Learning to disseminate knowledge effectively

It's skills boost time for educators in the UAE.

To train teachers and develop curricula, the UAE and Australian education authorities yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The ceremony was attended by Mohammad Al Dhahiri, Director of Abu Dhabi Educational Zone (ADEZ), and Lynne Kosky, Minister of Education and Training for the State Government of Victoria, Australia.

Al Dhahiri said: "The MoU is aimed at enhancing the existing cooperation in the educational field and explore further possibilities of collaboration in several educational fields."

The agreement covers seven major fields: To provide training and professional development to teachers, principals and educational leaders, particularly in IT and English learning and teaching.

To develop and implement educational exchange programmes, scholarships and awards for teachers and senior education administrators and managers. To exchange information about evaluation, assessment and teaching methodology, as well as educational planning, technologies and researches.

The MoU also envisages working on curriculum development projects, exchange of experts to promote understanding of educational techniques, as well as promoting school programmes and student exchange programmes.

Al Dhahiri said exchange of visits between educational experts of the two countries started two years ago, when ADEZ's staff attended a two-month training course in Australia.

Commenting on her first visit to the UAE, Kosky said she was impressed by the development of education here and the focus of the authorities on vocational education and professional development of teachers and staff.

"The country has put in place a full system of education in a very short time with incredible results. I look forward to visiting more schools during my stay here," she added.

Learning better teaching methods
Seven major fields are covered in the agreement, including:
* Providing training, professional development to teachers, principals and educational leaders.

* Develop and implement educational exchange programmes, scholarships and awards for teachers and senior education administrators and managers.

* Exchange information about evaluation, assessment and teaching methodology, as well as educational planning, technologies and researches.

* Working on curriculum development projects, exchange of experts to promote understanding of educational techniques, as well as promoting school programmes and student exchange programmes.