Ministry of Education highlights innovation and modern infrastructure as focal areas for development of schools

• President of University of Dubai: ëMade in UAE with International Standardsí remains goal of creativity and innovation in the country

Dubai, June 28, 2015: Under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, the Ramadan Council of the Emirates Scientific Club recently organised a cultural symposium on creativity and innovation in schools. In a welcome address on the occasion, Dr. Eesa M. Al Bastaki, President of University of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emirates Scientific Club, described innovation as the development of processes and innovative products for the benefit of human beings and the society. Innovation is also evident in fields such as literature, poetry, medicine, technology, programming and management, Dr. Al Bastaki added. Dr. Al Bastaki pointed out to the need to support innovation and creativity and stated that without adequate support it is difficult to develop ideas further. ìInstitutional creativity is based on creativity within each individual who works for the benefit of those institutions,î he added. Dr. Al Bastaki said the slogan ëMade in UAE with International Standardsí remains the goal of creativity and innovation in the country. Addressing the symposium, HE Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi said the Ministry of Education is working on sustained efforts to develop the concept of creativity within a strategic framework and a supportive environment. Highlighting the initiatives launched by the Ministry in this direction, HE Al Hammadi pointed to the development of innovation based curricula, the creation of robotics labs in schools, and the inclusion of innovation as a criterion in the evaluation of schools in the UAE. The Ministryís plan for the years from 2015 to 2021 focuses on the development of international and national tests, the development of institutional innovation and creation of modern infrastructure in schools such as smart classes, HE Al Hammadi added. Other dignitaries present during the symposium included His Excellency Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dr. Abdul Latif Al Shamsi, Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology, and Dr. Ahmad Eid Al Mansouri, Director General of the Decision-Making Support Centre in Dubai Police, apart from a number of officials from the Culture and Science Association in Dubai. The symposium was moderated by Salim Ahmed, presenter at the Al Oula radio channel. The symposium concluded with a number of recommendations, including the need to focus on creativity from the kindergarten level, encouraging teachers to be creative so as to be role models for students, establishing centres of innovation in all educational as well as other institutions, giving schools more freedom in creativity and innovation, and involving creative minds and innovators in the production of knowledge. The symposium also called for allocation of 1 per cent of the budgets of private and public institutions on creative programmes to achieve the ultimate goal of making products of global standards and quality in the UAE.