Madrasa e-learning platform, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has partnered with TikTok as the latter launched its globally successful STEM Feed in the UAE. This partnership brings the largest free Arabic language educational library to the platform, marking a key milestone in both organizations’ shared commitment to enhancing learning opportunities, promoting innovation, and enriching communities across the region.

The announcement was made during the signing of a cooperation agreement attended by His Excellency Saeed Al Eter, Assistant Secretary General at MBRGI; Dr. Waleed Al Ali, General Coordinator of the Madrasa.org online platform; and Kinda Ibrahim, Regional General Manager of Operations for TikTok Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan, and South Asia. The partnership aims to deliver high-quality, verified content focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to millions of Arab youth through innovative formats that resonate with today’s learners.

Dr. Waleed Al Ali said MBRGI continues to expand its strategic partnerships and initiatives to spread education and knowledge, reflecting the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which emphasizes education as fundamental to building a new Arab generation capable of positive societal change. MBRGI is also keen to implement the directives by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, for the development of a world-class educational environment that empowers Arab students with modern knowledge and skills, fostering their creativity and contribution to a knowledge-based future.

“Launching the largest free Arabic educational video library on TikTok marks a new phase for Madrasa in advancing self-learning and providing Arab students with essential knowledge. This initiative offers accessible, high-quality content through an innovative approach that blends structured learning with engaging presentation, leveraging the reach and appeal of social media and educational videos.”

Dr. Al Ali noted that this launch significantly contributes to Madrasa’s success since 2018, highlighting its impressive video views, growing subscriber base, and regional and international recognition for its influential role in promoting self-learning and strengthening the Arabic language among younger generations. The partnership also reflects TikTok’s long-term strategy to amplify educational impact through strategic partnerships. It delivers STEM topics while sparking curiosity, promoting creativity and inspiring youth in the region to pursue STEM careers.

Kinda Ibrahim said, “Launching the STEM Feed in the UAE furthers our mission to empower the next generation of innovators. With nearly 10 million STEM-related videos shared globally on TikTok over the past three years, it’s clear there’s a strong appetite for educational content,” she added “Partnering with MBRGI is part of TikTok’s long-term strategy to amplify educational impact through collaboration. By launching the STEM feed in UAE and through Madrasa’s largest free Arabic educational video library, we aim to encourage the community to explore, experiment, and expand their knowledge. This aligns with our shared vision of prioritizing education as a key driver of community development.”

This partnership expands Madrasa’s mission to transform Arabic into a language of modern science and learning. Since its launch in 2018, the platform has offered more than 7,000 interactive lessons across STEM subjects and Arabic language studies, earning international accolades from organizations like UNESCO and ESCWA. The STEM Feed is now available to all users, with users aged 18 and above able to activate it by going to their app settings, selecting Content Preferences, and turning on the STEM Feed. The feed will feature leading STEM creators as well as content from partners like Majarra, a trusted provider of high-quality Arabic content.

To maintain the quality and integrity of the STEM Feed, all content will be carefully reviewed by TikTok’s internal teams in collaboration with Common Sense Networks and Poynter. These partnerships ensure that every piece of STEM content is thoroughly vetted for both appropriateness and accuracy. Common Sense Networks will evaluate the educational value of the content, while Poynter will verify the reliability of the information presented. Any content that does not meet these standards will not be featured.

Together, MBRGI and TikTok are paving the way for knowledge-based societies by making STEM education accessible, entertaining, and impactful. They are empowering young people to explore, experiment, and innovate one short video at a time.

Canon Middle East (CME) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education as the official strategic partner for skills development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The partnership delivers on the ambitions of the UAE’s Vision 2021 to develop the talent of youth in the UAE by empowering them to engage new-age digital innovations and prepare them with the skills required for education and employment opportunities of the future.

Her Excellency Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Care and Activities Sector emphasised that through all of its partnerships, the Ministry of Education seeks to enhance students’ skills across various creative fields, positively impacting their journey in future. To this end, the Ministry focuses to uplift students’ skills and meet their different interests in-line with its goals, academic and skill enhancement plans for the students of the UAE.

Her Excellency also highlighted that the MoU is a result of a long-standing cooperation, as Canon had organised many programmes aiming to enhance students’ skills in photography and digital production and improving their various talents, as the Ministry seeks to promote cooperation with specialised parties in-line with its initiatives for visual arts.

As part of the agreement, Canon hosted a visual photography summer camp this year for 87 students from various schools to further develop their imaging skills and understanding of visual arts. The camp consisted of eight sessions and included video instruction and assignments for each student. The students’ work will be demonstrated through a virtual exhibition in October.

In 2021, Canon will also become the Ministry’s official partner for the National Clubs programme, which is an afterschool digital hub to empower and educate students on various topics including art and culture, health and fitness, STEM, life skills, and linguistics. Visual and creative arts, with an emphasis on photography and videography, are also a key component of the programme, and

Canon will conduct imaging workshops for 100 students aged between 10 and 18 who are interested in photography and filmmaking. The eight-week long course will be delivered online through virtual instruction and training videos and will run across three different levels to cater to the various age groups within the National Clubs programme.

Canon’s imaging workshops fall within Canon’s AKTASHIF programme which is a community-oriented initiative designed to equip young people aged 14 to 24 with the tools and techniques to unleash creative careers. The initiative provides training, mentorship and provides a focal point for “YOUTH” to develop their interests, strengthen their creativity and inculcate in them the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Canon Turkey, said, “Our collaboration with the Ministry spans a number of years and this agreement will build on the work we have done together to spark innovation and inspire students. Youth today are at a major crossroads as their educational and self-development journey is rapidly unravelling and evolving; but they are also increasingly adaptable, eager to get past hurdles, and are innovative in their approach to learning new skills. Through our workshops students will be mentored and trained using new digital technology that is essential for their education today and will prepare them for their professional careers in the future.”

“The  partnership also underlines our commitment to our corporate philosophy, ‘Kyosei,’ meaning living and working together for the common good, and education is one of our key focus areas as an innovation-led, technology company, where we feel we can make a positive difference,” added Agrawal.

The Ministry of Education and Canon have collaborated on a series of successful initiatives which led to the signing of the partnership agreement this year. The initiatives included supporting the Ministry’s Masterpieces programme by providing photography courses, equipment and giveaways for the programme’s winners, and printing the winning imagery to be displayed at the La Perle show.

Last year, Canon launched a competition on Women’s Day within UAE public schools where four female students won pink Selfy printers and a photography master class with a Canon Ambassador. Canon also sponsored the National Science and Technology and Innovation Fair hosted by the Ministry.

The Sharjah Public Library (SPL), an affiliate of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has launched the ‘Smart Locker’ service that facilitates the 24/7 borrowing of books via the SPL website. The books ordered through the Smart Locker will be reserved for three days and can be collected any time during this period.

This new system is part of the integrated smart services launched by SPL and caters especially to the needs of members who are unable to visit during the opening hours of the library.

The Smart Locker service uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology that allows members to use their Emirates ID or SPL’s membership cards to collect and return books. SPL’s Smart Locker consists of 38 lockers equipped with a touch screen that are connected to SPL’s digital network and CCTVs.

Commenting on the launch of the new service, Eman Bushulaibi, Director of SPL, said: “The Sharjah Public Library is a keen adopter of innovative technologies, which enables us to continually improve its patrons’ user experience. Our Smart Locker service will offer its users an advanced personalised service, allowing members to engage with SPL’s array of offerings in new and improved ways.”

She added: “Globally, cultural entities are devising inventive ways to keep the public engaged with the written word, especially during the ongoing pandemic. With the Smart Locker service, our members can order and pick up books at their convenience in a contactless manner. This new feature furthers the library’s efforts to implement precautionary measures that will keep all our valued customers safe.”