CERT and Pearson work together to create a digital learning environment for Higher Colleges of Technology students.
Dubai, UAE: The Centre for Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) and the world’s largest learning company, Pearson have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the UAE Centre for Mobile Learning and provide technology, course design and faculty development services to UAE federal higher education institutions and the wider market.
CERT is the commercial, research and training arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the UAE’s largest higher education institution with approximately 20,000 male and female students attending 17 campuses around the country.
The first of many projects initiated under the proposed partnership will help to enhance the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) as one of the most digitally advanced institutions in the region. It is proposed under the MOU that over 7,000 of HCT’s Foundation Year students, and a similar number of Degree Programme students, will benefit from outcomes-focused mobile and blended learning solutions. Further proposals under the MOU include Personalised and Adaptive Learning technology being implemented at the institution, providing students with highly interactive, customised mobile learning and digital content solutions. There are also plans for Pearson to work with HCT faculty to develop digital capacity and apply world’s best practice in data-driven, blended learning instruction, ensuring the successful implementation and utilisation of the new technology.
Under the Memorandum, the parties envisage that HCT students will join more than 11 million tertiary learners from around the world in using Pearson’s personalised instructional technology and digital learning content. The proposed arrangement will give the HCT students access to personalised study plans, assessment tools, multi-media resources and student activities, all designed to enhance learning and achieve improved educational outcomes.
Pearson’s CEO, Mr John Fallon, visited Abu Dhabi to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Pearson and CERT. Mr Fallon said the mobile learning programmes proposed for HCT have proven to be effective in improving student results in a diverse range of learning environments all around the world.
“Simply putting a laptop or a tablet in a student’s hands does not automatically lead to improved learning outcomes. Pearson’s learning experts have worked hard to ensure all the digital learning solutions we offer to HCT students, or anywhere in the world, meet the highest standards of quality and are able to demonstrate tangible benefits in improving a student’s learning experience and capacity to learn. We believe this efficacy-based approach to education reform projects like HCT’s is the best way to ensure that students learning needs are being met for the long term”.
Mr Fallon signed the MOU with HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali. Mr Fallon also used his visit to Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to meet with H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister for Culture and Youth, to further illustrate Pearson’s unwavering commitment to education in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, and to extend Pearson’s gratitude to the UAE Government for its ongoing commitment to the HCT project.
Mr Fallon said the advancements made by the UAE in education, and the UAE Government’s investment in e-learning will have a valuable impact on the future of the country’s students.
“HCT is aiming to become one of the premier digitally enabled post-secondary institutions in the region, and Pearson is delighted to be a part of such an exciting initiative. By equipping its students with first class digital learning technology, HCT is giving its students the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in the world and help the UAE to grow successfully. At Pearson, we have an “Always Learning” philosophy of providing learners of all ages and all abilities with the educational products and services they need to realise their potential and fulfil their educational goals. HCT is a valuable partner in achieving that goal here in the Arab world”.
Dr Tayeb Kamali, Group Chief Executive of CERT, and Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology welcomed the MOU with a world-leading organisation in Pearson, saying it highlighted CERT’s and the HCT’s ongoing mobile learning strategies designed to provide the best technology for HCT students.
“All HCT students learn in a technologically sophisticated environment, which includes the integration of wireless e-learning facilities, mobile technologies and other resources which all engage our students while enhancing their learning experiences by providing anywhere, anytime learning opportunities,” Dr Kamali said.
“This partnership with Pearson will enhance the HCT’s emphasis on student-centered, hands-on, technology-focused and work place relevant teaching practices which facilitate the development of our students as graduates who are able to fully operate in today’s technology-driven world,” he added.
About Pearson:
Pearson is the world’s largest learning company, operating in more than 80 countries around the world, bringing powerful learning solutions to millions of learners every year. Pearson takes learning personally. Our courses and resources are available in print, online and through multi-lingual packages, helping people learn whatever, wherever and however they choose. Our education imprints combine 150 years of experience and include online support for every learner. Our innovative and dynamic digital learning products and services are changing the learning landscape all around the globe and our qualifications are positively transforming the futures of learners of all ages and backgrounds. Pearson can boast a comprehensive English Language offering that consists of engaging content and cutting edge testing solutions. To find out more, visit www.pearson.com.
About the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT):
Founded in 1988 with four colleges, the Higher Colleges of Technology have grown to be the largest of the higher educational institutions in the UAE, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning. About 20,000 students attend 17 modern men’s and women’s campuses in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and the western region cities of Madinat Zayed and Ruwais.
HCT offers a wide range of English-taught programmes in the Faculties of Business, Education & General Studies, Engineering Technology & Sciences, Foundations, Health Sciences, Arabic & Emirati Studies and Computer Information Sciences & Applied Communications. These programmes are all relevant to the UAE’s fast growing and evolving economic sectors. All programmes and courses are designed in consultation with business and industry leaders to ensure that the skills students learn are job-relevant and to high standards. They are constantly monitored to ensure they are at the cutting edge of industry standards and technological change. Visit www.hct.ac.ae.
ABOUT CERT:
The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT) is the commercial, research and training arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), which is the largest higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates.
Since its creation in 1996, CERT has grown to be one of the largest private education providers in the Middle East and has become synonymous with quality in education, training, research, and socioeconomic progress. CERT is also one of the largest MENA (Middle East North Africa) investors in the discovery and commercialization of technology.
The CERT Group of Companies leverages unique relationships with global leaders in education and business to provide a wide range of educational, applied research, training and consulting services to government, private sector institutions and businesses in the UAE and the region at large.
The Centre is involved in strategic alliances with a number of multinational organizations to collaborate in developing a diverse range of business and technology solutions. As a result, CERT has helped thousands of professionals and companies meet their goals and achieve the next level in their development. Its strong ties with business and industry have resulted in large numbers of HCT graduates finding rewarding employment.