In line with its commitment to support the Dubai Smart City project, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU) launched new major ‘cloud’ initiatives during the one-day conference on the Cloud Campus which was held under the theme “Learning Just Got Social” at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. The conference included a panel session on ‘The End of Private Lesson with Media’ chaired by H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and Chairman of HBMeU's Board of Governors. During the conference the university demonstrated the initiatives, ‘Cloud Campus Prepaid Card’ and the ‘Microsoft Zone on Cloud Campus’.
The conference is of great significance as it offers an ideal platform to raise awareness among both the local community and media about the role of the Cloud Campus, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at providing high-quality e-learning services via social networking websites.
The first initiative, the ‘Cloud Campus Prepaid Card,’ is the first learning-oriented prepaid Cloud Campus Visa Card in the world. It is the result of cooperative efforts between HBMeU and Commercial Bank of Dubai and VISA. The new prepaid card targets learners between the ages of 8 and 18. The card can be used at any Visa transaction point in the world and online with parents having control on the spending limits. Learners and their parents can review e-reports about expenditure amounts at any time.
The innovative card offers a free Basic Service subscription to holders who can also avail of discounts in many youth-related retail stores, from bookstores and clothes shops to cinemas and coffee shops, among others. Learners will be eligible for these discounts as long as they are taking up a minimum number of lessons per month and gaining a minimum number of points. Those who score more points than the required minimum will be eligible for awards and prizes such as ‘Learner of the Month’ and ‘Learner of the Week.’ The card will be prepared and couriered by the bank to the learner directly.
The second initiative, the ‘Microsoft Zone on Cloud Campus,’ is a cooperative effort between HBMeU and Microsoft which will integrate the e-university’s Cloud Campus with Microsoft’s Cloud Office. It will benefit both learners and professors who will get free access to all learning materials as well as teaching tools. The initiative will also provide employment opportunities for young people and promote entrepreneurship across the Arab region. Moreover, Cloud Campus learners will be eligible for certification within the Microsoft Partners In Learning Network Portal and will be provided with a free Office 365 account on the Cloud.
HE Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim said: “The launch of the two initiatives is in line with our commitment to support the “Dubai Smart City” project launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and in accordance with the directions of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the President of HBMeU, to offer high-quality learning via social networking websites which have become increasingly popular among youths. The Cloud Campus initiatives reaffirm our continued endeavors to ensure the success of this method through facilitating direct access to high-quality learning sources. They form part of our efforts to offer the best solutions to develop the e-learning sector in the Arab World and provide learners with the needed tools to achieve scientific and academic excellence in various fields.”
Cloud Campus is a ground-breaking yet affordable social online learning program which delivers e-learning services to all segments of society via personal accounts on Google+, LinkedIn and Facebook. It is the result of a strategic partnership with Global Learning S.A.R.L., a specialist in modern learning methods and techniques. Participants have access to over 1,600 interactive online lessons in the fields of mathematics, sciences and IT for school students from first to twelfth grade, as well as business skill development for adults via 180 certified programs in Leadership, Communication, Marketing and Islamic Banking, among many others. Over 600 online lessons in the English language for all age groups are provided as well. Program benefits include Academic Support, Certification, and Multi-Screen Access.
