Knowledge Exchange
Institute for Community Engagement: Public Training and Development Initiatives
Training and development programs at the Institute for Community Engagement (ICE) are designed to meet the specific needs of different government entities, universities and the different segments of the UAE community at large. Focusing on specific training objectives and specified by our different clients.
The institute aims to:
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Making available ZU academic and expert resources available to the community
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Continuously offering programs that align with global trends and community-changing needs
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Creating a network of subject matter experts for a variety of training programs
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The institute provides training programs, events, workshops and special engagement events to liaison with key stakeholders and key groups of the community
Vision
A world-class training institute offering training programs that fit all community needs.
Mission
To support the cultural, social, and economic development of the UAE by providing diverse outreach, training and development programs and activities that address the needs of the different community groups.
Values
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Community Centered
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Responsiveness
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Flexibility
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Innovation
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Adaptability
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Creativity
Services Offered
High-quality, accessible, innovative and effective solutions are provided to help individuals thrive in their personal and professional pursuits. A comprehensive range of services is designed to meet the diverse learning needs of our community that can be customized to the training requests and offer public courses or certification programs.
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Executive training programs
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Corporate trainings
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Languages, art, culture, and lifestyle training
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Customized training programs
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Proficiency test preparations and test-taking facilities
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Consultation
ICE offers a diverse range of programs across seven dynamic focus areas:
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Cyber Resilience & Security: Preparing individuals and organizations to tackle the challenges of the digital age with advanced cybersecurity skills and strategies.
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Business Excellence & Entrepreneurship: Equipping professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to lead and innovate in an ever-changing business landscape.
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Sustainability & Environmental Impact: Empowering communities to drive sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
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AI, Data Science & Digital Transformation: Building future-ready leaders with expertise in artificial intelligence, big data, and digital transformation.
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Leadership & Executive Development: Nurturing the next generation of visionary leaders through bespoke and impactful leadership programs.
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Language Center: Enhancing communication and cultural understanding through world-class language training programs. Our offerings include courses in Arabic, English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, French, Spanish, and more, tailored to meet the needs of professionals, students, and organizations seeking to thrive in a multicultural world.
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Consulting Services: Providing customized solutions and expert guidance to support organizations in addressing complex challenges and achieving their strategic goals.
Fostering Cultural Exchange and Language Education: Confucius Institute at Zayed University
Confucius Institute at Zayed University (CIZU) is an institution established in collaboration with Beijing Foreign Studies University. Its operations began on August 24, 2010. The Institute is located at Zayed University's Abu Dhabi campus, with additional teaching sites at the Zayed University Dubai campus.
History
CIZU was inaugurated on March 7, 2012, with the unveiling ceremony graced by BFSU and Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, then Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the UAE and President of Zayed University. Over the past decade, CIZU has actively contributed to the introduction of Chinese language education into the UAE's education system and the implementation of Chinese language programs in numerous schools.
Mission
CIZU is dedicated to promoting Chinese language teaching, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening cooperation between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in various domains. Through its activities, CIZU aims to enhance the status of Chinese language and culture, facilitate educational collaborations, and broaden understanding and appreciation of Chinese traditions and values.
CIZU offers many programs and events, such as:
Chinese Language courses
CIZU offers Chinese Language courses to university students, schools, adults, and young children with levels ranging from beginners to advance level. It also offers public courses at an affordable fee to spread mandarin language across the country.
Joint Educational Programs
CIZU has established fruitful collaborations with esteemed institutions and organizations in the UAE. These include partnerships with many organizations, Government and Private entities in providing joint educational Programs.
Chinese Cultural Events
China has one of the rich cultures in the eastern world that amazes all by just alone looking at the numerous festivals they celebrate each symbolizes a custom, tradition significance of an event occurred. At CIZU we give more importance to such events and celebrate them with our students and community. Occasions such as Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Mid-Autumn Festival, Lantern Festival and introduce them to Chinese Tea Culture, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting etc.
Corporate Chinese language and cultural programs
Since its establishment, CIZU has been offering variety of Chinese Language and Cultural programs to corporate entities be it Government or Private. Some of the programs are designed to get hands on experience to the participants about the language and culture by arranging tour to China.
Programs on Chinese art, music, painting, medicine
We take pride in Chinese performances and happy to teach to UAE community.
HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers' abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. Any Chinese language learner in the UAE is welcome to register HSK in CIZU. You can register online https://www.chinesetest.cn by yourself or contact the HSK teacher in CIZU.
King Sejong Institute Dubai (KSID)
Mission
Contributing to global coexistence and co-prosperity, as well as national happiness by promoting cultural exchange through the spread of the Korean language and culture.
A total of 808 students have been trained since 2019-2023, and 548 students have graduated in the last 4 years from 2019-2013.
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning Policy
This policy outlines the guiding principles and responsibilities for coordinating and managing continuing education and lifelong learning programs and activities that involve members of the Zayed University community.
Scope of Application
This policy applies to the continuing education and lifelong learning programs and activities coordinated and managed by Zayed University’s Institute for Community Engagement where a revenue is expected.
Definitions
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Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning: educational programs and activities outside of the university’s regular academic programs and curricula.
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Community: a combination of both the ZU and external communities.
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External: related to an individual and/or organization outside of Zayed University.
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ZU Community: the employees and students of Zayed University.
Policy
In line with its vision and mission, Zayed University is committed to offering continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities to the community. The university will identify and respond to needs within the university and external community and make use of the expertise and facilities available to bring beneficial outcomes to all concerned.
Guiding Principles
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Continuing education and lifelong learning programs/activities involving ZU employees and/or facilities will be coordinated and managed by the university’s Institute for Community Engagement (ICE).
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ICE will maintain and develop productive relationships with the community and will encourage colleges and departments to identify any training needs.
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ICE is responsible to represent the university in contractual negotiations with the client (ZU or external) and the provider (ZU or external).
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ZU colleges must inform ICE when engaging in continuing education and/or lifelong learning programs/activities with the external community.
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Whenever possible, ICE will engage ZU employees to design and deliver programs and/or activities that fit community needs. ICE will engage external providers when the appropriate expertise is not available from within the ZU community.
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Any additional teaching and/or course development activity arranged through ICE and undertaken by a ZU employee must not interfere with the employee’s satisfactory completion of his/her employment obligations to the university.
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ZU employees must obtain their dean’s/director’s written approval before any additional work may be undertaken. Upon receiving the appropriate approval, ZU employees will enter into a contractual agreement with ICE for the design and/or delivery of the program/activity.
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ZU employees on full-time appointment will be compensated for their time designing and delivering programs/activities through ICE. The hourly rates for compensation are governed by university policies and procedures.
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ICE will charge a percentage of the overall program/activity fee as deemed profitable to cover the Institute’s overheads and operational costs.
ICE will regularly evaluate its programs and services through surveys of clients and providers, in order to maintain and improve the quality of the programs and services it provides.
Zayed University (ZU) and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education (AGFE), have virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support young Emiratis and Arab youth along their education and early employment journeys.
The agreement was signed by H.E Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, President of Zayed University, and H.E Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AGFE over video conference. The MoU builds on one of the many of objectives of the UAE Government’s strategy, which is aimed at creating effective partnerships between public and private institutions to implement the main goals pertaining to human welfare being the real wealth of society and uniting all efforts to achieve this goal.Through this collaboration, AGFE will offer the Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Program, a bilingual (English and Arabic) digital university and career readiness platform designed to support Emirati students with employment exposure and awareness, soft skills for success development, and advising services to support students in their education to employment transitions. The fully online program is free of charge, already has over 14,000 registered users, and will help students and graduates gain the skills that employers are looking for, as well as offer up to date, relevant information pertaining to university life and the job market. AGFE has an active research department as well, and both entities will explore potential research opportunities to support further advancement of knowledge in the UAE
“We are delighted to join forces with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, and form an extended bridge of cooperation, academic integration, and joint research work. We look forward to exchanging knowledge and training our students and graduates, as well as enabling the research agenda to develop further,” said Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, President of Zayed University.
Her Excellency also pointed out that the academic programs and extracurricular activities at Zayed University were integrated to enhance student skills to match the requirements and aspirations of our wise leadership to advance into a knowledge-based society.
“This partnership translates our common vision towards achieving our goal for the development and empowerment of Emirati youth, and we are very happy to sign this MoU with Zayed University as we strongly believe that establishing partnerships and collaborations with public and private organizations is key to achieving sustainable impact and development for our society,” said, H.E Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al Ghurair Foundation for Education.
The agreement translates into Zayed University’s Student Careers & Alumni Department maintaining a commitment towards providing high quality and professional information, advice, guidance and career counselling to ZU’s students and graduates. Rashed Al Shamsi, Department Acting Director, stated, “We are aiming, regardless of the current circumstances to offer a wide range of services and programs to support ZU’s students in making well-informed career decisions and supporting their journey as ZU Alumni. Thanks to AGFE, together we shall prepare qualified graduates in an innovative and supportive educational environment who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership skills.”
Zayed University's Zai Centre unveils an advanced diagnostic tool to assess Arabic language difficulties amongst children aged 6 to 11 years old
The Zai Centre at Zayed University has today launched a new diagnostic tool designed to detect Arabic reading difficulties of young children. SARD, or the “Screening Arabic Reading Difficulties” tool, utilizes innovative technology to identify learning gaps and enables schools to make informed decisions on how to tailor their approach to teach individual students. The tool is specifically targeted at children from grade 1 to grade 6.
The launch of the tool marks an important milestone for the Zai Centre and for Zayed University. The drive to reinvigorate and introduce standardisation for the teaching of the Arabic language is a core objective for the Zai Centre, which is led by Dr Hanada Taha Thomure.
SARD is a cloud-based tool that can predict, based on speed and accuracy of processing and performance, a range of reading difficulties, in addition to identifying potential developmental disorders, and learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and spelling disorders. SARD then produces easily digestible analytical reports and charts to present a student’s performance data on the reading skills assessments. This enables teachers to benchmark the student’s results against previous assessments taken and to also compare them against their peers who are in the same age group or grade level within their school, country and against global norms.
The Zai Centre is launching an initial targeted pilot scheme in Lebanon before launching a wider pilot across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Zai’s leadership have already met with a number of leading education providers across the Emirates who have registered interest in participating in the pilot program. It is hoped that after a successful pilot the program will be rolled out to all schools who wish to utilise the tool.
Zayed University has recently launched a wide-ranging transformation program a key pillar of which is applied interdisciplinary research. The SARD tool, a flagship product from the Zai Centre, is directly aligned with this new strategic approach which focuses on the delivery of academic research with practical applications in line with national and international priorities.
Zai, since its launch in November 2022 under the leadership of Dr Hanada Taha Thomure, has been at the forefront of innovation in Arabic teaching and language. The Centre seeks to identify best practice while enabling teachers to inspire their students with a passion for the language. Zai’s mission is to develop education tools for Arabic teaching and to inspire research through innovative solutions based on knowledgeable research.
Dr Hanada spoke about the importance of Zai’s pioneering efforts to preserve the culture of the UAE, and how resources such as SARD can assist with this, saying, “Zai is not only about teaching the language itself, but preserving and celebrating the rich culture and history of the Arab world. As a country that deeply values its cultural heritage, the UAE understands the importance of promoting and preserving the Arabic language and its diverse traditions. It is our hope that the development of innovative resources, such as SARD, will revitalize Arabic teaching.
“SARD will not only strengthen the future of the Arabic language and enhance the learning experience for young people across the UAE, but it will also contribute to the UAE's national goal of preserving the country’s unique cultural identity for generations to come. The phenomenal interest in SARD we have seen expressed from those involved in Arabic education across the Middle East underscores the importance of our endeavors to develop new tools to improve the teaching and learning experience,” concluded Dr Hanada.
The Zai Centre has developed a website for schools to register their interest in joining SARD, as well as further information on the tool: www.arabisard.com.
Zayed University "Give Back" Campaign Launched to Encourage Alumni to Mentor Next Generation of UAE Leaders
Zayed University has launched a new "Give Back" campaign which invites alumni to share their expertise with the next generation of UAE leaders. At a launch event held at both campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Zayed University committed to strengthening the bond with their passionate alumni, who can provide invaluable guidance and support to current students as they shape their future careers.
Those in attendance at the events were introduced to the interdisciplinary educational approach now adopted by Zayed University and the innovative Partner Challenge program which sees external mentors set students challenges based on real world problems. The event also included a coaching session titled “Mentoring for High Impact”, which provided practical tips and insights to the alumni on how they can optimise the mentor experience for both themselves and the students.
Mentoring plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of individuals and communities alike. Recognizing the tremendous impact that alumni can have on current students, Zayed University is eager to foster lifelong connections between students and alumni. Through the “Give Back” campaign, the university aims to create an environment where alumni can share their wealth of knowledge and career experiences with current university students, thereby inspiring and empowering them to achieve their full potential.
Rashed al Shamsi, Acting Director, Student Careers and Alumni Department at Zayed University welcomed the initiative saying, "Since our foundation more than 20,000 students have graduated from Zayed University. This community of alumni are one of our greatest strengths and we are committed to strengthening the connections between former and current students. A university degree at Zayed University is about far more than lectures and we firmly believe that our alumni are uniquely placed to provide mentorship roles which will play a critical role in shaping the future of our students, empowering them to advance their careers. By forging connections across different generations of Zayed University alumni, we aim to build a vibrant community that celebrates the spirit of mentorship and collaboration."
Maryam AlAli, a Zayed University alumnus who graduated with her Bachelors degree in 2008 and her Masters Degree in 2014, participated in the Partner Challenge this year. After graduating Maryam founded Clear & Conquer, a Miami based company, aimed at empowering 1 million disruptors to create generational wealth and break generational chains. Commenting on her participation in the Partner Challenges Maryam said: “The partner challenge program gives ZU students a unique experience, to expand their reach, and prepare them to get 10X the results in the workplace! We are honored to be part of it! ZU is 10X!”
“Give Back” builds on the successful Partner Challenge program, which provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge outside the classroom to a real-world challenge proposed by an industry partner, in an innovative approach that encourages alumni to actively participate in mentoring activities. The program, which is mandatory for all students in the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, has many high-profile partnering companies including Accenture, CISCO, and Coca Cola. The University aims to build on the already successful program by attracting the involvement of more partners across a diverse array of industries.
In recent years, Zayed University has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to teaching as part of its strategy which aims to deliver better outcomes for students, increasing employability, and ensuring students are prepared for the future of work.
UAE's first Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Center offers spectral library website for public use
The Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Center at the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University has earned a commendable badge by presenting the first UAE Spectral Library website for public use, where users can interact and access spectral information derived using a Use hyperspectral camera and Field Portable Spectroradiometers, as well as remote sensing images from space and airborne platforms for remote spectroscopic sensing.
The center is considered the first of its kind in the UAE to carry out planetary studies, environmental studies, training and consultancy in the remote sensing sector.
Professor Dr. Faris Howari, Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, said that the center is equipped with a Mars Simulation chamber, which creates the environment of any planet to study and simulate these environments using hyperspectral imaging in the laboratory and conduct scientific research. The fruit of this scientific innovation culminates the effort with a number of studies and researches that have been published with more than 20 research papers in prestigious international journals within a short period of time.
Dr. Hawari confirmed that the center was established with the help of the Emirates Space Agency, with the aim of facing the challenges of the remote sensing sector in the UAE Space Agency and beyond, as well as provide opportunities for stratified research, innovation and education across the dimensions of natural sciences and engineering disciplines.
The Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Center is equipped with highly advanced software and tools along with a high-performance computer for research, innovation and learning in the Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing field using satellite imagery. It also supports the center and its affiliated laboratories by conducting numerous research in key areas including: space sciences, remote sensing, water management, water security, sustainable water production, environmental quality and assessment, climate change, ecosystems, marine pollution, and natural resource management.
He mentioned that the center provides opportunities for many highly qualified faculty members from different departments at Zayed University to participate in many different activities at the center, following the efforts of the UAE, which seeks to advance education, invest in skills development of our students’ to keep pace with global scientific developments, and the rapid changes in the world.
“Since conducting laboratory experiments is one of the best ways to inspire, motivate and revitalize today’s youth, the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University, as part of its educational strategic plan, aims to provide experiential learning through practical projects that give students the needed ‘hand on’ experience through learning by doing, which allows students to link theoretical sciences with applied sciences.
Accordingly, the College of Natural and Health Sciences has devoted great efforts to provide these opportunities by adopting initiatives and a system of partnership with international scientific institutions to develop plans and future projects, and to adopt initiatives that contribute to enhancing students' skills.
Public Events
Zayed University Successfully Hosts "Sustainable Success: Navigating Campus to Career" Conference
Zayed University recently hosted a major conference, "Sustainable Success: Navigating Campus to Career," at the Zayed University Convention Center, Dubai Campus. The event addressed challenges and solutions during the transition from campus life to the professional world.
The conference featured insightful panel discussions, engaging circle sessions, and influential speakers, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the journey from university to employment. Participants connected with career experts, employers, and representatives from the ZU Career team, making the event a valuable resource for those seeking sustainable success in the job market.
Prof. Michael Allen, Acting Vice President of Zayed University, commented, "This conference exemplifies our commitment to empowering students for successful transitions into their professional lives. It's a testament to the collaborative efforts of academia and industry."
As the distinguished keynote speaker, Mr. Essa Al Mulla, Chief of National Workforce Development at the Emirates National Development Program, said, "We take pride in acknowledging the efforts made in attracting more UAE Nationals to the workforce. This success is a result of unprecedented partnerships between UAE Nationals and non-nationals in the development of the UAE. Let's not overlook Dubai's visionary goal to reduce unemployment among UAE Nationals to below 1%."
The first panel, titled "Bridging the Gap - Challenges and Solutions," showcased fresh graduates sharing experiences and obstacles in transitioning to the professional realm. Distinguished panelists highlighted the crucial role of universities in shaping their journey to employment, providing valuable advice for student transitions and ensuring a smooth onboarding process.
The second panel focused on "Challenges Faced by Employers Regarding New Recruits - Insights into the Hiring Gap." Attendees gained valuable insights into the employer's perspective on recruiting fresh graduates, covering hiring approaches, qualities sought in new recruits, and measures to support their transition.
The conference also featured a panel discussion on "The Impact of AI in Shaping Career Paths," exploring the essentials of AI and its role in the job market. Discussions extended to leveraging AI's potential at universities and in the workplace, uncovering the transformative power of AI in shaping the careers of tomorrow.
Zayed University extends gratitude to all participants, including PwC Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever, Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, UAEU, du, Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University and Higher Colleges of Technology, and wishes to anticipate more events in the future.
Zayed University's Annual Hackathon Promotes Vital Career Skills in AI & Sustainability
Zayed University (ZU) proudly announces the conclusion of its 3rd Annual Digital Transformation Hackathon organized by CTI NextGen Center. The event, which took place as part of the UAE’s Month of Innovation, focused on AI & Sustainability. Students from ZU, the American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, University of Dubai, engaged in a range of workshops and mentorship sessions which promoted vital technology skills and encouraged the practical development of groundbreaking ideas. The event was aimed at inspiring the next generation to pursue careers which help drive the nation toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
The hackathon, which has become an annual event, was held from February 21st to 22nd at the NextGen Center on Zayed University’s Dubai Campus. Hosted by the College of Technology & Innovation, the event is a testament to the university’s commitment to advancing the technical skills of students and ensuring they are prepared for the future workforce, in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.
The challenges during the event were crafted in collaboration with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Over two days student teams showcased their skills in blockchain, big data, and augmented reality.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented: “Our participation in the Zayed University Hackathon reaffirms Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s commitment to supporting university students in their learning journeys and in recognition of the importance of digital transformation to our national economy. Talented young Emiratis are the key to the growth of our digital economy and the engine that will accelerate the nation’s transformation into one of the world’s leading digital hubs. The chamber remains committed to supporting the success of the local digital ecosystem and fast-tracking the emirate’s transformation into a leading global capital of the digital economy in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).”
Saeed Al Mansoori, Director of Remote Sensing Department, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), said: “The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) participated in the 3rd Annual Digital Transformation Hackathon, organized by the Next Gen Center at Zayed University, by presenting a student challenge focused on water quality monitoring. Throughout the proposed challenge, MBRSC aimed to not only address a critical environmental issue but also to spark innovative solutions utilizing remote sensing technologies. This two-day event was not just a challenge; it was a platform for students to dive deep into real-world problems, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary learning. We are immensely proud to have contributed to fostering a new generation of thinkers who are ready to tackle ecological challenges with creativity, scientific understanding, and a sense of responsibility towards our planet.”
Dr. Fatma Taher, Director - NextGen Center Zayed University College of Technological Innovation, and event organizer, said: “Delighted to announce that this year's annual hackathon at CTI NextGen Center, Zayed University, has seen an incredible surge in student participation. With more students joining forces from various universities across the UAE, we're igniting a powerful movement towards innovation and sustainability. Together, we're not just solving challenges; we're shaping the future we aspire to live in. Join us as we celebrate the enthusiasm and dedication of our student innovators in driving positive change.”
Across February ZU hosted more than 50 events as part of the UAE's Innovation Month, an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office, and a nationwide celebration of creativity and readiness for the future.
Education experts gather at Zayed University to advance Arabic literacy across Middle East
A highly anticipated conference aimed at promoting literacy in the Arabic language has taken place in Abu Dhabi this week. Organized by Zayed University’s Zai Arabic Language Centre, the event titled: “Learning to Read: A Path to Improving Arabic Literacy in MENA”, saw delegates from world-leading institutions gather to share ideas and their expertise in an effort promote improvements in the teaching of the Arabic language. The two-day conference, held at the Sheikha Fatima Theatre located on the Zayed University Abu Dhabi campus, has garnered significant attention and participation from across the region.
Opening the event, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and President of Zayed University said, “At Zayed University, we strive to undertake bold initiatives, form partnerships, and cultivate cooperation with stakeholders at the national, regional, and international levels. Our objective is to advance the Arabic language teaching mechanisms and elevate the reading proficiency of our students. We recognize this as a strategic objective and a promising investment in our future.
“The conference has served as a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss innovative approaches to promote literacy in the Arabic language. Attendees have had the opportunity to explore the latest research, teaching methodologies, and technological advancements relevant to Arabic language education.”
As a leading institution in the region, the Zai Arabic Language Centre at Zayed University has quickly established itself as playing a prominent role in fostering linguistic excellence and embracing cultural diversity in the Arabic language. Master of Ceremony and Zai Centre Director Dr Hanada Taha Thomure, said, “Promoting literacy across the Arabic speaking world is a national priority for the UAE Government and we at Zayed University are proud to be playing a leading role in this endeavor. It is something of a rarity to bring together such a coalition of committed people and organizations to work together towards this goal. This gathering of stakeholders reflects the great progress we have made at Zai to-date and paves the way for us to continue to successfully collaborate with partners to radically improve the teaching of the Arabic language, while promoting its rich heritage that we treasure so dearly.”
His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, stressed that education is a top priority for the UAE government, saying: “Since the establishment of the UAE, our founding father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan emphasized the role of education in the development of nations, as reflected in his statement: ‘The real asset of any advanced nation is its people, especially the educated ones, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education'. Equitable education means investing in qualified teachers with pedagogical and educational experience, creating a learning environment that stimulates all students, and offering academic support and access to the necessary technology and other relevant educational resources.”
Praising the collaborative efforts of stakeholders to promote the Arabic language, the Director General of Arab Thought Foundation, Professor Henri Awit, said, “what ATF is doing in terms of promoting Arabic language stems from its deep belief that the Arabic language is an essential component of the unifying Arab identity, as well as our firm conviction of its pivotal role in the renaissance of the Arab world, because it is a living language and the language of life, and it is the language of the past, present, and the future”.
The event included a series of panel discussions and keynote addresses involving representatives from the education ministries of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, as well as international organizations like the World Bank, USAID, UNESCO, Queen Rania Foundation, international universities, authors, and many others. These discussions served as a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss innovative approaches to promote literacy in the Arabic language.
Notable sessions included interactive panel discussions on Arabic national literacy strategies, and fostering Arabic through technologies, as well as a presentation on play-based learning for the Arabic language. Participants were inspired by the thought-provoking discussions and practical strategies shared by experts in their respective fields in enhancing learning outcomes. Arabic language enthusiasts in attendance have had the opportunity to establish partnerships that will strengthen efforts to promote Arabic language literacy in the Middle East and further afield.
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children celebrates World Mental Health Day at Zayed University
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) is organising its unique "Know Me" game event to coincide with World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated worldwide on 10th October every year, with the aim of improving knowledge, raising awareness and advancing measures that promote and protect mental health for all as a universal human right. The
event is being organised at Zayed University today with the aim of building relationships and deepening knowledge among individuals in the immediate environment, whether friends or family members, as the idea of the "Know Me" game revolves around asking questions that reveal different aspects of the personalities of family members and friends, including their interests, experiences and dreams.
Through this interactive game, the Foundation seeks to strengthen social ties between participants and get to know each other more deeply in an atmosphere of fun and positive interaction.
Her Excellency Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said that this event aims to enhance effective communication between individuals, as building positive relationships contributes to enhancing mental health and social stability. Interactive games such as the “Know Me” game designed by the Foundation are an effective means to achieve this.
She added that organizing this event comes within the framework of the Foundation’s keenness to organize many events and activities targeting children and families with the aim of enhancing health, psychological and social awareness, noting that these events include workshops, seminars, awareness campaigns, story reading sessions and other interactive activities that aim to empower families and enhance their role in raising psychologically and socially healthy children.
It is noteworthy that these activities are part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to keep pace with Dubai Social Agenda 33, which focuses on strengthening family ties and providing a supportive and encouraging environment for healthy and safe living, achieving the happiest, most connected and tolerant families, adhering to national values and identity, and reaching the most efficient and quality health system that keeps pace with the best international standards by promoting healthy lifestyles and developing the quality of health, preventive, physical and psychological services at an acceptable cost. The Foundation also seeks, through its activities, to provide students with diverse skills and capabilities for the future.
There will be a special platform for the game “Know Me” at the university, in addition to distributing the game to female students to practice it and disseminating it to their families to achieve the greatest benefit and expand the scope of the outputs in order to achieve the goals for which the game was launched.