Free AI Bootcamps Revolutionize UAE Education

Free AI Bootcamps in UAE: Supporting Students and Teachers

The educational system of the United Arab Emirates has been making significant strides in recent years to promote artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge, especially among the younger generation. According to the latest developments, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is offering free online AI bootcamps starting in September, targeting 9th and 10th-grade students. These bootcamps are not only aimed at students but also support the professional development of teachers, all organized within well-structured frameworks after school hours.

Four-Phase Program – Learning, Mentoring, Recognition

The series of bootcamps announced by the CBSE is divided into four periods:

a. September 1–17

b. October 6–17

c. November 3–18

d. December 1–16

The program is based on three main pillars: learning, mentoring, and recognition. The aim is not only for students to familiarize themselves with the basics of AI but also for teachers to stay up-to-date and effectively integrate AI-related topics into their curricula.

Schools must pre-register students to participate, who connect to the sessions using their own devices, preferably a laptop or tablet. Entry links are sent to the registered email addresses by CBSE, and a dedicated email address is provided for technical assistance.

Fitting into School Schedules

The program is designed not to disrupt schools’ regular schedules while maximizing afternoon sessions. Teachers typically participate in the training from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, while students join in from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM right after school ends.

This schedule allows AI-based education not to clash with other subjects, yet becomes part of the learning process. Additionally, it provides a sort of professional development framework for teachers, which many CBSE schools have supported for a long time.

AI Already Part of the Curriculum

Many CBSE schools in the UAE have already integrated AI into their curricula. In some institutions, artificial intelligence is a mandatory subject for grades 2–10, while it becomes elective in grades 11 and 12. This approach helps students become confident in navigating the world of new technologies from a young age.

The high school curricula include subjects such as data processing, machine learning (ML), and algorithmic thinking, often supplemented by project-based learning, robotics sessions, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs.

Digital Competence of Teachers – The Key to Success

Teachers play a crucial role in AI education. AI-integrated pedagogy not only implies new material but also new teaching methods. Schools aim for teachers not only to know the fundamentals of AI but to actively apply them as well.

Many teachers have participated in over 20 hours of professional training in fields like mathematics, computer science, or natural sciences. The goal is for these teachers to be able to make data-driven decisions, develop effective evaluation methods, and create personalized learning paths.

A Culture of Learning and Sustainable Innovation

The program does not end with the bootcamps. Participating schools are launching additional initiatives such as:

project-based learning on AI topics

AI-focused clubs

study exhibitions and technology fairs

mentorship programs for younger students

These elements not only expand learning opportunities but also build a culture of sustainable innovation, in which both students and teachers actively participate.

Recognition and Motivation

After successfully completing the bootcamp, both teachers and students receive certificates recognizing their work and participation. This recognition can further motivate them towards AI and related technologies. In the future, these certificates might even provide advantages in university admissions or career choices.

Summary

The free AI bootcamps in the UAE offer not just another learning opportunity but a comprehensive development program involving students, teachers, and schools. The CBSE initiative helps ensure that AI does not remain just a technological trend but becomes an integral part of learning, teaching, and thinking.

The future with artificial intelligence has already begun—and students in UAE schools are active participants in this future today.

(Source of the article: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announcement.)

img_alt: Close-up of Chat GPT artificial intelligence website.