International Education Experts gather at GEF 2010

This year’s Global Education Forum (GEF), held in partnership with the Ministry of Education and F&E, the organisers of the region’s foremost education forum, has revealed a world class line up of key note speakers for this year’s event. GEF brings renowned international speakers to the region to address the key areas of education reform and development.
“This year’s key notes speakers selected to participate at GEF represent some of the most renowned global experts in their fields, currently working to shape the educational landscape internationally. We are delighted to bring such specialists to the region, in many cases for the first time. GEF has succeeded in establishing itself as a key platform for education debate and development in the region since its inception three years ago” said Dr. Abdalla AlAmiri, Advisor to the Minister of Education and General Chair of the Forum.
Among this year’s line-up of speakers addressing education professionals in the UAE and the GCC states include:
Dominic Savage, OBE, Director General, British Education Suppliers Association, the UK trade association for the educational equipment and technology industry. Dominic Savage sits on a variety of UK government committees and working groups on education, particularly in relation to new technologies, and international trade and has accompanied a number of UK Ministerial delegations to the Middle East during his thirty year career in education.
Beat Jost, As Director General of the Worlddidac Association, Jost has led the Worlddidac Associa¬tion’s achievements in improving education and training through aligning the products of leading manufacturers in educational resources with the needs of schools, education systems and even whole countries.
Greg Butler, Education Director, Microsoft Education is currently responsible for education and government relations development for the Microsoft Education Product Group. In this role, Butler develops strategic partnerships and programs that align Microsoft’s Citizenship activities and Commercial efforts. Through this role Butler works with key global organisations such as UNESCO, World Bank, European Union and OECD.
John Botham, OBE, is recognised internationally as a leader in the application of education technology and design of media areas in education institutions. He has guided schools, government organisations and technology leaders as they plan to improve quality through technology in education.
Birgit A. Ertl, Director of The Children’s Garden (TCG) and Taaleem’s Early Childhood Department is involved in reinventing the scope of Early Years education with an emphasis on delivering learning that focuses on the needs of individual children.
Rhona Greenhill, Conference Director, F&E commented: “GEF is at the heart of the Gulf Education Supplies and Solutions Show (GESS) and is the region’s leading platform for debate, knowledge, skills and experience that informs and guides educators. Such is the caliber of the forum that we have attracted world class speakers from across the globe to participate in the event and help shape the education landscape both regionally and internationally. GEF represents a key platform for educational practice at the highest level and is a must attend event for educationalists across the region.”
In addition to international experts, this year’s forum also attracts renowned Arab educationalists from across the region.
GESS 2010 will run from 23-25 February 2010 in conjunction with GEF at the Airport Expo Centre, Dubai.