UAE's Al Ghurair, MIT to offer innovative learning plan

The Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation for Education has launched an open learning scholars programme in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The programme is the first of its kind in the Arab world aimed at providing best Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education to Arab youth through innovative online and blended learning (a combination of face-to-face and digital).
With a promise to break the boundaries of open learning across the world, the programme is designed to give youth, who may not be able to travel or forgo their current employment, a chance to access high-quality education from anywhere in the world.
The first of two MicroMaster's credentials will be in the area of data science and management.
The focus of the second MicroMaster's will be determined jointly and will have a strong foundation and emphasis on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and systems.
Participants in a MicroMaster's programme must complete five individual online courses to earn an MIT credential. Students can then apply to complete a Master's at MIT or another university or seek employment opportunities in reputed companies across the world.
"If the content is not boring and the study material includes videos then I am looking forward to it," said Omar, a student of UAE University. "But, a lot of students who are not tech-savvy, might face problems."
The signing ceremony on Tuesday was held in the presence of Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chairman of the board of trustees, Maysa Jalbout, CEO of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, and Eric Grimson, chancellor for academic advancement at MIT.
ankita@khaleejtimes.com