International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World The ITU Smart Learning Initiative e-Age, Muscat, 10 December 2014 Karim Abdelghani, Programme Coordinator, ITU Arab Regional Office

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World ICT SECTOR IN THE ARAB REGION 2

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World The Arab Countries in the ICT Development Index (IDI) 3

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World Wireless-Broadband Subscriptions in the Arab Countries 4

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World ITU REGIONAL INITIATIVE ON SMART LEARNING 5

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World ITU Regional Initiative on Smart Learning Objective: To bring about a shift from traditional methods of teaching in schools and universities, using books and paper ‐ based sources, to smart learning with the use of tablet computers, the latest software and modern telecommunication/ICT techniques to provide access to a range of academic information, resources and subject matters. Expected results Assistance to the countries in the following:  Eradication of digital illiteracy in the Arab region  Finding smart and low ‐ cost computing devices, either with the support of Arab governments or by concluding agreements with manufacturers to provide such devices  Development of Arab educational e ‐ content for schools and universities in the Arab region. 6

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World Activities in the Pipeline with the RI on Smart Learning Report on Smart Learning in the Arab Region: Review and Prospects Guidelines on Formulating National Strategies on Smart Learning Establishment of a Regional Innovation Center for Smart Learning Project on Assisting Arab Countries in Developing Open Educational Resources 7

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World REPORT ON SMART LEARNING IN THE ARAB REGION: REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 8

International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Slide 9 Report on Smart Learning in the Arab Region In collaboration with ALECSO, the report will present observations and an assessment of the readiness of countries in the Arab region to embrace smart learning in terms of:  development of national strategies  existing policies  projects at various levels of government The report will also propose a roadmap for next few years

International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Slide 10 Scope & Methodology of the study The project will focus on all 22 Arab countries. The data of the report will be collected through: A comprehensive review of literature A survey aimed at collecting data from the Ministries of ICT and Ministries of Education.

International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Slide 11 Sources for the review of literature Majority of the literature consisted of: various governmental reports studies conducted by non-profit organizations reports published by or on behalf of United Nations and its agencies various press releases from commercial and non-commercial organizations academic literature

International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Slide 12 Questionnaire survey with Ministries Questionnaire survey conducted in November 2014 with the Ministries of Information Technology and the Ministries of Education of Arab countries Focus on understanding state of preparedness for smart learning, existing policy infrastructure, and future plans. So far responses received from: Ministries of Information Technology: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Sudan Ministries of Education: Jordan, Oman, Qatar

International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Slide 13 Preliminary Observations and Analysis Smart learning initiatives in the region are primarily government initiatives, with minimal public-private partnerships and involvement of non-governmental organizations. Most initiatives convey a willingness to provide citizens with the benefits of digital advancements. National level smart learning strategies currently in existence in few countries: UAE, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Several national-level pilot project plans but majority are isolated efforts - not yet materialized into large implementations.

International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Slide 14 Preliminary Observations and Analysis Differences exist at both policy and implementation level. Many countries have started projects, initiatives and policy development that are not smart learning but will prepare for moving towards smart learning. Efforts concentrated on formal learning settings; informal learning not a priority at least in next few years. Wireless infrastructure in schools a priority area in several countries. Strategies already in place in many countries for online lessons and assessment in schools, web-based tools and platforms for enhancing educational experience. Countries showed great interest in new technologies utilized in education ex: Big Data, Cloud Computing, etc.

e-Age Conference, Muscat, December 2014 Committed to Connecting the World 15 Thank You ITU Arab Regional Office Website: Presence/ArabStates/Pages/default.aspx