UAEU is Now on Apple’s iTunes U, the World’s Largest Online Catalog of Free Educational Content
The United Arab Emirates’ three federal higher education institutions today have taken the next major step towards a fully integrated online learning platform for their students.
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology have all joined iTunes U, a dedicated area of the iTunes Store (www.itunes.ae), which will offer free educational content from leading educational institutions, which can be downloaded for free on a computer (Apple Mac or PC), or Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, thus providing innovative teaching & learning opportunities.
This initiative will enable the UAE’s federal universities and colleges to provide online educational materials and courses on a large scale. Students will have access to high quality educational content from different parts of the world.
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: “I wish to express my appreciation for the support of the UAE leaders and their confidence in UAE higher education institutions. This is a new step that reinforces the high ranking of our colleges and universities, and new evidence that the UAE colleges and universities have made pioneering steps in the use of modern technologies in education on a large scale.”
The UAEU, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology have taken a new major step towards activating their vital role in the use of modern technologies in education, especially the iPad from Apple, as the UAE colleges and universities have provided iPads to their students this year in accordance with the directives of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.
These universities and colleges have all joined iTunes U, a dedicated area of the iTunes Store, which will offer free educational content from leading educational institutions which can be downloaded on a computer for the benefit of all students in the UAEU, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology. This membership will allow these three institutions to work closely and coordinate effectively in the area of academic programs, authoring and publication, as well as the effective use of modern technologies in education, thus enhancing student learning capabilities and engagement enormously so as to prepare national students to succeed in the information age and serve their country in the various industries upon graduation. H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan said he was pleased with this initiative, as it reinforces the pioneering endeavors of UAE colleges and universities to use modern technologies in education.
“As we join iTunes University today, we embark on the next phase of the implementation of the UAE Federal Mobile Learning Initiative, where students were provided with iPads. I take the opportunity on this occasion to express profound gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, for his vision and sound directives that laid the foundations for effective work plans in all the UAE higher education institutions. We wish to place strong emphasis on his highness’s vision of the role of education and technologies in the development of society, the individual and the United Arab Emirates. This initiative embodies these directives and reflects our strong commitment to his highness’s vision, as well as our allegiance to our country and its citizens,” H.E. Sheikh Nahayan added.
“I also wish to express utmost appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, for his emphasis on intelligent education and his great support of UAE universities and colleges. I wish to assure his highness that these universities and colleges will always meet his expectations and move forward to become in the forefront of prestigious universities around the world.
“I take pride today in the remarkable efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed All Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, dedicated to the development of education in the UAE and provision of the latest technologies in our universities and colleges. We praise his highness’s ongoing support of the key role of universities and colleges in the UAE in developing a knowledge-based society and achieving sustainable development in the UAE. We are fortunate to have such a visionary leadership and strong ties between our leadership and the people, which have made the UAE a great nation in the region and the world,” Sheikh Nahayan said.
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan added: “On the occasion of launching this key initiative, I wish to state that our membership in iTunes University will serve several purposes:
First: It will reinforce our role as active models in the use of technologies in education and will strengthen our ties with Apple Inc. and with the member universities and colleges. This initiative will enhance our ability to ensure rewarding and constructive cooperation with international universities and colleges.
Second: This initiative reflects once more our interest and determination to benefit from technologies in education, where student access to mobile technologies in all aspects of the educational process will be ensured. This initiative will doubtlessly create classrooms without borders, empowering students to discover and explore knowledge from around the globe and to embrace lifelong learning.
Third: This initiative is being coordinated and implemented by the United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, as members of a unified dynamic and distinguished education system.
Fourth: The full picture is a reflection of our leadership’s vision of the role of education and technologies in the development of the United Arab Emirates.”
The launch of this initiative is an integral part of the launch of the UAE Federal Mobile Learning Initiative this year by the UAEU, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, where iPads were provided to students for use in all areas of education. The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, and Apple Inc. representatives. The launch marked the largest nationwide mobilization of mobile learning in higher education anywhere in the world. It is worthy of mention that this project proved to be highly successful and welcomed by students and faculty. We hope that these technologies will be effective means to enhance learning and pave the way to excellence.
