During its first regular meeting for the Academic Year 2014-2015, the Board of Governors of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) discussed the new system for the national classification of higher education institutions in the UAE. The discussions focused on the new system’s framework and general features in a bid to position HBMSU at the forefront of the leading higher educational institutions. The members called for strong commitment towards the implementation of the plan’s objectives in order to reach a new level of educational excellence.

On the progress of HBMSU’s activities and initiatives, the Board of Governors commended the online Executive Master's in Business Administration (EMBA) in Islamic Banking and Finance recently launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The EMBA was unveiled during the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum at the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre’s stand.

The Board of Governors also praised the HBMSU Smart Campus platform launched by H.E. Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Dubai General Security and Chairman of HBMSU Board of Governors. The HBMSU Smart Campus is one of the key pillars in promoting smart education in the country through the use and integration of modern technology into learning.

During the meeting, the Board of Governors took a closer look at HBMSU’s achievements at the academic and scientific research levels. The members highlighted the visits of H.E. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and H.E. Hussein Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, both of whom were briefed about the initiatives and leading applications undertaken by HBMSU to promote smart education. The separate visits took place in a bid to strengthen the cooperation between HBMSU and other educational and academic institutions in the UAE. The Board of Governors commended as well the holding of ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014,’ a first-of-its-kind event aimed at providing a strong base to ensure the integration of best practices into smart learning. The members also stressed the importance of ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Award 2014’ in promoting excellence and leadership among prominent institutions that have shown superiority in implementing best international practices to ensure smart learning’s continuous growth and development.