Zayed University students conduct a research study on Open Source Software

May 2, 2013

Abu Dhabi Education Council has given Zayed University students, Huda Al Jaberi, Bashayer Mezhel, Zamzam Abdul Rahman and Reem Al Hanaei, from the College of Technological Innovation, the opportunity to conduct a research study on how to employ Open Source Software (OSS) in UAE schools. This study, which is under the supervision of Dr. Manar Abu Talib, will show that OSS is valuable in terms of cutting down the IT expenses in UAE schools in order to avoid total dependence on a single supplier or on foreign providers. Moreover, the software could support sustainability and match the strategic planning goals of Abu Dhabi in terms of cost-effectiveness and increased accessibility to knowledge. With OSS, school managers could test the suitability of IT solutions with no license fees.
Zayed University’s students also installed an Open Source Software in the International Canadian School of Abu Dhabi (CIS), and provided training to students in grades 6, 8 and 11, all of which allowed them to note valuable student feedback.

Zayed University’s students extended a heartfelt thank you to Abu Dhabi Education Council for their support, and to the School Principal Mr. Darcy Reynolds, Secondary vice Principal, Mr. Ryan Michalenko, IT Assistant, Michelle Murdock, and Grade 6 teacher Krista Hoogenboom, for their enthusiasm and cooperation.