Nouakchott: The Digital School, an initiative of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), organised a strategic 2-day workshop in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.
According to Emirates News Agency, the high-level Emirati delegation was led by Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Red Crescent and Board Member of the Digital School. The workshop focused on developing a comprehensive strategy for the digitisation of the education sector in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, unveiling new initiatives aimed at enhancing the digital learning ecosystem.
The workshop, which gathered over 100 experts and officials from the UAE, Mauritania, and the international community in addition to representatives from educational institutions in both the public and private sectors, was attended by key officials including Huda Babah, Minister of Education and Educational System Reform in Mauritania, Ahmed Salem Bede, Minister of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Administration in Mauritania, Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent and Board Member of the Digital School, and Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary General of the Digital School. Also present were Dr. Caseley Olabode Stephens, Policy and Education Officer at the African Union (AU) Commission, and Professor Isaacs Ishaq, Chief of Technology and AI in Education at the UNESCO.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Digital School Board of Directors, stated that the UAE, through the Digital School and the ERC, is committed to supporting digital transformation in Mauritania. This initiative aims at providing equitable and innovative educational opportunities for the younger generations, as part of a shared future vision aimed at enhancing the strong relations and the distinguished historical ties between the UAE and Mauritania. It leverages their mutual understanding of the vital role of education in driving development, to promote the digital transformation of education in Mauritania.
Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei highlighted that this initiative reflects the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the UAE and Mauritania, which are based on strong cooperation and a shared vision for achieving sustainable development, particularly in education.
Huda Babah, Minister of Education and Educational System Reform in Mauritania, emphasized that the government is adopting modernity and digitisation across all sectors, particularly in education. She recognized the importance of the Digital School initiative in empowering students with the necessary tools and methods to access advanced learning experiences.
Dr. Waleed Al Ali stressed the importance of creating a clear roadmap for the digital transformation of education, encompassing teacher professional development, digitizing curricula, developing online and offline learning content, improving communications, and establishing essential infrastructure to enhance the digital learning environment to meet future needs.
The strategic workshop provided a platform to exchange ideas and share best practices for transforming education into a digital experience accessible to all students, upskilling them with future knowledge and skills. During the visit, the opening of 21 renovated digital learning spaces in Nouakchott schools was announced. These classrooms were equipped with smart projectors, computers, and high-speed fiber-optic internet connections.
The newly renovated Teacher Training School was inaugurated, with all 16 classrooms equipped with smart screens and modern digital tools. Additionally, four fully integrated digital halls were established, featuring computers, smart boards, and high-speed internet, to support teachers in adapting to the digital age.
The workshop explored best practices, challenges and opportunities surrounding digital education transformation, focusing on the integration of digital tools into the education system in Mauritania. The two-day event featured seven main sessions covering key topics within the digital education transformation agenda.
Over the past three years, the Digital School, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Mauritania, has achieved groundbreaking milestones, including digitising the entire Mauritanian curriculum with 3,500 digital lessons and training over 600 digital teachers.
Launched in November 2020 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Digital School is the first accredited digital school of its kind. It aims to empower students with digital learning solutions, offering a unique model for hybrid and remote learning using smart and agile methodologies. It continues to grow, benefiting over 500,000 students across more than 14 countries and has trained over 7,200 digital educators, providing content in five languages.