HBMSU discusses establishment of an integrated learning approach in the Arab world during second regular meeting for academic year 2020/2021

31 March 2021 - His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and General Security in Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU), recently chaired the second regular meeting of the Board of Governors for the academic year 2020/2021. The meeting discussed the University’s unique learning approach that focuses on quality to enrich learners' knowledge and equip them with future skills that qualify them to compete globally and take the lead in the twenty-first century. Furthermore, it reviewed the pioneering efforts led by the University to deepen the concept of integrated learning, which aims to upgrade the specialized skills acquired and that are compatible with the changing needs of the labor market. This approach ensures the graduation of an efficient generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and future leaders.

During the meeting, H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim praised HBMSU’s initiative by addressing government entities, the business community, private companies, and banks in the UAE to learn about the specialized skills they are looking for in new graduates, which was widely welcomed by the concerned parties. He said: "At HBMSU, we are keen to deepen the concept of integrated learning, which is vital to the development of specialized skills, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in building skills and qualifying younger generations to enable them to contribute to building a "nation built with pride, progress, stability, and happiness."

“Our qualitative initiative is an advanced step towards integrating new graduates seamlessly into the labor market. It provides both government and private sectors with qualified human competencies to transform modern knowledge into tangible achievements that drive the country’s progress and development," H.E. added.

His Excellency continued: “We are committed to replacing the ‘incomplete learning’ approach in the Arab world and the Middle East region with the ‘integrated learning’ approach, based on our previous experience in equipping graduates with specialized knowledge in various scientific fields. They will have exceptional ability to apply the knowledge acquired efficiently in line with the ground realities within the labor market. This approach is inspired by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to enhance the ability of young people to optimally seize opportunities to create a better future for themselves and for future generations.”

H.E. concluded: “We look forward to the opportunities available before us to continue this journey of excellence in embracing, developing, and enabling creative minds, specialized talents and exceptional competencies to apply knowledge. These will be based on practical methods and advanced methodologies that ensure their contribution to the progress and development of not only the nation, but also the region.”

At the end of the meeting, the Board of Governors unanimously agreed on the importance of continuing efforts to establish an integrated learning approach that ensures the upgrading of the specialized skills of young people and include these skills within the outline of academic programs in various scientific degrees. This will enhance the ability of university graduates to bring added value to the labor market and will qualify them with knowledge, experience, and creativity to launch special projects that can play a role in advancing the ambitious development process in light of the ongoing preparations for the next 50 years.