Saudi e-learning center launches excellence standards

The National e-Learning Center adopted the e-education and e-training standards at a meeting chaired by Minister of Education, and center chairman, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 June 2021
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Saudi e-learning center launches excellence standards

  • The quality measures were co-developed and reviewed by international organizations and more than 40 experts from around the world
  • The standards cover all key sectors of public, higher and vocational education in addition to lifelong learning

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National e-Learning Center on Monday announced that it had launched a set of globally approved excellence standards.

The quality measures were co-developed and reviewed by international organizations and more than 40 experts from around the world.

The center’s board of directors adopted the e-education and e-training standards at its seventh meeting chaired by Saudi education minister and center chairman, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh.

The Online Learning Consortium, one of the leading organizations in the field of e-learning, was among the bodies that worked with the center to prepare and develop the standards.

Experts from South Korea, China, the US, the UK, New Zealand, and a number of European countries, as well as a UNESCO committee, collaborated in the reviewing and arbitration process after making a comprehensive benchmarking assessment of global standards.

The standards cover all key sectors of public, higher and vocational education in addition to lifelong learning, focusing on the aspects of design and implementation of educational and training e-programs.

They also deal with integrated education, electronic course design, virtual classes, e-teaching, e-learning program management, standards of excellence for massive open online courses and e-learning platforms, educational video production, and e-learning management. 

National e-Learning Center, affirmed that the new structure was aimed at promoting excellence and leadership in educational and training e-practices while raising competitiveness in terms of quality of services.

“Individuals wishing to access all the details related to these standards, the entities providing educational e-activities, and the related educational and training e-programs, can visit the center’s website,” he added.

The center recently launched basic criteria for obtaining the necessary licenses to enable entities and programs to provide e-education and e-training.


Riyadh school enters Guinness World Records with Book Bloom 500

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Riyadh school enters Guinness World Records with Book Bloom 500

  • Pravin Patel: This remarkable literary milestone that captured our attention was held as part of the largest creative writing lesson
  • Veteran Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena was the chief guest at the Book Bloom 500 ceremony

RIYADH: Hundreds of schoolchildren in Riyadh have made history after reaffirming that books still matter in an age of disruptive technologies and fleeting distractions.

The Saudi capital recently witnessed the simultaneous launch of 500 works authored by students of Alif International School, a collective record for the highest number of student-authored books launched in a single, collaborative effort.

The achievement has earned the students a place in the Guinness World Records, a milestone marked by an impressive ceremony titled Book Bloom 500.

“This remarkable literary milestone that captured our attention was held as part of the largest creative writing lesson,” said Pravin Patel, the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records.

He praised the Book Bloom 500 initiative and said the successful project fulfilled all the specifications required for the record.

Veteran Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena was the chief guest at the Book Bloom 500 ceremony, which was attended by prominent members of the Saudi and expatriate communities, along with parents and teachers.

Addressing the gathering, the former editor-in-chief of Arab News congratulated the young authors and expressed the hope that many of them would grow into great writers contributing meaningfully to shaping the world and advancing the betterment of humanity.

He also reminded parents and teachers of their vital responsibility in nurturing children to achieve holistic development.

The little authors were delighted as dignitaries unveiled their books. Their radiant smiles reflected the joy and pride of setting a world record through their journey as published authors.

Sheikh Ali Abdurahman, the chairman of the Alif Group of Schools, praised the teamwork that had made the historic accomplishment possible.

Luqman Ahmed, the CEO of the Alif Group of Schools, talked about the year-long efforts undertaken by school authorities, teachers, and parents to realize the feat.

He said: “Our dedicated teamwork has been instrumental in nurturing new writers and authors, and followed relentless efforts to instill a reading habit among all 1,300 students of the school without exception, eventually guiding more than one-third of them into the world of authorship.”

He added that this had resulted in the publication of books across diverse subjects in English, Arabic, and five other languages.

Mohammed Mustafa, Alif International School’s principal, highlighted the school’s project of introducing students to the world of reading while pursuing its mission of transforming education into a joyful journey with the motto “A School With a Smile.”

He said: “We introduced the Read and Rejoice program as part of co-curricular activities to bring students closer to stories and help them embrace books as companions in sharpening their thinking, enriching their language, calming their minds, and enhancing their emotional intelligence.”

The ceremony also included captivating performances from young children.