Abu Dhabi has invested over AED 12M in early-year projects within the past three years, as revealed by the emirate’s Early Childhood Authority (ECA).
The ECA has financially supported 18 projects, covering diverse subjects such as the influence of fathers in child development, language development in Emirati children, and reasons for school absenteeism.
ECA Launches Awareness Campaign for Robust Research Culture in Abu Dhabi
The authority has initiated an awareness campaign to promote a flourishing research culture and ecosystem, involving community events across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.
The ongoing initiative seeks to attract individuals from various walks of life to engage in research focused on early childhood development, spanning from birth to eight years old.
The ECA is poised to announce its annual call for grant proposals, urging researchers to submit ideas for funding, with a focus on collaborating with institutions like Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Zayed University.
Hamda Al Suwaidi, head of data and research at ECA, underscores the effort to bridge the gap between government, academia, and the community to enhance policies and programs related to early childhood development.
ECA Aims to Diversify Research Horizons, Embracing AI and Engineering
The goal is to encourage rigorous research, incorporating disciplines beyond traditional realms such as psychology and education, and exploring areas like artificial intelligence and engineering.
In a bid to foster collaboration, the ECA has organized workshops in partnership with Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Zayed University, according to The National News.
The focus extends beyond conventional research areas, with recent emphasis on understanding the experiences of fathers in parenting, addressing a gap often overshadowed by extensive research on mothers.
A key challenge identified by Ms. Al Suwaidi is research allocation and coordination. The ECA’s campaign aims to establish a robust and integrated research ecosystem for early childhood development, aiming to contribute scientific evidence supporting the emirate’s health policies, particularly for the youngest members of the community.
A recent research retreat and a government round-table discussion highlighted the importance of partnerships across academic disciplines to strengthen research in early childhood development.
Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary at the Department of Health, emphasized the role of evidence-based scientific research in shaping policies and efforts to provide quality and reliable healthcare for the community.
