Khaleej Times

10x sets sights on digital courts, virtual schools

- Sherouk Zakaria

dubai — A digital court that will pronounce verdicts in under 30 days and a virtual education platform powered by Blockchain technology are among the 26 innovative initiative­s that will be rolled out in Dubai in the next two years.

The second edition of 10X Dubai launched at the World Government Summit on Tuesday will propel the city 10 years ahead of other global cities. It will see 36 government entities working together to realise the projects in different sectors: Tourism, health, education, justice, sports, charity, culture, security and energy.

After launching the initiative, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, tweeted: “Today marks the beginning of a new phase for shaping the future in Dubai. The focus is on practical implementa­tion of innovative ideas.”

A Rahhal initiative by the Knowledge and Human Developmen­t Authority would give parents the chance to provide education to their children anytime, anywhere.

As many as 26 innovative initiative­s will be launched by the government entities over the next 24 months that will move Dubai 10 years ahead of other world cities, it was announced on Monday.

On the second day of the World Government Summit 2018, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, launched the second edition of 10X Dubai.

The second edition will see 36 government entities working together and unifying efforts to bring to life 26 innovative combined projects in different sectors including tourism, health, education, justice, sports, charity, culture, security and energy.

During last year’s summit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresid­ent and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched 10X Dubai asking government entities to come up with at least three innovative ideas that will move Dubai 10 years ahead of other cities.

During the past year, 36 government entities formed teams and brainstorm­ed for over 150,000 hours to come up with 163 ideas outside the box. A total of 26 of these ideas will be implemente­d in the coming 24 months as part of 10X 2.0. Here are some ome of the projects to be implemente­d.

Smart City University

During the launch, Aisha bin Bishr, director-general of the Dubai Smart Office, announced Smart City University, a virtual educationa­l platform that will develop digital skills through the technology of blockchain. “It will provide centralise­d education on an open platform and develop digital skills through blockchain,” said Aisha as she addressed Sheikh Hamdan, VIPs and delegates. “We attend conference­s, summits and YouTube courses and workshops without taking credit for developing our skills.” She said the new smart platform will gather internatio­nal experts and issue accredited degrees through blockchain.

Aisha added that the new platform will raise employment levels in the UAE by 10 per cent in 2020.

“Other parts of the world were able to raise that level to only five per cent,” she said.

“To develop that digital knowledge, we have to continue the journey of the UAE Founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the inspirer,” she said.

Verdicts in 30 days

Speaking during 10X 2.0 launch, Tarish Al Mansouri, director-general of Dubai Courts, said a new digital court will provide “parallel, not consecutiv­e trials”.

“Normally, a trial takes up to 305 days until a verdict is ruled, but the new court system will issue a verdict in just 30 days,” said Al Mansouri.

He added that current courts have 11 judges divided into three courts of the first instance, appeal and cassation. The smart court idea will be run by three judges and a court clerk.

“Dubai’s project is a court of three judges to resolve cases quickly and easily for people. It also follows Dubai’s vision of going paperless by 2021,” said Al Mansouri. He added that the project will make a shift in the justice system. The justice system will arrange regulation­s for this initiative and work with specialise­d sectors to bring the project to life.

Education on the go

Abdullah Al Karam, directorge­neral of the Knowledge and Human Developmen­t Authority (KHDA), said Rahhal’s initiative will give parents the chance to provide education to their children anytime and in any place.

“The whole world will be a classroom,” said Al Karam of Rahhal (means traveller in Arabic). “We will provide a learning experience that prepares students for life’s test, not a life full of academic tests,” he said.

Al Karam noted that questions of learning in one school by one teacher were raised during the brainstorm­ing process.

“Why do children have to start school at four, go to college at 18, then work at 21? Learning is endless and each person has to move at their own pace and be provided with the learning style that suits them,” he said.

The sixth edition of the World Government Summit convenes over 3,000 participan­ts, world leaders, policymake­rs, representa­tives of internatio­nal organisati­ons, and experts from over 130 countries.

The government summit, which saw the presence of experts from across the world will come to an end today.

 ?? Supplied photo ?? Abdullah Al Karam during the World Government Summit on Monday. —
Supplied photo Abdullah Al Karam during the World Government Summit on Monday. —

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