General News, The Leader - 18 September, 2017

Mohammed bin Rashid launches Arabic E-Learning Project

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic E-Learning Project, which includes a Translation Challenge, which aims to translate 11 million words and terminology of math and science into Arabic.

The Translation Challenge calls on all Arabs to help translate 5,000 videos and 11 million words of world-class math and science material to Arabic, to be available online for free, for over 50 million Arab students from kindergarten to grade 12. The content is to be sourced and localised in accordance with the highest international standards and curricula.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic E-Learning Project is part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, MBRGI. It is an online initiative that seeks to lay the foundation of a new knowledge base, and to establish the future of science and math excellence among Arab students.

During the lunch, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, "Providing high quality education in science and math to all Arab students is an integral to rebooting our civilisational development, eLearning is the fastest way to bridge the educational gap in the Arab world."

"We have challenged all Arabs to help translate 11 million words in order to produce 5,000 educational videos in one year; we urge anyone interested to participate in this important ongoing cultural project," Sheikh Mohammed added.

His Highness elaborated, "Our goal is to provide high standard academic material in science and maths to all Arab students; this project is the first step in a long journey to improve education in the Arab world, and make it accessible to millions of Arab students. Translation is the foundation of a cultural renaissance, and opens the doors to intellectual enlightenment."

"The reality of the education system in the Arab world may be disappointing, however today we light a candle of hope. I believe in the unbound potential of Arab students when they have access to the necessary resources, tools and material to excel." Sheikh Mohammed said.

The event was attended by Dubai Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of Emirates Group His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,  Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Future and Secretary General of the MBRGI Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi.