His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, today visited Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai (RIT Dubai), a leading American university wholly-owned by Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and located at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park. He was welcomed by Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA, in the presence of  Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Operations and Client Affairs at DSOA, Humaid Sultan Mutaiwee, Executive Director of Dubai Government Workshop, Dr Yousef Al-Assaf, President of RIT Dubai, and Dr Mohamed Yousif Baniyas, Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education.

Integrating the educational system and the workplace

During his tour, His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi was introduced to the innovative education solutions and cutting-edge technologies implemented at the Dubai campus of the renowned New York-based educational institution.

He noted that the first step towards forecasting the future is providing an integrated educational ecosystem, from elementary school through to university, which would create a working environment that is built on competitiveness and innovation.

He commended the joint efforts of research and education institutions, in the public and private sectors alike, across industries, to promote sustainable best practices and cutting-edge educational methods with a focus on serving the National Agenda 2021. He reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to empower students and create a culture of competitiveness and innovation, specifically in the field of futuristic science, which will enhance the nations position regionally and internationally.

His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi was also about the new RIT Dubai campus, announced by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DSOA earlier this year. Taking shape across 129,000 square meters at a total cost of AED500 million, the building will accommodate 4,000 students once completed. Its state-of-the-art academic facilities will leverage elements of sustainability and smart cities to link the university to the outside community in line with the requirements of modern education.

Dr Al-Assaf presented a brief about the new campus that will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is scheduled for handover in 2019, while the second phase will be completed in 2023.

In addition, His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi learnt more about the spectrum of undergraduate and graduate programs currently offered at RIT Dubai in collaboration with its New York headquarters. The programs cover innovation, smart city science, network management, data analysis, information technology, electronic security, mechanical and electronic engineering, and other disciplines that help achieve economic diversification and sustainability.

Dr Al Zarooni: Productive partnerships help achieve the strategic vision of the nation

Dr Al Zarooni said: “The visit of His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi highlights the productive partnership between the education and business sectors. Aligning the two sectors will boost their contribution to the strategic vision of the wise UAE leadership that seeks to enhance the UAE’s ranking in the global competitiveness, innovation, economic and human development indicators.”

He added: “DSO aims to become the first smart community in Dubai through combining the components of future smart cities with a world-class educational offering and a unique business environment conducive to innovation. In achieving this priority, DSOA facilitates the translation of creative ideas into reality through its wholly owned Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre (Dtec) that supports innovators in launching their startup ventures. Furthermore, Silicon Park, an upcoming addition to DSO, set for handover in Q1 2019, will be the first fully integrated smart city in Dubai.”

Dr Al-Assaf said: “The visit of the Minister of Education is a testament to the contribution of RIT Dubai to the emirate’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. Expanding the footprint of our parent institution in New York, we are committed to educating a generation of innovators that will build a better future for our country and transform Dubai into a city of happy and creative people.”