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UAE bracing to keep pace with evolving technology: Nahyan

ABU DHABI - E-ducation is the future of learning and we are bracing ourselves to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology by constantly interacting and adapting, said Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Speaking to Khaleej Times about the upcoming three-day e-ducation conference by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), which kicks off in Abu Dhabi on February 22, Shaikh Nahyan noted that the previous e-ducation conference, in 2001, had tremendously benefited the students with its international exposure and generated considerable trade interaction.

"Higher education and e-learning in the UAE will benefit from close interaction with other cultures and I believe it shows great confidence in our abilities that we do not rest on our laurels but are willing to expose ourselves to other people and their cultures, learning from them to better ourselves," Shaikh Nahyan said.

As part of the present conference, renowned experts from different walks of life would speak to the students on three relevant issues for the 21st century - innovation, knowledge and entrepreneurship, which he hoped would inspire students to achieve greater heights.

The minister also expected that the conference would generate lively debate on different aspects of e-learning, and become a biennial event on the HCT calendar.

Dr Tayeb Kamali, Director of the Abu Dhabi Men's College (ADMC), one of the main organisers, noted that on the basis of the follow-up generated from the first e-ducation conference, a World Forum will be organised on the sidelines of the conference at Burj Al Arab, Dubai, on February 23, to address the issues of innovation, knowledge and entrepreneurship.

He said that the 'e-ducation Without Borders' conference will be for and by the students, with about 700 students, delegates, and key educators including vice-chancellors and policy makers expected to attend.

"The conference is being held under the patronage of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and shows the President's support to the cause of e-ducation. His decision to grant us the use of the Federal National Council premises as the venue of the conference, where major political debates and decisions take place, is significant of his support to e-learning," Dr Kamali noted.

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