Rashid Bin Hamdan meets student team ahead of US finals

Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, Supreme President of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, met the student team from the Hamdan Bin Rashid Center for Giftedness and Innovation, who are set to represent the UAE at the FLL World Finals taking place next week in Houston, USA.

The visit comes in celebration of the team’s exceptional achievement, having advanced to the global competition after winning both the local and national robotics championships.

The meeting took place on Saturday at the Foundation’s headquarters in Dubai, in the presence of Aisha Miran, Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Dr Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation.

During the visit, Sheikh Rashid engaged with the students and the administrative and technical teams, reviewing their preparations and expressing deep pride in their success.

He commended their dedication and praised their efforts in qualifying to represent the UAE at the international level, wishing them continued success and honourable results that reflect the scientific ambition and capabilities of the nation’s youth.

According to programme organisers, 169 teams from across the Emirates participated in the national FLL competitions, which unfolded over two stages.

Of these, 40 teams reached the final round to compete for the national championship.

The competition assessed participants across four main areas, including robot programming and design, innovative engineering projects aligned with this year’s theme—marine life and its preservation—and values of teamwork, collaboration, and creativity.

The Hamdan Centre for Giftedness and Innovation team delivered an outstanding performance, securing second place in the Champion’s Award and first place in both the Robot Game and Robot Design categories at the local level. They went on to claim the Champion’s Award nationally, along with second place in the Robot Game.

Members of the student team expressed pride in their accomplishments and shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming global finals. They reaffirmed their commitment to further developing their skills, refining their strategies, and presenting their innovative project before an esteemed panel of international judges.

Recently, Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences participated in the 2024 Global Educational Supplies & Solutions (GESS) exhibition, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The audience explored models of projects and programmes implemented by the foundation to support excellence in medical and educational fields. The foundation’s booth showcased its international, regional, and local initiatives and its educational innovation experiences.

As part of the “Leaders in Education Conference” held alongside GESS, Dr Al Suwaidi led an insightful workshop titled “School Quality: How Do We Achieve It?”

This session explored comprehensive school quality standards, emphasising the importance of integrating all aspects of the educational process. Central to the discussion was the Hamdan Model for Schools, a holistic approach that merges innovation with high standards in educational performance.

Dr Al Suwaidi explained how the model supports creating an inclusive and forward-thinking educational environment that nurtures talent, empowers teachers, and modernises curricula.

He also showcased the foundation’s pioneering initiatives, including the “Hamdan Talent Rubric,” a sophisticated tool designed to identify and support gifted students through scientifically advanced methodologies.

Additionally, Dr Al Suwaidi highlighted the “Master of Innovative Education” programme, a collaborative endeavour with the United Arab Emirates University. This programme aims to equip educators with cutting-edge skills in innovative teaching practices, preparing them for leadership roles within educational institutions.

Further, the foundation introduced “Fab Lab UAE,” a state-of-the-art educational lab dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity among students and teachers. This unique space enables participants to explore the latest tools and technologies in a dynamic learning environment.

WAM