Six industry-leading keynote speakers from over five countries scheduled to present 12 lectures
“Teaching and Learning in the Knowledge and Technology Era”: Focus for the 2012 Forum
The UAE Ministry of Education, in collaboration with F&E Education, today announced new programme details for the Global Education Forum (GEF), scheduled to take place alongside the Gulf Educational Supplies & Solutions (GESS) exhibition from 28th February- 1st March, 2012 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Also in attendance at the press conference were event sponsors Etisalat, ICT Fund, Sarjah Islamic Bank and Commercial Bank of Dubai.
Organised under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and with support of His Excellency Humaid AlQattami, Minister of Education for the United Arab Emirates, the fifth edition of GEF will this year focus on the technological evolution within education under the banner, “Teaching and Learning in the Knowledge and Technology Era”.
Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education, UAE, said: “The nation’s education sector has developed beyond recognition in the last four decades. In recent years, we have seen an accelerated advancement; new teaching methods combined with new technologies and ever greater access to information are transforming our classrooms and colleges. With the Global Education Forum we have an industry leading event, where people from across the region’s educational sphere can gather to debate the state of the sector and how we can develop still further as educators.
“Our participation in GEF is one of the many ways in which the Ministry of Education is working to support our schools, universities and institutions, as well as our students, teachers and parents. This year’s Forum will bring welcome insights about where our sector is heading, and what that means for the future of our educational systems.”
Running alongside GESS, GEF brings together more than 100 industry leaders, and provides a platform to discuss best-practices, teaching trends and the challenges the education sector faces. The Forum is open to teachers, school management, lecturers and other educationalists from across the GCC.
Sector experts from more than five countries – including the UK, the US and Finland will present at the event. These include keynote speakers Geoff Stead, Head of Innovation, Tribal; Elise Tarvainen, Director of Global Operations, EduCluster Finland Ltd; Prof. Abdullateef Hussain Haidar Al Hakimi, PhD, Professor of Science Education at Sanaa University; Dr. Khalifa Ali Alsuwaidi, Assistant Professor at Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Faculty of Education, United Arab Emirates University; and Dr. Khalid Ibrahim Al Awwad, Member of Shura Council, and Head of Masarat Group for Research and Development will be presenting at the Forum.
During GEF, more than 160 papers will be presented, including exhibitor lectures, teacher training workshops, and mobile learning features. Industry topics include: social media in learning, the role of smart phone applications in the classroom, integrating iPads into modern education, and technology-assisted teaching and learning.
Now in its fifth year, GEF is recognised as one of the leading professional development forums in the region. Clive Richardson, CEO of event organisers F&E Education explained: “GEF has established itself as the event for high-level education debates and professional development for educationalists. This year’s line-up of speakers includes industry professionals who bring unparalleled qualifications and experience to the table. Inspired by this year’s theme of technology in the classroom, we have called upon some of the industry’s leading specialists to lend their knowledge and expertise to the event. We know that this issue is something that Forum visitors are anxious to learn more about, given its critical impact on the future of the sector.”
Rhona Greenhill, Conference Director for the Global Education Forum, added:“We are living in an era in which technology plays a key role in our daily lives, and will continue to do so in the future. Many schools and educational organisations across the region are already using technology to engage and excite young minds. It is our hope that GEF will encourage others to follow along in the same direction.”
GESS and the Global Education Forum will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 February to 1 March, 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.gesseducation.com
