Sandooq Al Watan Provides 10,000 Laptops to School and University Students to Support Distance Learning

Abu Dhabi,  7 April 2020 – Sandooq Al Watan, the national initiative launched by prominent Emirati businessmen to support shaping a better future for the coming generations, announced making a financial contribution of AED 12.5 million, in partnership with Aldar Properties, which is contributing AED 5 million, to provide 10,000 laptops in support of the distance learning initiative endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Education to ensure the continuity of the educational process.

Sheikh Nahyan also praised the contribution of Aldar Properties and its support for the initiative, which will benefit school and university students in the UAE. He also highlighted that Sandooq Al Watan is a model of constructive national work, noting the contributions of business leaders to the fund since its inception, as they are key partners in the development process, and urging national companies to support the fund's objectives.
 
 
In line with the UAE's vision which adopts education as the foundation of achieving a leading position across various sectors, the initiative is designed to provide school and university students with laptops to enhance their distance learning experience, in line with the preventive and precautionary measures taken by UAE government to protect the public health.
 
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, stated that the current challenges caused by an exceptional health situation highlight the reassuring national reality and is a pioneering example of coherence and cooperation between individuals and groups, noting that social responsibility is the nation's true driving force.
He added that the journey of learning is continuing despite the exceptional conditions, which is due to the futuristic vision of the UAE's leadership to adopt a smart education system that enables self-learning, explaining that the success of the system is the outcome of years of hard work and the support of strategic partners.
The initiative is greatly appreciated by the country's education system, he further added while praising the key national role of Sandooq Al Watan in collecting contributions from business leaders. This social role is also being performed by Aldar Properties, he further said.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Properties said: "As a long-standing partner to Sandooq Al Watan, we are proud of the role that we are playing in supporting their initiatives, which aim to advance and build an Emirati society capable of overcoming all challenges and leading a sustainable knowledge-based economy. Aldar is committed to shouldering the responsibility and supporting our economy and community, and will continue to take part in social initiatives like this one, which aims to ensure that student are provided with equal access to education."
 
Ahmed Mahmoud Fikri, Acting General Manager of Sandooq Al Watan, said that the initiative to provide 10,000 laptops to school and university students around the country and support them in continuing their educational journey through distance learning, is in line with the Sandooq Al Watan's mission of empowering the citizens and society of the UAE through the provision of opportunities for growth – unleashing their fullest potential to contribute towards the development of the nation.
He added that Sandooq Al Watan implements several innovative projects and initiatives, in light of the precautionary measures recently adopted by the UAE educational system, including supporting distance learning system across schools through the "School Voice" application, which is currently being offered for free to all schools. Sandooq Al Watan also launched "Mawhibatna" and the "UAE Coder" programs through an advanced distance-learning platform. These programs provide national talents with opportunities to participate in building a knowledge-based economy. The fund offers support to innovators to help them realize their ambitions and turn their innovations into projects that benefit the Emirati society and accelerate the pace of its development.
 
Sandooq Al Watan embodies societal cohesion alongside the directives of the UAE's leadership that call for achieving sustainable development in preparation for the post-oil era.