The Ministry of Education unveils line up for GEF & GESS 2011

Dubai, UAE, 13 April 2011 – The Ministry of Education, in partnership with F&E, today officially launched the 4th edition of the Global Education Forum (GEF) and the Gulf Educational Supplies & Solution (GESS) show by unveiling this year’s high profile key note speakers. The show, which is the region’s leading education exhibition and conference, will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The event which will take place from 3-5 May 2011 will see world-class speakers gather in the UAE to present case studies, research and best practice to the region’s education sector. This year’s line-up includes published authors such as Dr Khalifa Ali Alsuwaidi, Assistant Professor at Department of Curriculum and Instruction, United Arab Emirates University and Dr Meshgan Mohammed Al Awar, Director of Research and Studies Centre at the Dubai Police Academy. Among the renowned international speakers speaking at GEF is Professor Cheng Yin Cheong, Vice President and Chair Professor of Leadership and Change, The Hong Kong Institute of Education.

This year’s event focuses on three hot topics shaping the Middle East education landscape in 2011 and beyond, namely Special Needs Education, Sustainable Education and Education for Employability. Highlights from the forum will include roundtable sessions for regional participants to share ideas with some of the Gulf’s leading educationalists covering the theme of this year’s forum, which is ‘Education in a knowledge society’.

Clive Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, F&E commented:“The Middle East education landscape is among one of the most rapidly changing academic environments worldwide and GEF is at the very heart of the sector transformation. Serving as an ideal platform for regional educationalists to share best practices with their global peers, GESS and GEF have done more than any other event in the region to spearhead educational development through public private partnerships.”

“Since the launch of the first event in 2008, the forum has become a must-attend event for all educational professionals with an interest in learning about the latest technologies and innovations in the constantly evolving education sector. We are proud to be here today to launch the 4^th edition of the event, and we hope that all those attending the show this year will find the experience a beneficial and rewarding one”.

GESS 2011 will see 30 countries represented at the event. With more than 250 exhibitors taking part this year, the event has seen a 15 percent increase in stand space compared to 2010. Exhibitors at the show will include suppliers for ICT solutions, school management software, interactive technology, educational toys and games, vocational training as well as sports and laboratory equipment. In terms of new exhibitors, key newcomers this year include Arab Business Machine, Yas Marina Circuit, Oxford University Press and Panasonic.

Other key components of this year’s event include; interactive demonstrations on new teaching technologies such as Hand-Held Learning which focuses on practical strategies for mobile learning. Visitors to this year’s show will also be able to experience the GESS Interactive Classroom, designed to provide teachers with a unique opportunity to improve their knowledge and handling of technology in the classroom. Also new to this year’s show is the presentation theatre located in the heart of the exhibition floor which will be dedicated to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Speaking at the press conference, His Excellency, Humaid Moh'd Al Qutami, UAE Minister of Education commented: “The Ministry of Education is committed to introducing technology throughout UAE schools to provide advanced learning opportunities for students. The selection of "Education in a knowledge society,” as a key theme for this year’s event and  is testament to the importance placed on embracing new channels and the ongoing dialogue between education experts and education decision makers to identify the latest solutions and technologies for use in our educational institutions.”

Attendance to the event continues to grow year on year, with a similar growth trend expected this year.

For further information on GESS and GEF 2011, including a full conference schedule for all speakers and information on how to book sessions in advance, please visit: www.gesseducation.com