UAE launches first electronic schoolbook

[Alexander Turcic]

While the United Arab Emirates are known around the world for their rich oil reserves and for luxury hotels, they are probably less known for being official supporters of the e-book movement. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid (who has also good taste in boats btw), the "e-Zayed book" was launched in Dubai this week - a flash memory disk that contains study material of various subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology, math, and Arabic and English languages, taught in public schools. According to Sawsan Al Rahma, director of the project,

"We have to find ways to exploit technology to motivate students to read and learn. Unfortunately, the Arab world is known for spending more time in eating than in reading."

Wise words which can be applied universally to every rich countries around the world.