HBMSU Chancellor Appointed Governing Board Member of UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education

DUBAI, UAE, September 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar becomes first Arab scholar to join world's elite educators for his role in promoting smart learning across Arab World 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), has announced the appointment of Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU), as the newest member of the governing board of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education. Dr. Mansoor will be responsible for directing the institute's efforts and initiatives towards bridging the digital divide in education and the development of knowledge-based societies. He will also be involved in consolidating human resources in the region, particularly through the publication of ePrograms for continuous learning purposes.

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Dr. Mansoor will be joining an elite group of the world's most prominent educators, including 10 officials and dignitaries who have made major contributions in the promotion and dissemination of information and communication technologies (ICT) across the field of education. The HBMSU Chancellor's appointment is attributed to the pivotal role he has played in the promotion of smart educational resources in the Arab World.

This is the first time that an Arab scholar has been nominated for membership to the governing board of UNESCO's Institute for Information Technologies in Education. The nomination, according to UNESCO senior officials, is in recognition of Dr. Mansoor's key efforts in spreading a culture of smart learning and disseminating contemporary knowledge to suit the needs of the Arab region.

H.E. Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Dubai General Security and Chairman of HBMSU Board of Governors, commented on the election of Dr. Al Awar for this eminent position, "This appointment is attributed to the patronage of our young state's leaders, along with the efforts of loyal and creative youths in uplifting the UAE among other nations in the most prestigious international events."

The UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education was established as an integral part of UNESCO by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 29th session (November 1997). The institute contributes to the design and implementation of the programmes of the organization with regard to the application of ICT in education.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMSU's philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.

Contact: Lara Al Nagi; +97-1-507629221 Office +971-44241013