Forty math teachers from UAE-based secondary schools participated in a workshop entitled "Effective Teaching and the Use of Technology in Teaching Mathematics," held this week by the Office of Enrollment Management and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at American University of Sharjah (AUS).

The teachers were from schools that have recently signed a Sharakah Memorandum of Understanding with AUS. As part of the ongoing activities under the strategic initiative, a series of workshops are being organized to enhance teaching methods and introduce new trends and technology in teaching different subjects to secondary school students. This workshop, conducted and hosted by the AUS Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was held in the state-of-the-art mathematics lab.

Ali Shuhaimy, AUS Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, said, "The workshops underline one of the aims of the Sharakah initiative by offering the opportunity to teachers to learn to incorporate technology in their teaching methods. This is the first in a series of workshops that aim to enhance the quality of teaching in our school system."

According to Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, "One of the primary goals of our department is to promote and increase the impact of mathematics through teaching and community outreach. Through professional consultation, academic collaboration and promotion of mathematics in local schools, we participate in the advancement of the local community."

AUS recently signed Memorandums of Understanding with 12 secondary schools in the UAE under the Sharakah initiative whereby AUS will offer workshops to teachers and students; offer patronage of selected research, cultural, social and sporting activities and events organized by the Sharakah partner school; award partial scholarships to deserving students selected from lists provided by the schools; and offer university preparation courses, including SAT and TOEFL preparation courses, as well as recruitment of outstanding students from varied socio-cultural and economic backgrounds to AUS.

Future activities planned as part of the Sharakah program include the first annual Sharakah Soccer Cup; workshops on different subjects such as English language and literature, environmental sciences, biology, engineering, architecture; and briefing sessions on AUS graduate programs for teachers of the Sharakah schools  to encourage the pursuit of professional development.