in students and allow educational institutions to implement initiatives and activities that serve and support the aspirations and visions of the wise government.

The MoU between the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program and Sheikh Zayed Private Academy aims at deepening effective communication and interaction between the two parties. Under the MoU, the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program shall provide the academy with the executive plan approved by the Higher Committee, which was formed in a bid to implement the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program throughout the school year. It also aims to train, qualify, and acquaint educational and administrative faculty at the academy, with the goals, objectives and mechanisms of the Program; and to encourage them to take part in the events and activities carried out by the academy. the program will also provide the academy with periodic reports about the extent of goals achieved, and the improvement plans set forth to improve and develop performance in a way that serves the objectives of both parties. The MoU will also encourage cooperation between both parties to promote and market the activities, events and programs of Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, so as to achieve the coveted goals.

As per the MoU, the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy will adopt the National Charter for Students’ Awareness of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program “Aqdar”, as the essential reference to prepare unified awareness and preventive messages for students. The academy will also integrate and introduce the topics of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program in the curricula, as per the objectives and policies of the educational programs, and in a way that would reinforce cooperation and integration mechanisms, in accordance with common goals between both parties.

Regular joint meetings will be held to prepare unified awareness and guidance content for students, to keep abreast of latest developments and identify the appropriate mechanisms to integrate these developments in the educational system. The meetings will also serve to evaluate and determine the outcomes of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program.

Colonel Expert Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Dabal, General Coordinator of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, said: “Modern technology and the internet are becoming increasingly crucial in the economic, social, and cultural aspects of our lives.” He also stressed the importance of empowering students and acquainting them with the proper methods of safe use of the internet, boosting their sense of personal security, in order to protect them against health, moral, or legal-related problems they may encounter via these technologies. “These goals represent the key pillars of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program,” he continued.

Furthermore, Colonel Dr. Al Dabal stressed the important role of parents in supporting and promoting the program’s objectives in terms of raising children’s awareness of how to safely use the internet. He said: “Parents must direct their children to the safer use of the internet and new communications means. They must protect them against any misuse or exploitation by teaching their children how to protect their privacy, and the need to refrain from posting any information, data, pictures, etc. that may be misused by others.” 

The second MoU, which was inked between the Ministry of Interior and the Khalifa University, aims to reinforce future cooperation in exchanging knowledge and expertise, examine the applied practices, the results of field visits and benchmarking processes carried out by each party in the area of ​​innovation, and participating in workshops, conferences, exhibitions and innovation events that contribute to achieving the objectives of both parties in all fields.

The MoU focuses on providing the necessary support in terms of expertise, professional teams and available resources at both sides, to enable the University’s Office of Industrial Engagement and Technology Transfer to register international patent licenses. The office will provide technical and cognitive support upon the registration of these patents, thanks to the University’s long-standing history in this field, and its ongoing communication with local and global institutions and companies specialized in this field.

Both parties agreed to provide the necessary support in terms of participation in the provision and implementation of high-quality ideas and innovative projects by embracing innovative ideas of the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR), which plays an instrumental role as an incubator for innovation and research and enables successful business ventures to be launched, based on the outputs of innovative technological ideas. Both parties also agreed to avail of the Innovation laboratory at the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research and their respective potentials to develop and implement innovative ideas. They also pledged to jointly promote their respective events and to cooperate in order to ensure that experts and professionals are invited to attend conferences, lectures and other innovative events.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, President of the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research said: “We are honored and deeply touched by the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. His visit and the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reflect the dedicated attention and follow-up of the wise government to promote research and higher education. It also emphasizes the Khalifa University’s instrumental role in supporting innovation, through the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Interior’s Innovation Center, which represents a valuable addition to the other innovation centers that have been previously announced and to the partnerships in which the University plays a pivotal role”.

Dr. Al Hammadi praised His Highness’s visit to meet the students and to review their prestigious efforts in research and innovation, as part of their studies in the bachelor's, master's and PhD programs and  as part of their work as researchers in one of the University’s research centers.

In conclusion, he said: “We, at the Khalifa University, are seeking to achieve success within this strategic partnership and are looking forward to further joint business ventures between the university and various government agencies.

Cadre:

Saif Bin Zayed visits Khalifa University’s Research Centers

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior  toured the Khalifa University’s research centers and laboratories, which offer graduate programs in  Electrical and Computer, Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomedical, Nuclear*, or Robotics Engineering.

His Highness Sheikh Saif witnessed the presentations of the university students who showcased their research projects that serve the community, medical, security and technological fields.



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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com









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