Page 144 - ITU-T Focus Group Digital Financial Services – Executive Summary

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Vice President and Prime Minister of the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Ruler of Dubai — has always been an advocate of continuous and ongoing
improvements in the UAE. As Prime Minister, he envisioned a future for the UAE to be among the most
recognized countries in the world. He voiced his goal back in 2010, when he declared the UAE Jubilee Year,
2021, as the year the UAE Vision would be realized. The UAE Vision 2021 is a representation of six national
priorities which include: a cohesive society and preserved identity, a safe public and fair judiciary, a
competitive knowledge economy, world class healthcare, sustainable environment and infrastructure, and
most importantly, a first-rate education system.
As a response to this vision, he launched the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program (MBRSLP) in
2012 by Ministerial Decree No. 25. The MBRSLP is a joint venture between the Ministry of Education (MOE)
and the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in cooperation with the Prime Minister's office
of the UAE. It aims to raise the educational standards of the nation to meet international standards, while
setting new precedents in smart learning worldwide. The program presents a comprehensive approach
inclusive of students, teachers, parents, and principals to work collaboratively to build future leaders.
Similarly, the program works hand in hand with the vision of the Ministry of Education to ensure that the
education system is constantly evolving and up to date with global changes. The program integrates modern
technology and innovative teaching methodologies with traditional tools to transform the education system
into a dynamic and interactive learning experience for educators and students alike.

1.2 Challenge and response

UAE is one of the many nations seeking to reform and improve its educational system. During recent years,
the UAE has made advancements in providing quality education, however, significant challenges remain.
There is an urgent need to improve the educational achievement of students in UAE’s public schools in order
to make the education system one of the best in the world.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program was established to raise the level of the students’
educational achievements to meet and exceed international standards. The program offers multimode
integration of teaching by integrating technology and key stakeholders into the students’ educational
development. By using smart education solutions, teachers, classrooms, students, parents and principals are
equipped with the right tools to help them connect to each other, achieve an improved learning experience
and reach nationwide KPIs and targets.

2 The Project(s)

2.1 Vision and content

The vision behind this project is to create a cohesive, innovative nation valuing its cultural heritage in which
Emiratis will inclusively, skillfully and creatively shape the future of UAE. The program offers a modern way
of teaching through the integration of technology into the educational system.
Several world indices such as Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) and Program
for International Student Assessment along with national level indices such as the Arabic skills of secondary
school students and the quality of students have been used to support the UAE Vision 2021. The program
aims to address these indices by increasing the quality and outreach of education to ensure more students
receive better education by leveraging integrated technology into the improved curriculums. In addition, the
program is also aligned with the UAE Vision 2021, to become a knowledge-based economy through the
increased availability of information for both students and teachers.

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