GEMS Education and Microsoft have teamed up to provide thousands of GEMS students, teachers, and school leaders with training in artificial intelligence (AI), building on the already long-standing and fruitful relationship between the two organisations and aligning perfectly with the UAE’s National Strategy for AI.
This focus on AI also complements the recently announced vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, to upskill educators in AIand accelerate the adoption of AI applications.
Dr Saima Rana, Group Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education, said: “We are proud to collaborate with Microsoft to bring cutting-edge AI training to our students, teachers, and school leaders. This collaboration reflects our unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of educational innovation and equipping our community with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital age.
“By integrating AI into our educational practices, we are preparing our staff and students for a future where technology and human potential are seamlessly intertwined.”
GEMS and Microsoft’s AI training will be rolled out from September 2024and take the following approach:
Student and Staff AI training
A total of 5,000 GEMS students aged 16-18 as well as teachers and school support staff will benefit from extensive face-to-face training in AI that is designed to prepare them to leverage AI technologies. The training will introduce students to AI concepts and applications, before deepening their understanding and usage of AI. Education staff, meanwhile,will be empowered with the necessary skills to integrate AI into their teaching practices and daily duties.All of this material will be made available to the wider GEMS community of teachers and students aged 13 and over through the internal online training systems.
The timing and location of these sessions will be released in due course.
Microsoft Copilot 365
GEMS is hosting workshops in collaboration with Microsoft aimed at training heads of school in the utilisation of Microsoft Copilot 365, involving specific uses for AI tools to support their leadership roles.Copilot 365 provides AI-powered assistance and real-time feedback and suggestions. It also automates administrative tasks, freeing uptime for human-related operations.
Hamad Matter, Education Lead, Microsoft UAE, said: “We are excited about the potential of this collaboration and the opportunities it will provide for students and educators to elevate their understanding of AI technologies and increase their productivity and employability.
“Recent research conducted by Microsoft found that 66% of leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills, and educators such as GEMS undeniably play a pivotal role in equipping the next generation of workers with the skills to succeed.We are excited to be supporting GEMS and the Government of the UAE on this important mission.”
Baz Nijjar, Principal Advisor – Education Technology, GEMS Education, said: “Integrating AI-powered tools like Microsoft Copilot 365 in our schools marks a significant step forward in our mission to leverage technology for enhanced learning outcomes.
“This initiative supports our educators in their professional growth and empowers our students with the knowledge and skills to navigate and excel in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. We are excited about the possibilities this relationshipwith Microsoft will unlock for our entire educational community.”
GEMS’ work with Microsoft underscores the world’s leading private education group’s commitment to providing cutting-edge educational opportunities and staying at the forefront of technological advancements in education.
