Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education (AGFE) signed a strategic cooperation agreement to further enhance distance learning in Dubai’s private schools, as part of KHDA’s #InThisTogetherDubai campaign. As part of the campaign, educators, students and families work together to learn from best practices and find help during the distance learning period.

The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education will now provide an even greater access to their Young Thinkers Program as part of the agreement.

According to the agreement, which was digitally signed by Fatma Al Marri, CEO for the Development of Emirati Student Education Programs at KHDA and Rashid Al Ghurair, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education – the educational community in Dubai will be able to benefit from the resources and content provided for free by partners in the public and private sector.

His Excellency Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education said, “It is important to partner with authorities who are responsible for assuring quality teaching and learning in the UAE. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority is working hard to bring the most relevant local and international solutions to our students in Dubai. I am pleased to make sure that the Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Program, the first technology-based program in the Arab world to support Emirati and Arab youth in preparing for success after graduation will become part of the joint-solution in response to Covid-19. It is important that we work together and find solutions for the education and wellbeing of these students.”

The Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Program is a university and career readiness platform available to all Emirati and Arab students from Grade 10 to 12. The English and Arabic platform already has over 11,000 Emirati users, curating three learning experiences including a visuals-based psychometric tool to promote career exploration, bespoke online courses to promote soft skills development, and one-on-one advising to help students make well-informed decisions related to their education to employment journeys.

Fatma Al Marri noted, “We are all in this together and new challenges push us towards new opportunities to innovate and find solutions. Creating inspiring experiences for young learners through distance learning is the need of the hour and we know our schools and students are capable of overcoming every challenge. Through this campaign and initiative, we hope to reach more people and further empower learners with the right tools that can build on their experiences.”

Dubai is home to 208 private schools that offer 16 different curricula and host more than 295,000 students. Starting this Sunday, schools in Dubai have transitioned to distance learning in response to school closures due to COVID-19.