HBMeU signs MoU with Beirut Arab University to collaborate on e-learning initiatives during SCOP meeting 2012

Both parties commit to jointly develop new programs that promote open and distance education in Arab world

(prHWY.com) November 14, 2012 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- November 14, 2012
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Beirut Arab University (BAU), a Lebanese private institution of higher education accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education, to work together in various initiatives related to e-learning. The MoU was signed by Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMeU, and Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El-Adawi, President of BAU, during the International Council for Open and Distance Education Standing Conference of Presidents (ICDE SCOP) 2012, which is being held at HBMeU from November 13 to 15.

Under the agreement, HBMeU and BAU have agreed to work together on faculty exchange programs to encourage joint research activities, participation of the faculty of both institutions in each other's research publications, collaboration on scientific conferences, seminars and events, joint research projects pertinent to the region including areas such as e-learning, Excellence and Quality Management, jointly offering learners, faculty members and staff members better access to each other's resources, coordination of professional staff development programs, and jointly offering corporate training programs.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar said: "This partnership is in line with our continuing efforts to establish strategic alliances with other leading academic institutions in the region and around the world to jointly promote academic excellence through e-learning. HBMeU is also looking forward to share its specialized expertise in e-learning with BAU and help drive the adoption of open and distance education across the Arab world. We are confident that this partnership will unlock more opportunities to enhance the delivery of education and create a truly conducive environment for learners and faculty."

Dr. Amr Galal El-Adawi said: "We are eager to take advantage of HBMeU's expertise and know-how in e-learning to support our own expansion plans in this critical area. E-learning has become a necessity in the Arab World. From this standpoint, universities that have massive experience in this field must be aware of the need to disseminate this culture. Beirut Arab University has extensive experience in all disciplines and is regarded as one of the oldest universities in the Arab world. Furthermore, since its inception, BAU has successfully adopted the blended learning approach in its teaching, as well as the distance education approach, despite the lack of any advanced technological means at the time. This opened up a world of opportunities for Arabs, at a time when there were only a limited number of universities. This partnership will enable both parties to contribute towards the advancement of e-learning as a tool for progress and development in the region."

ICDE SCOP 2012 earlier conducted three Working Group sessions as part of the activities during the first day of the conference. Working Group 1 on opening day was about "Social Perception on ODE", featuring discussions on strategies and methods that ICDE can adopt to influence beliefs and social perception of ODE, for its wider adoption and deployment. The second Working Group titled "Influencing Policy and Decision Makers" saw participants work on proposing strategies, argumentation and recommendations to stakeholders for promoting and supporting ODE initiatives. The third Working Group centered on the topic "ODE Quality Frameworks", discussing guidelines and principles on how ICDE can promote effective borderless quality frameworks.

The final day of SCOP meeting 2012 will have Working Group sessions about "The Role of Social Networking/Social media in the promotion of Open and Distance Education" and "Open Educational Resources: Challenges and Opportunities Forward".

Beirut Arab University, located in the heart of Beirut, is a centre of culture and enlightenment. BAU is a Lebanese private institution for higher education, founded by the Lebanese El-Bir and Ihsan society in 1960. The University currently consists of faculties in Arts; Law & Political Science; Commerce & Business Administration; Architectural Engineering; Science; Engineering; Pharmacy; Medicine; Dentistry; and Health Sciences. BAU is committed to ensuring that the processes of learning, teaching and assessment evolve to cope with the requirements of lifelong learning and to create more demanding learners, with higher expectations and aspirations.

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