Dubai special needs centre gets wifi connectivity
Dubai, July 8, 2014
The Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs has deployed a new campus-wide wifi network aimed at connecting teachers and students with the centre’s digital learning platforms.
Rolled out by Huawei and Enterprise Systems, the programme was subsidised as part of a mutual corporate responsibility programme, said a statement.
The teachers and students will now be able to access more advance learning tools and platforms including a range of multimedia applications available on smart phones and tablet devices, it said.
The lack of consistent wireless connectivity had in the past proved a challenge for teachers who were not able to access online multimedia applications that formed part of their teaching syllabus for their students with learning disabilities.
Engaging students through the use of new generation smart devices including media tablets in the classroom was also limited as connectivity was only available in just a few hot spot areas.
Isphara Al Khatib, director of Al Noor Training Centre, said: “We are thrilled with this new development at our training centre. It was long overdue. This is to allow our Assistive Technology Programme to be taken to the next level. It will make a huge difference to what we can offer our students.”
A select group of computer science final year students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) at the Dubai campus helped to implement the wifi network as part of a wider initiative to provide more hands-on experience for university students.
Dr Saoud Al Mulla, director, HCT Dubai College, said: “It is imperative that our students learn how things work in the real world and the ‘learning by doing’ project gave them that opportunity. Crucially, it was also an important service to the community.”
HCT students attended a training workshop that allowed them to successfully install 42 wifi access points that covered both indoor and outdoor areas.
Sufian Dweik, vice president, Huawei, said: “This latest co-operation with the Al Noor Training Center delivers a seamless connection experience to the school, working well with all legacy infrastructure and giving over 500 users access to high-bandwidth applications and learning tools at any given time.”
The Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs is part of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and first opened its doors in Dubai in 1981.
Starting with only eight children, the centre today welcomes 300 children and is dedicated to providing individuals with special needs opportunities through professional training and care to realise their potential within the wider community. - TradeArabia News Service
