Dubai: Learning new languages and effectively utilizing technology are some of the ways students can become global citizens, experts said at the What Works Global Citizen conference in Dubai on Monday.
The event, organised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), attracted students and over 420 teachers and principals from 85 private schools in Dubai.
Abdulla Al Karam, chairman of the board of directors- director general of KHDA, said that technology can be used by students to take part in global causes.
“The technology is there to connect students, not only with materials and knowledge, but also with each other and with global causes,” he said.
Clare Woodcraft-Scott, chief executive of Emirates Foundation, pointed out that not enough young people in the UAE are engaged in technology, science, mathematics and engineering.
“All we hear from our private sector partners is we need young people to be tech-savvy and to be skilled in engineering, mathematics and technical issues,” she said.
According to her, young people need to actively consume technology.
“We know that young kids from an early age can use an iPad and a phone…they can access the technology, but can they create the next iPhone?” she said, adding that the youth must be equipped with a different and more comprehensive skill set.
“We live in a digital world where the speed of change is exponential…we are asking young people to operate and be effective in a world that is very different from where earlier generations grew up…to be a global citizen these days, you need to [have ]skills that can help you with this transition from analog to digital. We know that young people were born into the digital world but we still have analog institutions that they are engaging with,” she said.
Page last updated 31 December 2019