UAE Signs MoU to Roll Out ‘Safety Smart' Schools Programme

08 June 2014 (Abu Dhabi, UAE): The United Arab Emirates is launching an initiative in schools nationwide to improve children’s awareness and understanding of safety, health, sustainability and environmental issues.

The UAE Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Underwriters Laboratories to roll out its Safety Smart® programme in classrooms. UAE students aged between 6 and 14 will be able to participate in the global educational programme. The MoU also aims to qualify educators as programme ambassadors to spread awareness among students and develop their safety now and in the future. The new programme is aligned with the UAE government’s strategy towards human development and welfare of its citizens.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Marwan Ahmad Al Sawaleh, Assistant Undersecretary for the Supporting Services; Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior; Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razak Obaidli, Major General Dr. Abdul Quddous Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidly, Director General of Total Quality at Dubai Police and Chairman of Emirates Intellectual Property Association and Barbara Guthrie, Vice President & Chief Public Safety Officer at Underwriters Laboratories.

His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior witnessed the MoU signing at the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. The ceremony involved the Ministries of Interior and Education, as well as the Emirates Association for Intellectual Property and Underwriters Laboratories.

His Highness said: "The ministry of interior is keen to strengthen the system of public safety and spread the culture of safety and security across the UAE. The Safety Smart® programme is aligned with the goals and mission of the Ministry's strategy, aimed at raising a new generation of students who are aware of the best and most important safety tips and practices."

His Highness commended the individuals and institutions that aspire to develop the educational community in the UAE. He said: “Nations progress through the possession of proper education and knowledge…”
His Highness went on to praise the performance of the parties and organisations involved in this MoU, while emphasizing the key role the private sector is playing through these initiatives. “We hope that our students receive high quality education in educational institutions that are on par with international standards, in order to build our nation and bolster its achievements.”

Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, UAE Minister of Education also attended the MoU signing.
 
“In line with the Ministry’s Strategy 2010/2020 to develop education, students are the core of all our initiatives. The Ministry continues to reinforce awareness of health and safety, both in the school environment and beyond. The Ministry spares no effort in honing students’ health-related skills and developing their safe practices,” the minister said.

“The MoU carries great significance. It is in complete harmony with our plan to qualify and train teachers on the programme to efficiently undertake their role in raising a generation fully aware of the best health, safety and environmental practices,” said Al Qatami.

Commenting on the involvement of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA), Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razak Obaidli said, “The involvement of EIPA in such initiatives emphasises the ongoing efforts and the key role the country is playing in protecting intellectual property rights, and it raises awareness about such systems among all segments of society.

“The application of intellectual property rights will play an important role in encouraging intellectual creativity, and educational participation amongst individuals, in addition to respecting the individual’s creativity and protecting it against illegal violations. Such systems will aid in developing the standard of the educational services, teaching programmes and tools, while creating a secure environment, one that follows a globally-recognised standards," Al Obaidli added.

 “We are very pleased to join forces with both the Interior and Education Ministries to take our Safety Smart® programme to higher levels, including the qualification of teachers to act as the programme’s ambassadors. Teachers will play a major role in spreading proper health and safety instructions in all UAE schools through the various curricular activities,” said Barbara Guthrie, Vice President & Chief Public Safety Officer at Underwriters Laboratories.

“Underwriters Laboratories’ mission is to help create a safer world as each child in the UAE and elsewhere deserves to get the chance to further his or her knowledge about safety and sustainable healthy living. This helps them, together with their families and surrounding community, to lead a bright, productive future. We are proud to cooperate with our partners in the UAE to broaden the awareness programme across the country,” added Guthrie.

The MoU signing was attended by Amal Mohammed Al Kous, Assistant Undersecretary for the School Environment and Activities Sector at the Ministry of Education, Brigadier Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Director General of the Headquarters Affairs at Abu Dhabi Police, and Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of School Operations at Abu Dhabi Education Council.  In addition to a number of high-profile officials and senior officers, including His Excellency Jawaan Awaidha Suhail Al Khaili, Chairman of Brighton College School, members of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program “Aqdar”, a representative from the International Criminal Police Organization-INTERPOL, and a representative from the Walt Disney company, as well as members of the two administrative and educational bodies at Brighton College school.

The Safety Smart® programme is active in more than 25 countries around the world and has contributed to raising awareness about safety, health and environmental issues among more than 518 million students and households.

The programme’s ‘Total Commitment to Safety’ educational kit and teaching tools have been developed by Underwriters Laboratories in more than 35 languages, in cooperation with Disney Educational Productions.