UAE education goes digital

Dubai - Tech-focused initiatives showcase learning that is interactive and fun

'Gamification,' 'Personal Virtual Assistant,' and 'The Local Programer' are among the new initiatives that the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has developed. These initiatives will be showcased during the UAE Innovation Week 2016 running from November 20 to 26.
Gamification turns learning into an enjoyable journey by making it more interesting, challenging and exclusive. The HBMSU is the first university in the world to apply game theory to the learning process. The quality initiative will be implemented on campus by the second semester of early 2017. It aims to develop normal evaluation methods according to a methodology based on points collection concept through simulation teaching by gaming concepts. This will motivate learners to earn points that can be added to their academic average as well as earn some material incentives for them.
The Personal Virtual Assistant fosters interactive and smart technical dialogue by giving students the opportunity to connect with a virtual assistant round-the-clock to transform learning into a fun, flexible and effective process. Once logged into the 'Smart Campus,' the student will be welcomed by a Personal Virtual Assistant which is already familiar with the user's academic profile which contains information ranging from educational programs taken, study plans and payables to the names and contact details of supervising faculty members in order to provide the necessary assistance backed by voice and written recognition technologies.
The third initiative, 'The Local Programer,' is the result of cooperative work between the Emirates Association for Talent and Microsoft. It is a remarkably interesting methodology for developing a generation of citizens who are capable of programing. It aims to promote innovation, curiosity and cooperation among secondary school students with regards to the optimum use of evolving technology.
The initiatives were presented during a meeting held in the HBMSU campus in the presence of senior officials and academic and administrative personnel. Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, and Chairman of the university's Board of Governors, also attended the meeting.
Dr Mansoor Al Awar, chancellor of HBMSU, said: "Traditional education is no longer making that much of a significant impact in the development process. We therefore have the responsibility to develop a better educational system based on the latest technological innovations and in a form which produces pioneering graduates and talented generations embodying the wise leadership's ambitions for the future."
- reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE