Al Jalila Foundation announces launch of its Ta'alouf Parents Training

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, has announced the launch of its first training course taking place for parents of children with special needs as part of the Foundation's Ta'alouf programme.

The course spans 12 weeks and provides behavioural training for these parents to empower them with life-changing skills. As part of its sponsorship, Al Jalila Foundation has committed to providing training for 400 parents of all nationalities over a period of four years. The course is being conducted in collaboration with the British University in Dubai (BUiD), the Middle East's first research based postgraduate university, and is designed and led by Professor Eman Gaad, Dean of Faculty of Education and the Head of the Doctoral Programme at BUiD.


Ta'alouf, which means �harmony' in Arabic, is Al Jalila Foundation's flagship community programme, which was announced in June 2013, starts today with the parents training course. Established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, Al Jalila Foundation is committed to fostering a unified and inclusive society where parents, educators, strategic partners and the wider community work together to empower children with disabilities. 



The training provided through this collaboration enables parents to complement the efforts of educators and caregivers for a continuum of care between the child's home and school. The first 12-week professional course includes 55 parents of children with varying special needs and will cover a range of professional behavioural skills that will allow parents to better address their children's needs. Among the participants are Sonia Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the UAE Down Syndrome Association, and Fatima Rashed Al Matrooshi, Chairperson of the Emirates Autism Society. 



Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: "This training is deeply rooted in our premise that learning is not only confined to the classroom because, even at home, children are in a continuous process of intellectual growth in which parental engagement is essential. This parent-centred course will allow parents to be more perceptive in interpreting their children's behavioural cues, thus making the learning process more interactive." Professor Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice Chancellor of BUiD, added: "The British University in Dubai believes that all students, including those with disabilities and special learning needs, are entitled to an excellent education. Equipping parents with the tools and knowledge required to provide their children with a genuine opportunity to succeed is a vital part of this educational success. In responding to this vision, we are very proud to be Al Jalila Foundation's partner in this wonderful initiative." Sonia Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the UAE Down Syndrome Association, added: "Parents face challenges, stigmas and alienation and they need support that will enable them to be better equipped to assimilate information and act on behalf of their children. Increasingly, communities are recognising the critical need for inclusion - these courses are providing that necessary bridge between parents and school, addressing the needs of these children." Fatima Rashed Al Matrooshi, Chairperson of the Emirates Autism Society, stated: "There have been significant developments in the education of students with special educational needs in recent years. Keeping track of these developments and getting involved in your child's special education are among the most important things you can do as a parent. I would like to thank Al Jalila Foundation for introducing this very important initiative to the UAE." This latest collaboration marks another significant milestone for Al Jalila Foundation since its launch on 1 April 2013. The cumulative effect of the parents' training will advance the organisation towards its overall aim of impacting lives across the UAE population through medical education and research. 

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