Posted on

‘Champions of Tomorrow’ and ‘Creative Program’ Campaigns

Abu Dhabi Education Council awards winners of Event attended by senior officials, winners & participants & their parents
Abu Dhabi, May 16th 2017- The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) recently concluded its extracurricular activities for the academic year 2016-2017, following the completion of a series of contests and competitions under its ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ and ‘Creative Program’ campaigns.
The initiative falls in line with the Council’s continuous effort and commitment to encourage students to participate in various scientific, cultural, artistic and sport activities with the aim to adopt and develop new talents as well as build their competitiveness and excellence.
The ceremony was held in the presence of many senior officials and was attended by winning students, participants and their parents.
During the event, the participating students were commended for showcasing their cultural and artistic talents and excelling in sports. Gold, silver, and bronze medals along with other prizes were given for the first, second and third places, respectively.
The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative attracted the participation of 75 per cent of ADEC students, giving a tremendous boost to the local education system and developing talents according to the highest international standards and practices. The contests established a spirit of competitiveness and excellence among students in various fields, including science, sports, art and culture. On the other hand, the ‘Creative Program’ is an ideal platform to discover the promising talents that can compete in international events. The program has registered 2593 participants from the school year 2016-2017, with an increase of 1503 students compared to last year; 20 per cent of which are from scientific programs, while the art and music programs attracted 30 per cent of students.
Abu Dhabi Region
H.E. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of School Operations, ADEC, expressed his delight in the increased participation of students in the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ and ‘Creative Program’ initiative. He stated that it reflects a great momentum and a high capability to achieve leadership and excellence at the intellectual, scientific, cultural and athletic level. He also mentioned the remarkable success of this current edition of extracurricular activities in emphasizing social and national participation, enhancing the culture of innovation and excellence for the upcoming generation, and boosting the creative abilities in various sectors that will raise the UAE’s name across the world.
Mr. Al Dhahiri added: “The ‘Creative Program’ is an important milestone in the process of promoting leadership among students while improving their scientific and creative thinking. This is in line with ADEC’s strategic vision to develop the local education system and strengthen student competencies, while benefiting the local and international community.
“The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign reflects the central role of the program in spreading a culture of physical education to uphold the UAE’s position in regional and international sports events. These successes will help us develop the activities, initiatives and competitions aimed at unleashing creative capacities and skills of youth while providing them with knowledge and competencies with emphasis on social and cultural development in accordance to the strategic objectives of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.”
Al Ain Region
The selection of the winning schools was conducted for each educational seminar separately, based on the total score in accordance with the criteria set by the jury. The total number of selected schools were 18 each in Abu Dhabi, the Al Ain Region and the Al Dafrah Region. 


Posted on

Amanda Collins, Pearson’s Director of School Services in the Middle East, believes Professional Development for Teachers is Essential to Raising Standard of UAE Schools

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 30th, 2016 – A recent article in the UAE’s National newspaper reported that over 20,000 students in Abu Dhabi are currently enrolled in schools deemed as weak or very weak by school inspectors.
The figure was released by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) following the first round of school inspections that have been conducted as part of the new UAE School Inspection Framework. So far in 2016, 41 schools across Abu Dhabi have been inspected, with 19 schools being categorised by the new reporting structure as either “weak” or “very weak”. The good news is that two schools have fallen into the “outstanding” category and eight schools classed as either “good” or “very” good.
The UAE Ministry of Education launched the new School Inspection Framework in 2015 to unify the various school standard systems that had previously been in place across the seven Emirates. Under the Framework, schools are assessed against a number of criteria, including student achievement, personal and social development of students, teaching and assessment, curriculum, protection, care, guidance and support of students, and leadership and management. Schools are ranked into six categories: outstanding, very good, good, acceptable, weak and very weak.
A school’s performance against the Framework is linked to whether ADEC grants permission for that school to increase its fees. ADEC recently released figures showing that out of the 90 schools requesting a fee increase for the 2016-2017 academic year, 39 applications were rejected, suggesting a significant percentage of schools were not meeting basic Framework criteria.
The launch of the new system is no doubt a step in the right direction when it comes to understanding the quality of teaching and learning taking place in the UAE, with identification of issues the first step in building a strong, future-proof education system.
The real question is what do we do with this information? How can we use the valuable data collected from school inspections to shape positive reforms that will have a positive impact on both teachers and their students?
The report ADEC released following the first round of inspections noted that of the 19 schools falling into the “weak” or “very weak” category, 14 have failed to improve over the past three inspections. This is troublesome, as it suggests that despite the deficiencies being identified in schools, little progress is being made in redressing these issues.
The inspections in Abu Dhabi have shown that many of the greatest challenges facing our schools relate to the quantity and quality of available teaching staff. ADEC reported that September to December 2016 saw a turnover rate of teachers of 20% in Abu Dhabi schools. Absenteeism has been cited as a major issue, with the National newspaper also reporting a high number of teachers failing to turn up to class.  Anecdotal evidence suggests several reasons for high rates of absenteeism amongst teachers, including unsustainable workloads and a lack of knowledge about new reporting and compliance obligations. Recent media articles have suggested that as well as long work hours, high levels of stress are leading to “scores” of teachers in the UAE resigning.
Ongoing training and professional development for educators must therefore be at the heart of any solution to the main challenges being experienced within our schools. Those schools that rate highly on the new School Inspection Framework all enjoy strong and effective leadership – but the strong leadership exhibited in these high performing schools is no accident. Effective school leadership requires an ongoing commitment to professional learning and development on behalf of school principals and others within the school leadership team. Senior educators in our schools need to be constantly updated with the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to deal with the complex challenges impacting modern school environments. Importantly, they must also be well equipped to guide the wider school community through changes to curriculum, assessment and reporting.
As already mentioned, absenteeism and high turnover of teachers can be, at least in part, explained by teachers feeling overwhelmed by new regulations and ill-equipped to deal with the multitude of other complex challenges facing today’s educators. Professional Development that specifically helps teachers and school leaders to implement reforms that will help improve their school’s performance during inspections is essential – with emphasis on improving learner outcomes all important. Schools need to be supported in their efforts to keep good staff. Increased pay for teachers as an incentive to stay is not always a sustainable option, but increased and improved Professional Development is. And while many school leaders are reluctant to invest in staff training for fear that if teachers leave it will be a waste of money, these leaders need to realise that it is often this investment in teachers that encourages them to stay, and give their best to a school.
Many weak schools are unaware of how to effectively use data to improve school performance and classroom instruction. Technology is often heralded as a panacea to fixing major education issues. But too often technology is unfortunately viewed by teachers as more of a hindrance than a help – largely due to technology being implemented without the training and support necessary to ensure it is used effectively. The result is teachers feeling burdened rather than empowered by technology – resenting its introduction and failing to exploit its potential as a way of making the teaching, assessment and reporting process more efficient and effective. We need to take steps to ensure data and technology are used optimally, benefiting school performance rather than hindering it. One of the easiest ways of achieving this is making the relevant training more effective and accessible.
So, in short, there are some important lessons that we can take from the findings of the first round of school inspections conducted under the new Framework. Giving educators and school leaders the tools, confidence and capabilities to address the issues being picked up will help us to build a robust school system. This is essential for ensuring each and every learner in the UAE is being given the best chance of meeting their potential in a schools that comply with the Ministry of Education’s new standards. 


Posted on

Champions of Tomorrow 2015, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Education Council concludes ‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ with the participation of 84,244 students
  
·       Initiative held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
·       18 schools honored with ‘Shield of Excellence 2015,’ while six were declared Sports Day 2015 winners
·       180 students and 72 teachers from 18 schools & 24 principals received ‘Excellence Shield 2015’ award
·       24 physical education teachers from six schools recognized for nurturing students’ athletic skills as part of preparation for Sports Day 2015
Abu Dhabi, May 18, 2015 – The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) concluded the ‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ initiative today, (May 18th 2015), which involved a series of sports competitions for top student athletes across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
A special awarding ceremony was held at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to honor the winners as well as the participating schools and teachers. The much-praised competitions displayed the skills and strong performance of 84,244 students from across the UAE.
Her Excellency Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General at ADEC, said: “We thank all those who contributed to ensure the success of this year’s campaign, from ADEC members to students, parents, faculty members and all administrative staff of participating schools. We also extend our appreciation to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council whose support greatly helped us achieve the goals of the initiative. The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ represents the visions of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the Chairman of ADEC, in terms of human capacity development to build a generation capable of securing Abu Dhabi’s global leadership and making the capital city an influential force in the world stage.”
“The positive results of ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ boost our aspirations to discover new young talents who will join our national teams in raising the Emirates flag in international sporting events. The campaign successfully reached more than 50 per cent of public school students in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. We are planning to include private schools in our future editions as we continue our efforts to discover more promising athletes, teach them the Olympic principles, and prepare them for international competitions. These form part of ADEC’s vision of developing the education system to produce a generation that can compete globally,” said Dr. Al Qubaisi.
H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The ADEC-organized ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative was held in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Staging the competitions reflects our support for the Abu Dhabi Government’s efforts to implement programs that encourage physical activities, contribute to the development of sports programs within academic institutions and support the sports sector through training of the country’s future professional athletes.”    
“The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is keen on developing scientific programs to discover new recruits and prepare and revitalize the entire sports industry by coordinating with concerned education entities. Additionally, we support programs and sports competitions that serve the aspirations of all segments of society such as the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative, which plays an important role in developing sports at the school level in Abu Dhabi. ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ also prepares and trains the young generation in accordance with our sports agenda,” Mr. Al Awani added. 
A total of 24 schools were honored during the ceremony, 18 of which won the ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ while six were recognized for winning at Sports Day 2015.  Other recipients of the ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ award included 180 students, 72 teachers from 18 academic institutions, and school principals. In addition, 24 physical education teachers from six schools were honored for their untiring efforts in nurturing the athletic skills of young students to help them deliver an excellent performance during Sports Day 2015. This year’s Sports Day featured a host of events aimed at building a new generation that possesses leadership and social skills and is actively involved in sports and other physical activities. 

The ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ awardees included the Al Tamouh School; Al Shahama School; Khalid Bin Al Walid School; Al Nokhba School; Al Houtayn School; Khalifa Bin Zayed School; Bayaat Al Radwan School; Salama Bint Butti School; Almregib School; Hamouda Bin Ali School; Al Saqour School; Al Jahili School; Al Tafawok School; Al Ain School; Al Mottahid School; and Al Ghaith School.
‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ promoted sports awareness among students, activated the role of schools in nurturing the skills of young athletes, and provided an ideal platform to achieve excellence at local, regional and international levels. Among its most notable activities were Sports Day, which attracted 140,000 participants from across the UAE; the Abu Dhabi Education Council Marathon, which witnessed the participation of 3,000 students at Yas Marina Circuit; and the Beach Festival 2015, which brought together 140 high school students. The campaign’s sports competitions were held in three categories, namely the ‘Mandatory Games’ (football, athletics), the ‘Individual Games’ (swimming, gymnastics, fencing, judo), and the ‘Complementary Games (handball, basketball and volleyball). 


Posted on

The Abu Dhabi Education Marathon Kicks Off at Yas Marina Circuit with 3,000 Students Participating

Abu Dhabi, February 28, 2015 – In the presence of H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Mr. Aref Al Awani Abu Dhabi Sport Council General Secretary, over 3,000 students from Cycle 1 and Cycle 3 schools took part in the Abu Dhabi Education Marathon, as part of ADEC’s Champions of Tomorrow campaign.
The marathon, which was hosted at the Yas Marina Circuit, aims to instill a culture of sports among students and develop a pool of top athletes capable of representing and honoring the UAE in regional and international athletic tournaments.

Her Excellency said: “The marathon is an important event that will help drive the success of the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign since it represents ADEC’s commitment to providing national teams with talented athletes who will help raise the UAE flag in regional and international sport forums. The wide turnout of the marathon reflects the confidence schools have in the education reform, which continues to add quality initiatives that help support development and competitiveness.”
Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, ADEC’s School Operations Executive Director, added: “The Abu Dhabi Education Marathon is an important addition to our tireless efforts to foster a favorable environment for sports in schools which can help identify and encourage promising talents that can support our national Olympic teams. The broad participation of students and parents along with the educational and social community reflects the effectiveness of this initiative in creating a positive impact in the development of sports across schools in accordance with the highest standards of excellence and professionalism.”
“We are proud of what has been achieved by students who participated in the Abu Dhabi Education Marathon. In line with the vision and directives of our leadership, we are committed to provide the necessary support for the outstanding talents and pave their way to attain the highest quality achievements in the local and the international sporting arenas in the future,” concluded Mr. Al Dhaheri.
The marathon featured a highly competitive field of students aged eight to ten years old for the 1 km run. The second race spanned a distance of 3 km, while students enthusiastically completed the third segment’s 5-km length.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit said: “We are delighted to welcome so many budding young athletes to the circuit today.  We work very closely with the local community encouraging all to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle and it is particularly important to see the next generation taking part in sports with such enthusiasm.  Our partnership with ADEC to host this inaugural ADEC Schools Marathon is a great honor for us and we are pleased to be supporting the UAE Government¹s initiative to build a generation of talented athletes.”
Salem Al Odd and Hamda Khaled won first place in the 1K race, while Hazaah Souud and Taif Al Jesmi topped the marathon’s 3K race and Khalif Al Nasri headed the 5K run.
The marathon was not limited to students of Abu Dhabi schools only, but also included an ‘Open Race’ comprising parents, administrative faculty, staff members, and employees from ADEC along with the local community. Moreover, there were other activities conducted within the marathon, including a free art stand, heritage village, challenging games,  walking  the circuit, and Jiu-Jitsu.
ADEC continues to launch quality initiatives under the umbrella of the Champions of Tomorrow campaign, which aims to promote awareness about the importance of sports among schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. It also seeks to encourage schools to be more responsible in nurturing sports talents and in establishing it internationally.
The campaign includes a series of sports competitions which will be held in four categories, namely, Mandatory Games (football and athletics), Individual Games (swimming, gymnastics, fencing and judo), Complementary Games (handball, basketball and volleyball), and Competitions and Special events such as racing, cycling, and a beach festival.
-ends-
About Abu Dhabi Education Council:
Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) was established in accordance with law No. 24 of 2005, issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Chairman of ADEC is H.H. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the Vice-Chairman is H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Council seeks to develop education and educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, implement innovative educational policies, plans and programs that aim to improve education, and support educational institutions and staff to achieve the objectives of national development in accordance with the highest international standards.
###
For more information about ADEC please call its headquarters at +971 (2) 6150 000 or visit our website:
About Yas Marina Circuit:
Yas Marina Circuit is the United Arab Emirates’ most exciting sporting and entertainment multi-purpose venue.  Located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the circuit is home to the annual FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX and much more.  In addition to the extensive year-round program of professional and grassroots motorsport events and experiences including Dragand Yas Track Nights, the circuit has emerged as a thriving hub for entertainment and community events in the UAE. As the region’s most technologically advanced facility, the circuit is also a leading MICEvenue, regularly hosting a diverse range of corporate meetings, conferences and events.  Whether you want to experience the thrill of karting at our Kartzone, driving an Aston Martin GT4 at over 200km/hour on an F1 circuit, work towards your racing license at the Yas Racing School, get fit at TrainYasor GoYas, participate in one of our many sporting events, or simply catch up with friends at Yas Central, Yas Marina Circuit truly is The Meeting Place of Champions.


Posted on

Around 140,000 Participants Expected to Take Part in the Event, Which Takes Place February 18th 2015

ADEC organizes sports day to encourage students and the wider community to maintain healthy fit lifestyle habits
  
UAE, February 15, 2015 – The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has completed preparations for the launch of ‘Sports Day’ activities scheduled to take part on February 18th 2015 in efforts to raise awareness on the importance of sports, while maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
The event includes a series of sporting activities which will take place simultaneously across Abu Dhabi’s public schools with around 140,000 participants expected. It is intended to remove stress, promote physical fitness, and help people achieve self-fulfillment.
Sports Day targets students, faculty and administrative members, parents, and employees from ADEC’s regional offices.
Sports Day is a special project affiliated with the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign which seeks to transform schools into a sports-friendly environment, while encouraging Abu Dhabi and the UAE to become part of the international sports scene.
Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, ADEC’s School Operations Executive Director said that the ADEC took part in this initiative to emphasize the importance of sports in improving mental and physical health and supporting a healthy lifestyle. He pointed out that the initiative promotes fair competition and teamwork skills, important physical education concepts, as well as strengthens the bond among parents, school officials, and ADEC.
He further explained that ADEC is the first public entity to develop and implement ‘hiking trails’ within its institutional facilities, and added that the move encourages interactivity as part of a person’s daily lifestyle.
“Sports Day is a pioneering initiative that meets ADEC’s high standards and supports Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE in becoming healthy and productive. Through this event we aim to encourage behaviors that have a positive impact on the community, education, employment and that help promote greater human capital, which is a pillar for achieving a comprehensive and balanced development,” said Mr. Al Dhaheri. 


Posted on

ALHOSN University’s Business, MIS & Urban Planning Degree Programs Receive Full Accreditation from Ministry of Higher Education

World-class education vital to pursuing successful careers
Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 20, 2012 – ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education, constantly emphasizes the importance of world-class education in ensuring fruitful careers amidst today’s highly competitive job markets. The university encourages students to make sure that the educational institutions they join are fully accredited at the Ministerial level and offer programs that complement current market needs.

ALHOSN’s own curricula are based on North American higher education models, with all academic programs accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Five programs recently received full accreditation: Business Administration, Accounting, Management Information Systems, and Urban Planning in addition to the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program. These form part of a wide range of ALHOSN programs in Business, Engineering, and Education that are drawing strong interest from prospective students and their parents who are also attracted to ALHOSN’s promise of ‘global knowledge with local vision’ and holistic approach to education.
“An education is not enough to secure a good career given today’s evolving business environments. Graduates from universities with solid, fully accredited and market-specific programs have the best chance to prosper professionally. Moreover, employers look for extra traits such as community awareness and patriotism from candidates. At ALHOSN we make sure that our wards receive world-class education and are sensitive to the conditions and needs of their respective communities. We believe that personal and professional development go hand-in-hand in molding a successful citizen,” said Prof. Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO, ALHOSN University.
Named after Abu Dhabi’s historic ALHOSN Palace, ALHOSN University was founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company in response to growing local demand for high-quality, value-based educational institutions. It currently offers 12 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences. ALHOSN accepts students of all nationalities and also accommodates youths with special needs.
– ends –
About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.