Abu Dhabi keen to become education hub: Nahyan

ABU DHABI - The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is determined to become a centre of excellence for education, research and development, said Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

By (Staff Reporter)

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Published: Thu 30 Jun 2011, 10:02 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 7:41 AM

Addressing a forum called “Sustainable Alignment”, organised by the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the minister said: “Abu Dhabi’s strategic plan and its vigorous actions reflect a bold global vision built on effective plans for human resources development, full productive employment of citizens, reduced dependence on oil and expanded manufacturing.

“Abu Dhabi is committed to boosting creativity and innovation, and also promotes entrepreneurship, encourages investments in new companies and supports entrepreneurial education and training.”

Shaikh Nahyan further pointed out that a knowledge-based economy required comprehensive expertise in all relevant economic fields including technology, agriculture, industries, services, education, culture, society, finance, communications and others.

He explained: “In a knowledge-based society, we must be leaders in knowledge creation and use. People in a knowledge society are the real wealth of their nation and human capital is the engine of economic growth.

“The educational system in a knowledge-based society must therefore go beyond imparting mere technical skills. It must seek to develop critical and analytical thinking, to teach more than one language, to foster understanding of the society’s culture and heritage within a global context, to ensure that graduates are proficient in the use of information technology, and to encourage creative activity and risk-taking.”

He further called on all participants to join in a shared obligation to further the role of higher education in the society and share the pledge to prepare UAE nationals for successful employment and future civic and economic leadership of the nation, and to position the UAE as an intellectual and economic force in the region and beyond.

He also stressed the important role of higher education and research in helping to diversify the economy and to strengthen the quality of life of UAE nationals, the need to provide a wide range of programmes and resources to match student abilities and societal needs and the need to provide high quality programmes that support economic growth and expand employment opportunities.

Shaikh Nahyan said institutions of higher education are therefore critical to the knowledge-based economy of Abu Dhabi and the whole country.

“We, in the Ministry of Higher Education, along with the faculties at the UAE University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, know that we must provide our citizens an education that supports and advances our national goals. We are, after all, responsible for educating the people who will run our knowledge-based economy and lead our society of the future,” he added.

news@khaleejtimes.com


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