SunGard Higher Education Middle East User Group Conference to help promote collaboration among regional colleges and universities

SunGard Higher Education will host its fifth-annual SunGard Higher Education Middle East User Group meeting at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel & Suites December 11-13, 2006 in Dubai.

Participants from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa will address emerging trends and issues in higher education and showcase achievements working with SunGard Higher Education solutions. SunGard Higher Education staff will facilitate demonstrations and discussions on planned product updates and development directions.

The conference will also offer demonstrations and discussions focusing on solutions from Sun Microsystems, International Turnkey System, AppWorx, Infosilem and Residential Management System. Officials from Knowledge Village, part of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, will participate in the conference and host an executive dinner.

"Real success occurs not just with the application of technology but with the true solutions that are built to address institutional challenges," explained Dr. Warren H. Fox, executive director, Office of Higher Education Policy and Planning, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

"The meetings and workshops at the SunGard Higher Education's User Group conference showcase successful IT applications and the exploration of new possibilities to further education in our region. This user group provides an excellent opportunity for those who have the responsibility and experience to share success strategies and IT solutions with their colleagues,"

added Dr. Fox.

"Over the past 15 years, IT resources have contributed greatly in enhancing the quality of academic programs by providing universities with online capabilities for exams, grading, and attendance," explained Dr. Ayoub Kazim, executive director, Dubai Knowledge Village. "More recently, the last five years has seen the higher education sector in the region expand quite significantly. There is a wide selection of higher education institutions, diversified academic programs, and progress in attitudes toward investing in IT resources within the region," added Dr. Ayoub.

"Institutions are recognising the valuable role that technology plays in supporting the higher education 'renaissance' across the Middle East and Africa," said Mathew Boice, general manager for marketing and channel sales, EMEA, SunGard Higher Education. "Our leading solutions have been implemented in some of the region's top universities and colleges and we hope to help many more. At the conference we will share our vision of the Unified Digital Campus and examine how technology can help institutions achieve their strategic objectives and fulfil their mandates within higher education."