UAE telco du partners with Ministry of Education to support distant learning initiative

UAE telecom operator du has partnered with the Ministry of Education to support remote learning and online educational platforms for students and faculty members.

du is enabling all postpaid and prepaid customers to access their school websites and homework throughout the duration of the closed period without paying additional data charges, official news agency WAM reported.

“The list of participating schools will be available on our website on Thursday, March 12,” du said in a statement.

While users will be able to download content from their online educational platforms at no added costs, du will also provide access to selected VOIP applications such as Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, Google Hangout Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

فخورون بتعاوننا مع وزارة التربية والتعليم لدعم مبادرة التعلم عن بعد. حيث أثنى معالي @He_AlHammadi على تمكيننا للمبادرة والتي تأتي ضمن تكاتف مؤسسي وتعاون مجتمعي مكثف يعكس صلابة التعاون المنبثق عن رؤية واحدة تتشارك فيها مؤسسات الدولة الحكومية والخاصة.?? pic.twitter.com/xloFO8QJgH

— du (@dutweets) March 10, 2020

“This in addition to Skype for Business will be available for all fixed-line users for the time being,” it added.

“The launch of the remote learning initiative is extremely important is it enables seamless continuity of the country’s education curriculum and enhances the concept of lifelong learning,” said Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, minister of education.

“Moreover, it supports the nation’s endeavours to implement precautionary health measures in light of current conditions and ensures our students and teachers can carry out their tasks and responsibilities in a safe environment.”

Johan Dennelind, du CEO, said, “As a leading national organisation, it is our responsibility to utilise our resources and capabilities that will enable us to support the Ministry of Education as well as all schools and universities in the UAE.”

As a precautionary measure, the UAE’s Ministry of Education declared that all schools and universities across the country – including private and public schools – will be closed for four weeks beginning Sunday, March 8.

Read: Schools, colleges in the UAE to close for four weeks from March 8

The UAE has reported a total of 74 cases since the outbreak of the virus strain in China late last year.

Also read: Everything you need to know about the four-week break for schools, universities in Dubai