العربية    中文    русский    Français
Student Portal Staff Portal Online Payment
University of Wollongong in Dubai University of Wollongong in Dubai
  • About
    • Our Campus
      • About Dubai
      • 360° Virtual Tour
    • Accreditation
    • Rankings
    • UOW Australia
    • UOW Global Network
    • President’s Message
    • UOWD Board
    • UOWD Advisory Council
  • Degrees
    • Bachelors
      • Business & Commerce
        • Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
        • Bachelor of Business (Finance)
        • Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)
        • Bachelor of Business (International Business)
        • Bachelor of Business (Management)
        • Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
        • Bachelor of Business Administration
      • Computer Science
        • Bachelor of Computer Science
        • Bachelor of Computer Science (Big Data)
        • Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security)
        • Bachelor of Computer Science (Game and Mobile Development)
      • Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Civil Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Computer Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Electrical Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Mechanical Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Telecommunications Engineering
      • Healthcare
        • Bachelor of Nursing (Conversion)
      • Information Technology
        • Bachelor of Business Information Systems
      • Media & Design
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Digital and Social Media)
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Marketing Communication and Advertising)
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Screen Media Production)
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Visual Communication Design)
    • Masters
      • Business & Commerce
        • Global Executive Master of Luxury Management (GEMLux)
        • Master of Applied Finance (Corporate Treasury)
        • Master of Applied Finance (Investing)
        • Master of Business Administration
        • Master of Business Analytics
        • Master of Financial Management
        • Master of Human Resource Management
        • Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
        • Master of International Business
        • Master of Management
        • Master of Marketing
        • Master of Supply Chain Management
      • Education
        • Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies
        • Master of Educational Studies
      • Engineering
        • Master of Engineering Management
      • Healthcare
        • Master of Nursing
      • Information Technology
        • Master of Information Technology Management
      • Media & Design
        • Master of Media and Communication
      • Political Science
        • Master of International Relations
    • Doctorate
      • Business
        • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Graduate Certificates
      • Graduate Certificate in Business
      • Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
      • Graduate Certificate in Marketing
    • Pathway Programs
      • NCUK - International Foundation Year
      • UOWD Freshman Year
  • Training
    • Study English
    • English Testing
    • Languages
    • Short Courses
  • Join UOWD
    • Why UOWD
    • Fees
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Master's Degree
    • Admission Requirements
      • Bachelor’s Degrees
      • Master's Degrees
    • Scholarships
    • Education Agents
  • Student Life
    • Academic Calendar
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Master's Degree
    • International Students
    • Visas
    • Health Information
    • Student Accommodation
    • Career Development
    • Transportation
    • Clubs and Sports
    • Transfer to Australia
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Benefits
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Alumni Awards
    • Alumni Career Network
    • UOWD Graduates
  • Teaching
    • Faculties
    • Blended Learning
    • Library
    • Trimester System
    • Academic Integrity
  • Research
    • Research Sectors
    • Research Excellence
    • Research Interests
    • Research Projects
    • Research Grants
    • Research Awards
  • Media
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Gallery
    • Downloads
      • Annual Report
      • Brochures
      • Logos
  • Contact
    • Application Form
    • Online Payment
    • Feedback
    • Work at UOWD
  • Open Day: Saturday 23rd July, 2022 from 3pm to 7pm - Register now
Enquire Apply
UOWD News
  • Home
  • Media
  • News
  • Students’ software innovation helps underprivileged children in Uganda

Students’ software innovation helps underprivileged children in Uganda

Monday, 26 August, 2013


A team ofstudents from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has designed, developed and delivered a new software program to teach English as a second language to rescued children in Uganda. The Early Years Application (EYA) software, which uses artificial intelligence to create interactive learning exercises, was developed by a group of Information Systems students at UOWD, in collaboration with an Early Years teacher at Deira International School (DIS) in Dubai Festival City. The software went through a rigorous testing phase by UOWD at the school, before being deployed to an orphanage in Uganda, allowing underprivileged children to interact with technology and benefit from computer software in ways they would never normally experience. Alongside the custom software, the University donated a laptop and touch screen to the Home for Rescued Children in Uganda, an initiative by www.liveitupuganda.org. Dr Catherine Todd, Assistant Professor at UOWD and mentor of the student team that developed the software, reflected, “When we first started the EYA Program and turned on the Writing Module, in which a student can write a letter or word on the screen with their finger, the child squealed with absolute delight. “One of the children, Paul, is deaf and was severely burnt as a younger child. We could not take him away from the computer for most of the time he was there. He was just fascinated with it and wanted to learn, like all of the children that tried the software program and used the laptop we donated.” The EYA program was developed by Keerthi Prasad, S.M. Mushfiqur Rahman, and Redwan Hasan, as part of their final year studies at UOWD. The application won the People’s Choice Award at the seventh annual Software Development Tradeshow held at UOWD in June. Keerthi commented, “We set out to address one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals – universal primary education – because in a multicultural society such as Dubai, English language skills can provide a vital means of communication for children from many nationalities. We never imagined the project would be so successful and the software would travel so far, and we are very happy that our work has gone on to make such a difference to the lives of these young children.” Ms Sarah Bennett from DIS explained, “We set up a computer room at the Home. The space used to be an old storage area, and in March I went over with the intention of transforming it into a bright colourful learning environment. Some of these children have never seen or used a computer before and this donation will massively engage them in their learning at home.” It is the third time Sarah has visited the Home as a volunteer. She continued, “These children would not normally see a computer until the age of 14, and that’s if they’re lucky enough to afford to go to a school. Education in the early years is vital in securing a firm foundation for their future learning. Critical development happens in these years, due to the fact that English is their second language, having access to an interactive phonic program provides them with such an incredible advantage in their language development.” The EYA program is the first undergraduate project from the UAE that has ever been deployed to help disadvantaged children in sub-Saharan Africa, and that will continue to be used as a teaching aid for their education in the future. “The impact that this software and the computer room as a whole will have on life for these Ugandan children cannot be understated. It will help change their lives for the better”, Anouchka Lucas-Carter, a volunteer at the Home, commented. In the Media: Ugandan orphans receive gift of learning from Dubai students - The National Creating new learning opportunities - Gulf News

More News

17 May 2022
UOWD Partners with Clean Tech Start-Up FortyGuard to Fuel the Next Generation of Future Entrepreneurs

Students from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) are set to be exposed to the world of start-ups through internship placements with Fortyguard ...

Read More
10 May 2022
Stanley Black & Decker and Dabur International Put UOWD’s Marketing Students to the Test at Its 10th IAIC Program

Over 40 students across Marketing Principles and Principles of Marketing Management were given the opportunity to present ...

Read More
06 May 2022
Sustainable Business at the Forefront of UOWD’s MBA Networking Event

University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) recently highlighted the importance of networking through an event that saw the university’s MBA alumni ...

Read More
08 Apr 2022
UOWD Freshmen students visit Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve with Wildlife Specialist Dr Mohammad Ali Reza Khan

On Friday, 11 March 2022, select students from University of Wollongong in Dubai’s first batch of Freshmen program were invited to join prominent and award-winning ...

Read More
24 Mar 2022
UOW delegation discusses health-education priorities at Expo 2020 Dubai

Professor Patricia Davidson, Vice Chancellor and President University of Wollongong (UOW) led a joint team from UOW and the University of Wollongong in Dubai ...

Read More
22 Mar 2022
UOWD students receive most promising team award at UN Youth Hackathon

A team of Master of Business Analytics (MBAS) students from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has received the award for Most Promising Team ...

Read More
21 Mar 2022
UOWD celebrates staff contributions with Service and Values Awards

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has celebrated the outstanding contributions of members of staff during a recent ceremony of recognition ...

Read More
20 Mar 2022
UOWD students connect with senior leadership team

Students from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) have had the opportunity to meet and interact with senior leadership from the University of Wollongong ...

Read More
19 Mar 2022
UOWD showcases actions on equity and diversity

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) celebrated in January 2022, an important forum to celebrate the great work in Diversity, ...

Read More
18 Mar 2022
NCUK International Foundation Year Degree Pathway Showcases Borderless Opportunities for UOWD Students to Stand Out in Competitive Job Market

NCUK, a leading university consortium, unveiled its partnership with University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) during an official in-person inauguration ...

Read More
View All

Open Day

Do you know that our next Open Day is on Saturday 23rd July, 2022?
Join our experts to learn more about our degrees, and how you can enrol in our autumn intake which starts on 26th September.


Register Now Upcoming Open Days

Established in 1993, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is the first international Australian university in the UAE, and is now part of a global brand that has campuses in Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Location

University of Wollongong in Dubai is located in the heart of Dubai's vibrant education and training cluster, Dubai Knowledge Park.

Directions

Forms

Forms footer menu

  • Application Form
  • Visa Application Form
  • IELTS Application Form
  • Referee Report
  • Scholarship Form
Quick Links

Quick links footer menu

  • Our Campus
  • About Dubai
  • Mission & Vision
  • Career Paths
  • Payment
  • Events
  • News
  • Library
  • UniClinic
  • IT Services
  • Legal Services
  • Downloads
Contact us

University of Wollongong in Dubai
UOWD Building, Dubai Knowledge Park
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box 20183

Toll-free 800-UOWD, or +971 4 278 1800
[email protected]

Stay Connected
  • Copyright © 2022 University of Wollongong in Dubai

  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Site map

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Learn More