Tuesday 7 May 2019

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation launches Madrassa Platform initiative

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, has launched the first phase of the Madrassa Platform initiative, which aims to provide educational support to 1,000 villages without access to the Internet.

The first beneficiary will be the Emirati-Jordanian camp in Mrajeeb Al Fhood, Jordan, in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC. Some 2,146 students from the camp will benefit from the educational sessions offered by the platform, supported by 139 professors.

The platform, which was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP, PM and Ruler of Dubai in February, will offer 5,000 e-sessions on science, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology from nursery level to 12th grade (roughly when students are 18 years old).

The initiative is also providing four services at the camp, including the School in a Bag service, the Madrassa Tablet, and a mobile broadcasting device.

Dr Waleed Al Ali, Director of the Madrassa Platform Initiative at the Foundation, said, "We have chosen to launch the initiative in remote areas not connected to the Internet, beginning with the Emirati-Jordan Mrajeeb Al Fhood Camp, in cooperation with the ERC. We will continue to reach out to 1,000 villages that are unable to access modern educational content."

He also noted that the foundation will add new content to the platform, including sessions on the Arabic language, computer science, engineering, programming, artificial intelligence and space science.

Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-General, said that the initiative reflects the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in creating innovative solutions and overcoming the challenges facing Arab communities, especially in the area of education.

"The initiative will reinforce the ERC’s efforts to support education and enable people suffering from dire economic conditions to continue learning," he added while noting that the initiative is being closely monitored by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC.