Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi offers free online courses with Yale and IBM

The programmes are intended to help residents boost their skills during the pandemic

Courses on the Insight platform cover functional and soft skills development across 12 categories, including FinTech, data analytics and corporate banking and management. Pawan Singh / The National  

UAE authorities are to give all residents free access to 4,000 online courses as part of a new education programme launched this week.

Digital Learning for All aims to encourage innovation by turning the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic into opportunities.

Under the scheme, Abu Dhabi School of Government will make courses from Yale University, Imperial College London and others available at no cost.

The scheme forms part of a wider campaign called Abu Dhabi Inspires that was announced on Monday.

“As the world adapts to remote working and physical distancing, digital learning has never been more accessible,” said Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, chairman of the Department of Government Support in Abu Dhabi.

“This initiative provides the opportunity for all UAE residents to build the skills required to navigate evolving market conditions.”

The ADSG is responsible for the training of all government employees in the emirate.

Its students have access to thousands of online courses from leading education institutes around the world, including IBM and Google.

Now, the organisation has agreed to open up access to the learning platform so that all UAE residents can take advantage.

Officials hope thousands will use the opportunity to “build the skills required to navigate evolving market conditions”.

On Tuesday, in addition to the Digital Learning for All scheme, officials also announced a further project called Fit@Home.

The new project, developed by UAE sports and health authorities, hopes to inspire residents to stay fit while working from home.

Sultan Al Mutawa, executive director of community engagement and sports sector at the Department of Community Development, said the first phase of the programme included a set of exercises participants could do at their desks.

He said the initiative was designed to “raise employees fitness levels and maintain their health during these challenging times”.

Speaking about the announcement of Abu Dhabi Inspires, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, said innovation could bring new perspectives even during the most challenging of times.

"Through Abu Dhabi Inspires, we seek to support substantial ideas and fresh solutions, exploring possibilities that can reshape our world,” he said.