Samsung selected as one of the preferred technology partner to implement the UAE’s smart learning initiative

Following the successful kick-off of the pilot project for the ‘Mohammad Bin Rashid Smart Learning Initiative’ by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and the Smart Learning committee,it was announced today that Samsung has been selected as one of the preferred technology partners to implement the first phase of the pilot project in five out of eight schools. This initiative was launched in April 2012 under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“The UAE is at the forefront of education with reforms such as the ‘Mohammad Bin Rashid Smart Learning Initiative’ and we are proud to be a part of this educational revolution,” said Madhav Narayan, Senior Regional Director, Enterprise Business Group at Samsung Gulf Electronics. “We congratulatethe UAE Ministry of Education and the Smart learning committee for successfully launching this initiative. The Smart Learning Initiative will be vital in not only revolutionizing the UAE’s educational landscapebut also in raising the country’s profile among the developed countries of the world.”

“As technology-based learning plays an integral role in transforming the UAE’s educational sector, we believe that it is vital to enrich the learning and teaching experiencethrough empowering educators and students with the right tools.Hence, we are honored to be part of this initiative of the MOE, UAE and as the only vendor to providing e a complete portfolio of Smart Classroom solutions. Smart schools will certainly be a big step towards realizing a strong knowledge-based society,” added Madhav.

The Dh1 billion ‘Mohammad Bin Rashid Smart Learning Initiative’ is part of the UAE Vision 2021 and is set to createa new learning environment in public schools.Through the launch of ‘smart classes’,every student will be provided with an electronic tablet and access to high speed 4G networks by 2017. The project's first phase involves grade seven students in three schools in Dubai, three in Sharjah, and two in Ajman. Recently,His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visitedUmm Ammar Primary School for girls, which isone of the selected schools that has implemented Samsung’s Smart Classroom solutions.

By utilizing Samsung’s Smart classroom solution-- which was tailored to the specific requirements of the project, schools/institutions are able to transform a conventional learning setting into a Smart classroom. Samsung’s Smart classroom solutions includes laptops for teachers, an interactive board (E-Board), and Slate PCs for Students. Students in these Smart classrooms can enjoy collaborative learning with their peers and interact with the teacher. They not only can connect with the school intranet but also log into networks outside of the school through Wi-Fi and other connection channels. Using the Interactive E-Board’s Classroom Management software, teachers can share content, conduct tests; monitor and control students' devices; and share a particular student’s work with others by importing their content onto the E-board.

“As Education is a priority for the UAE,we are excited to be working closely with the Ministry of Education and the Smart Learning committee to help realize an integral part of the UAE Vision 2021,” concluded Madhav.