Abu Dhabi: In their aim to become one of the top five international educational institutions, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is in the process of forming an academic and scientific research committee for universities across the Emirate.

As part of that plan, Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Director General of ADEC signed a service agreement with the Statistics Center Abu Dhabi (SCAD) to help foster mutual cooperation and regulate data exchange.

The agreement is expected to provide the public with updated information on all areas of education including: updated data and information on schools, classrooms, students, staff, special needs students, number of literacy and adult education centers, student results, qualified teaching staff, and drop-outs - which will be classified by SCAD according to region, type of education, cycle, gender and nationality.

"We cannot form a scientific research committee nor a proper infrastructure without the availability of accurate data, which is in line with international standards. SCAD will help us reduce errors, keep up with changes in education, and meet our market expectations in a timely manner," said Dr. Al Khaili yesterday.

SCAD, a local government entity established under Law No. (7) 2008 to develop and organize statistical work for public entities, is consistent with the emirate's orientation towards sustainable development and strategic plans under the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

In their aim to develop and organize a standardization statistical system, SCAD has so far partnered with some of the major public entities in the Emirate, including the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Tawteen, the Judiciary Department and the Department of Economy.

"We are responsible for the collection, classification, storage, analysis and dissemination of official statistics and the release of the results of social, demographic, economic, environmental and cultural surveys. SCAD is due to partner with another 21 authorities in and can help contribute towards e-link projects," said Ahmad Bin Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of SCAD.