This book is based on the proceedings of the Third Annual Education Conference of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), entitled “Information Technology and the Future of Education in the United Arab Emirates” held on October 2–3, 2012. This Conference forms part of the vision adopted by the ECSSR that seeks to raise education standards in the UAE, examine future pedagogical developments and propose solutions to obstacles that may hinder educational progress in the country. The ECSSR has regularly organized seminars, panel sessions and lectures that deal with educational issues and has published a broad spectrum of material on the subject.

The advancement of education, in quantity and quality, has been at the forefront of the country's development in recognition of it being the key to creativity, problem-solving skills, and ultimately the knowledge economy. In addition, the various strategic development plans drafted by the government depend almost completely on the quality of national education in the years to come.

In its determination to support the Leadership's aim of making the UAE a beacon of educational excellence, the ECSSR's Third Annual Education Conference highlighted new and dynamic programs such as the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiative for Smart Learning, detailing its programs, curricula and new teaching and assessment methods.