ICDL’s
program on Social Networking Platforms and Online Security to be
camp’s key focus
UAE
– March 17, 2014 - Dubai
Educational Zone (DEZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with ICDL GCC Foundation, an organisation that promotes digital
skills and cyber safety across the Gulf region and Iraq, and the
National Academy for Research and Development (NARD) in Dubai, for
the launch of the first summer camp named as ‘Smart Summer 2014,’
that will be held for four weeks in early August 2014 from 3 to 28.
The MoU was signed
by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Eid Al Mansouri, Director of Dubai Educational
Zone, Jamil Ezzo, Director General of the ICDL Foundation, and Dr.
Najwa Diab, Chief Executive of NARD in a formal ceremony held at the
DEZ headquarters in Al Qusais. The event reflects the strategic
partnership between the three parties strengthened by a common goal,
which is to increase the awareness about information technology and
cyber safety.
Under the terms of
the MoU the summer camp will be held at the educational zone with the
main aim of keeping the youth busy and occupied during the summer
vacation with useful activities as well as learning technical skills
that will benefit them in their educational and personal lives. The
camp will also focus on imparting awareness and skills related to the
use of computer, Internet and modern smart devices along with the
proper use of social networking sites, in an effective, responsible,
ethical and secure manner. DEZ, ICDL GCC Foundation and NARD consider
it as their duty to protect young people from potential online risks
and as a service to the UAE’s strategy in promoting the process of
teaching and learning to keep pace with accelerated technological
development.
The Summer Camp will
focus on practical training, skills development and acquiring
mechanisms, which will help children in self-learning and research
with information and communication technology (ICT). The camp will
enable them to participate in productive activities in a
classroom-free environment away from school and equip them with the
skills to facilitate their engagement in the University environment.
The camp will help the youth with the development of social
relationships with their peers in a productive
educational-entertainment atmosphere.
“Social media and
mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets have become an
essential part of everyday life for our children. The safe use of the
Internet and the digital identification skills are some of the most
pressing issues that we, as responsible adults, have to emphasize on
children by educating them and raising awareness about correct and
optimum use of technology,” said H.E. Dr. Ahmad Eid Al Mansouri.
“Summer camp will give our children a useful and productive
opportunity to utilize some of their time in learning and
entertainment in a pleasant atmosphere provided by the camp.”
H.E. Dr. Mansouri
added: “The ICDL international programs implemented in the camp
will also contribute towards upgrading of the technical skills of the
involved students, which will help them become independent learners
and serious researchers in digital educational resources. The
participants will not only acquire more cyber awareness, new
technical skills and entertainment this summer, but they will also
obtain an internationally recognized certificate.”
Jamil Ezzo said: “We
are very happy with this partnership, which will help in the efforts
to raise awareness on online safety and the correct, effective, and
responsible usage of social media by the students of public schools
in Dubai. Social media platforms and smart devices have become part
of our children’s daily life and have their advantages,
disadvantages and risks. Youth, generally, are active on these
platforms without any adult supervision and guidance, and we will
work hand in hand with the officials of the DEZ and the NARD to
create a distinctive success-story through this project on summer of
2014.”
“NARD is pleased
to launch this 2014 summer camp initiative with DEZ and ICDL GCC
Foundation. All the necessary preparations have been completed
according to the highest professional standards in order to provide
the best programs and events for the participants, and of course all
the conditions are met to ensure the safety and security of the
participating students,” said Dr. Najwa Diab.
She further added:
“The camp is created to recognize the importance of training and
investment in the development of human brains’ capacity. We believe
in the need to educate the younger generation in keeping pace with
modern developments and to prepare a smart generation of the future,
which is capable of understanding and acknowledging modern
technology. The camp falls in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister
and Ruler of Dubai, to shift towards a smart government and smart
cities, which will ultimately lead to smart societies. We must,
therefore, prepare a smart and creative generation to lead and manage
this shift.”
She concluded:
“There is no doubt that the summer camp is an essential element of
modern education that integrates entertainment and recreation for the
students with useful and important information that expand their
horizons, refine and develop their talents and knowledge, and support
the spirit of self-reliance and personal independence."
