Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) launched the first phase of “Madrasa” e-learning platform for 1,000 villages in Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp in Jordan to provide offline educational content for students living in remote areas without internet access.
The innovative offline solutions, ranging from Madrasa tablet, WiFi hotspot device, Madrasa flash memory (USB) and Madrasa Smart Bag, were distributed in the Emirati-Jordanian camp located in Al Zarqa. The platform, also provided at the camp library to allow students to learn after school hours, will benefit 2,146 students at the camp, supported by 139 teachers in the first phase of the initiative that will cover the rest of remote areas across the Arab world.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched “Madrasa” e-learning platform for 1,000 villages in February to support learning for Arab students living in villages, remote areas and refugee camps with no internet access.
The platform provides 5,000 free Arabised videos in general science, math, biology, chemistry and physics to students from kindergarten to grade 12 without internet access through four innovative offline solutions.
In collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent that oversees the camp, MBRGI representatives distributed the innovative learning equipment at Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp and trained teachers to use the offline solutions to deliver the educational material effectively. A trial was carried out in classrooms to facilitate the use of the platform’s 5,000 free science and math videos without the need for internet access.
Dr. Waleed Al Ali, director of Madrasa platform at MBRGI, said, “we have chosen to launch the Madrasa e-learning platform in the Jordanian-Emirati Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp, and we will continue reaching out to 1,000 villages and refugee camps unable to access modern content.” He noted plans to expand the platform with new content in Arabic language, computer science, engineering, programming, Artificial Intelligence and space science.
The platform’s innovative solutions to provide content without internet access stems from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to bridge the knowledge gap in the Arab world and reignite civilization’s education and development.
Al Ali added that the platform seeks to facilitate a free all-time access to modern curricula, improving education opportunities for Arab students regardless of their circumstances and capabilities.
Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, secretary general at Emirates Red Crescent, said the platform presents a “great shift in education in the region and contributes to improving human capabilities to face modern challenges and combat illiteracy and poverty in remote areas.”
He added, “Madrasa platform complements the Emirates Red Crescent’s efforts to support education and empower marginalized communities whose difficult humanitarian and economic circumstances hindered their active participation in societies.” Al Falahi noted that the choice to roll out the initiative’s first phase in Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp highlights the country’s support to the Syrian refugee crisis.
“What sets this initiative apart is its ability to harness technology in spreading education in remote areas otherwise unable to access modern curricula,” said Al Falahi.
Future plans
In the next phase, MBRGI will provide access to Madrasa platform through offline high-tech solutions in remote areas across the Arab world through collaborations with the Emirates Red Crescent, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), besides collaborations with other international organizations and education ministries in the region.
Offline e-learning solutions
Launched under the umbrella of (MBRGI), Madrasa will reach out to children in remote villages and camps through Madrasa tablet, WiFi hotspot device, Madrasa flash memory (USB) and Madrasa Smart Bag. Each of these technologies, which facilitates access to creative educational videos without internet, will be delivered to different camp schools and villages depending on the need.
Madrasa’s educational content will be available on a tablet with an 8-hour battery life, while the mobile hotspot device will provide WiFi network that allows students in remote schools to connect to the internet. The hotspot device, which extends to 300 meters of coverage and operates on an 8-hour battery life, will also give access to e-books and videos that will be regularly updated.
Some students will receive educational videos on a flash memory (USB) that they can connect to a tablet or computer and learn without internet access.
Madrasa Smart Bag provides a full mobile classroom of 20 tablets, projector, WiFi extender, speakers and WiFi hotspot device. The classroom provides Madrasa’s content and other educational material in Arabic including e-books and videos.
Madrasa Platform
In October 2018, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched Madrasa (www.madrasa.org), the Arab World’s biggest e-learning educational platform that provides 5,000 free Arabised videos in general science, math, biology, chemistry and physics to support learning for more than 50 million Arab students, from kindergarten to grade 12.
Madrasa uses simple technology to provide free educational content available online and via an app.