Since 1994, when Internet made its debut on the national scene as a modern tool of learning on the road to a knowledge-based society, the Kingdom has achieved significant progress in implementing Information Technology and distance learning programs and bringing together students in remote areas.
One of the landmark developments in this context was when Saudi Electronic University won first place prize in the best digital courses, as well as the third place prize in the training quality program to give them sufficient information on how to use this technology and transfer it to the students.
Vice Rector, Dr. Abdullah Omar Al Najar, said that this prize is a tribute to the university’s role in developing its educational methods to meet the expectations of our Kingdom’s leadership, to upgrade our academic institution and achieve the quality in higher education in order to produce qualified graduates for the labor market by making use of IT in advancing the country’s development.
“The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the most useful tool in promoting higher education, research, science and technology. Saudi Arabia has made tremendous efforts to enhance the country’s educational system over the past decade by introducing new educational programs and establishment of numerous schools, colleges, universities, technical and information technology institutes” said Sultan Ayoub Meo, a professor and consultant in College of Medicine at King Saud University.
According to him, presently, there are about 64 universities and degree awarding institutes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ICT has been growing rapidly in various higher education institutions in the country. It facilitates the educational institutes to connect to the international scientific community and be a part of global knowledge.
In a statement after chairing the Third International Conference for E-Learning and Distance Education, Dr. Al Najar pointed out that the university will allow other Saudi universities to benefit from its experience in digital courses, which they could teach to their students, if they wish to. It is a governmental electronic university, which relies on distance learning program by using advanced technologies. The university also contributes to the growth of higher education institutions in the Kingdom through the publication of Arabic literature on science and technology.
Dr. Al Najar also referred to SEU’s program to use technology in higher education. Within this broad framework it aims to be up to date with the latest technologies in the education field and deliver these techniques to the faculty members in a professional way.
This program requires the faculty members to be familiar with computer and Internet basics. Dr. Al Najar also said that the program helps to define the correct terminology in e-learning to the faculty member as well as to enable them to learn the latest methods available on storing information in the form of digital content in today’s paperless society.
He made these observations on the occasion of the Third International Conference on e-Learning and Distance Learning held in Riyadh on Feb. 2-7 under the aegis of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. This year’s event featured the latest scientific studies and research with 99 global figures who spoke at the week -long Conference. The event was organized by the National Center for e-Learning and Distance Learning under the theme “From Practice to Performance.”
According to the Undersecretary for Academic Affairs at the MHE, Mohammad Ohali, the National Center for e-Learning and Distance Learning represents the Kingdom’s vision for the future of education. It works as the supportive, consultancy house and the primary source for e-learning. The center’s strategy lays emphasis on providing the requirements for sustainable development and technology localization as well as positioning the Kingdom at its rightful place among nations investing in future education that factors in technological developments.
The NeLC is a smart interpretation of brilliant ideas, which include the National plan for information technology. He noted: “This comes within the framework of guidelines laid down by King Abdullah on the importance of implementing that plan to push the Kingdom to the forefront of communities that have the infrastructure required for technology and creatively use that infrastructure.”
Seen in this context, the center is the essence of the Kingdom’s vision for the future of education and presents one of the Ministry of Higher Education mechanisms, aiming to develop and modernize the higher education sector.
Spelling out the aims of the international event, he said it will showcase the latest scientific studies and research in the field of e-learning as a factor in boosting productivity. The event will bring together speakers from around the world.
Seen in the backdrop of these impressive strides on the IT front, it is clear that the intensive drive to implement education technology in Saudi Arabia has always been a number one priority.
The groundwork for this was laid in both the second (1975-1980) and the Third (1980-1985) national plans, which have emphasized the importance of this new learning tool in upgrading the educational standard.
The fourth national plan (1985-1990) also laid major emphasis on quality in education outcome.
Prior to the establishment of a small audio-visual unit within the Ministry of Education in 1959, Educational Technology did not exist. Then in the same year there was a report by the International Yearbook of Education concerning the introduction of a small audio-visual production program.
Between the years 1964 and 1971 a major change which took place in Saudi education was the introduction of a graphic and illustrations unit for limited production of slides, filmstrip, photography, transparencies, and silk screen-prints. To implement educational technology, the Saudi government sought foreign expert recommendations and cooperation, such as: Wade Media Consultant, Inc. in 1973 and India University in 1975.
