ABU DHABI, Sep 3, 2002 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi Men's College (ADMC) has announced that it has introduced 19 online courses this semester, to be taken by 800 students, in what has been designated the ADMC's 'electronic academic year'.

ABU DHABI, Sep 3, 2002 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi Men's College (ADMC) has announced that it has introduced 19 online courses this semester, to be taken by 800 students, in what has been designated the ADMC's 'electronic academic year'.

Outlining the 19 courses, that are fully operational with a selective blending of classroom instruction where necessary, Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice-Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Director of ADMC, said yesterday that these include BAS in Construction Engineering, Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial Maintenance), Higher Diploma in Computer Engineering (Software), Higher Diploma in Food Inspection Technology, and a Diploma in Highway and Bridge Maintenance, the last one being sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Municipality & Town Planning, according to reports in the UAE's dailies. Dr Kamali noted that another major e-initiative was the upcoming International Conference scheduled to be held at the ADMC from September 8 to 9, under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, and Chancellor of the HCT, which will be held under the theme, 'e-merging e-learning'.

As part of the conference, IT experts from different parts of the world will share their experiences with participants with regard to e-learning and the advantages and disadvantages of an online education. The vice-chancellor said the ADMC looked forward to a stimulating year with ambitious and challenging plans, including the implementation of the HCT learning model at the college, to ensure that graduates possess capabilities in communications and information literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving and inter-disciplinary exploration, global awareness, IT, self-management and life-long learning, and finally teamwork and leadership. He pointed out that the college had also launched a laptop initiative from this year, with every new student expected to possess a laptop with wireless Internet access on the campus. WAM-VV