HBMeU spearheads initiative to drive scientific research forward and influence policies in the Arab World

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and HBMeU President, three roundtable meetings titled "Policy and Strategy" were held yesterday on the sidelines of the Annual Congress 2011, which is organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, and held under the theme "Being at the Leading Edge – How to give Quest for Excellence a New Meaning".

The Annual Congress 2011, attended by intellectuals, researchers, experts and specialists from 56 countries, is organized in line with HBMeU's commitment to encourage scientific research, cultivate a culture of innovation, establish an integrated knowledge environment for individuals and institutions in the Arab World and help maintain a robust national economy. 

The three roundtable meetings discussed a number of important social, economic and environmental issues that have significant impact on communities and governments. The topics of the roundtable meetings were “Securing the future of education through online learning in the Arab World”; “Spreading a quality culture to enhance competitiveness in the Arab World – ‘Policies, strategies and the way forward’"; and “Crafting a policy agenda for health and environmental issues in the Arab World.” There were 220 research papers discussed during the Annual Congress as part of efforts to drive scientific research and enhance knowledge sharing in the Arab World. 

Commenting on the event, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMeU, said: "The Annual Congress has become an international platform for great intellectuals, scientists and organizations that are committed to enriching scientific knowledge in the Arab World. With the increased importance of scientific research in the pursuit of growth and development in the 21^st century, we have invited the most prominent regional and international researchers to discuss 220 research papers, including 37 from the UAE, that tackle issues related to quality, e-learning and e-health. One of the unique features of this event is the discussion of the papers in Arabic, as we believe that this will promote innovation and improve the level of scientific research in the Arab World, especially considering that research studies have always been limited to a certain foreign language. In this regard, HBMeU decided to be the first academic institution to launch scientific periodicals and research material in Arabic through the Annual Congress. This will encourage individuals to attain scientific and academic excellence and promote research in Arabic, our mother tongue of which we take pride, ultimately aiming to influence and help shape policies in the Arab World." 

"The Annual Congress focuses on three key areas – social, economic and the environment – with the aim to drive communities and governments towards adopting e-learning methodologies in reducing illiteracy in the Arab World. We also aim to help spread a culture of quality and cultivate competitiveness, in addition to helping create programs that will protect the environment and improve health. Moreover, we have introduced these discussion points in line with HBMeU's vision to build knowledge-based, integrated communities and to maintain the excellent state of the economy through the adoption of innovative and sustainable concepts," Al Awar added.      

HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.