HBMSU Board of Governors urges university to continue local & global pioneering achievements

UAE, October 2, 2016 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University’s (HBMSU) Board of Governors has urged the university administrators to be relentless in their hard work in order to sustain HBMSU’s leadership among the top pioneers of smart learning and academic innovation and scientific research and excellence in the Middle East and the rest of the world. This is under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the University. The call was made during the Board’s first meeting for academic year 2016/2017 in which discussions revolved around the importance of training programs in professional development, the university’s achievements, partnerships, international participations, prestigious awards and appreciations, and its valuable contributions to the ‘2016 Year of Reading’ national initiative.

The Board also emphasized the need to develop customized professional training programs, saying that these support the government’s directives aimed at improving the country’s training process. The Board of Governors also looked into the impact of several programs including ‘Innovation Leadership in the Governmental Sector,’ ‘Smart Government Consultant,’ ‘Skills of the 21st Century Leader,’  ‘7 Stars customer service Diploma (4th generation standards),’ ‘4th generation for institutional excellence,’ and ‘Creativity in Entrepreneurship.’

H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police, General Security in Dubai, and Chairman of the University’s Board of Governors, headed the meeting. He pointed out that the continuous improvement of training programs reflects the university’s commitment to professional training and the Board’s keenness to work hard via proactive approach. Such endeavors follow the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and University President, to adopt the best practices in support of relentless efforts to make the university a global center of smart learning and scientific innovation. He praised the university’s relevant initiatives during the last academic year, which resulted in numerous achievements and successes such as the enhancement of learning experience at local, regional and global levels. 

The board members also reviewed HBMSU’s last year collaborative agreements with government and private entities in UAE, including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).  The partnerships aim to promote joint initiatives in spreading knowledge, scientific research, employment and organizational development and implementing training sessions and lectures on financial, strategic management, innovation and creativity.

The Board members praised the university’s international initiatives, including partnerships with UNESCO International Bureau of Education and The secretariat of the International Team for teachers, to implement Post Graduate Diploma program to design and update the curricula in the Arab World, and enhance the learning experience in the region for the establishment of a modern, excellent, and innovative educational system. 

Further, the Board looked into HBMSU initiatives launched according to the ‘2016 Year of Reading’ program of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President. The program is aimed at fostering a culture of knowledge and scientific excellence in the country. The members also highlighted other prominent initiatives launched to engage local community members, including ‘Hamdan Bin Mohammed initiative platform for smart social learning’ developed in collaboration with Starbucks; ‘Smart Book Club,’ which aims to give out cultural and scientific books to communities; and ‘Reading Knights Competition,’ which aims to encourage reading.

H.E. Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan said: “Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University prioritizes the establishment of partnerships between the government and private sectors in and outside of the UAE. Joint local and international efforts are key to promoting knowledge, driving smart learning, and modernizing and innovating the learning system to keep up in the 21st century. HBMSU is looking forward the contributing to government initiatives such as the ‘2016 Year of Reading,’ which aims to build an integrated and educated society based on knowledge and innovation, following the strategic goals of UAE Vision 2021.”

“The learning sector is currently witnessing an important stage of development and growth amidst accelerated technological developments. Advanced technologies are now major part of modern learning experience. HMBSU, as one of the UAE’s biggest learning organizations, is at the core of this smart learning. It pays to continue our efforts towards excellence and leadership according to best international practices and high global standards in terms of quality, flexibility and diversity,” he added.

H.E. concluded: “I am delighted to see the university’s global achievements. It has become a top choice among major institutions. In fact, a delegation from Toyota Communication Systems, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor, is scheduled to visit HBMSU to learn from its experience in the fields of smart and distance learning, scientific research, and virtual learning as well the university’s current and future projects.”