Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Specialization Developed by Khalifa University Meets Professional Needs of Over 129 million Coursera Learners
Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced the debut of the ‘Arabic for Beginners’ specialization on the leading online global platform Coursera, to further expand educational opportunities for learners worldwide.
For the first time, the collaboration between Khalifa University and Coursera will enable 129 million learners across the globe to learn conversational Arabic and meet their professional development goals. This specialization, which has English as the medium of instruction, is asynchronous and automated, and not only promotes self-learning and provides a seamless and flexible learning experience, but provides an opportunity for learners to work and communicate in an Arabic speaking environment.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “Khalifa University’s collaboration with Coursera represents a significant milestone extending access to professional education at any place and at any time. We are excited to launch the region’s latest specialization in the Arabic language curated by our world-class faculty offering open access to global learners through online platforms. Learners and non-native speakers worldwide can now delve into culturally contextualized topics and genuinely appreciate the rich language. This strategic partnership, which is in line with our goals of equipping learners in the region with the necessary scientific and language skills, also contributes to the UAE’s accelerating knowledge economy.”
As a leading institution in the Arab world, it is only natural for Khalifa University to pioneer in sharing expertise in Arabic with the global community and reach learners from various societies who are keen to explore Arabic, its heritage, and its implications in today’s world. Spoken by more than 350 million globally, the role of Arabic language increases in significance both in the academic and business realms, making its study the logical extension for any interested individual.
This collaboration with Coursera and the launch of the specialization also aligns with three of the 17 the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – ‘Quality Education (SDG-4)’, ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG-8)’, as well as ‘Partnerships for the Goals (SDG-17).
The Arabic for Beginners Specialization is tailored for learners with no or little prior Arabic knowledge; this comprehensive specialization covers the phonetics of the Arabic language,nuances between feminine and masculine language specifics, and practical communication skills, through audiovisual aids and group discussions.
Khalifa University is also working with its world class facultyfrom both the College of Computing and Mathematical Sciences and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (KU CMHS) to develop two more specializations: Intelligent Systems for Executives, and Deep Learning. These courses, which will be taught by faculty experts, aim to promote Khalifa University’s global and online presence as an outreach to learners worldwide. Learners who successfully complete Khalifa University’s Arabic for Beginners specialization on the Coursera platform will also receive unique certificates that bear the distinctive signature in Arabic and include a verification link for authentication.
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
8 February 2024
