The Centre for Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) and learning company Pearson have signed a deal to set up the UAE Centre for Mobile Learning.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), the Cert and Pearson will also 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 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, said a statement.

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 deal 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.

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 John Fallon said: “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.”

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.

Dr Tayeb Kamali, group chief executive of Cert and vice chancellor of the HCT said the MoU 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. - TradeArabia News Service