FVC & Pplycom showcase the future of education at the 2007 bi-annual Education Without Borders Conference in Abu Dhabi

The bi-annual conference which included more than 1,000 high-achieving students and professionals from over 100 countries convened in order to seek Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges.

The event held unique and collaborative forums featuring prominent guest speakers, student presentations, stimulating debates, interactive workshops and Arabian cultural activities. Leaders of business, education, NGOs, government, and technology from six continents, were all brought together hoping to create networks and innovations which would positively impact communities and individuals around the globe.

'Effective dissemination of knowledge and information plays an important role for any organisation or industry, especially the education sector,' said K.S Parag Managing Director of FVC. 'Polycom have solutions and tools available that eliminate the barriers of time, distance, and resources, and allows educators and students worldwide to collaborate as if they were in the same room.'

'Education Without Borders' is one of the largest student-organized, humanitarian conferences in the world and is entirely organised by students for students. It uses education and technology to help create a world in which all people can lead free and dignified lives.

'To allow students whom may be located in an auditorium here in Abu Dhabi the chance to interact with lecturers whom may be in another city on another continent in real time, certainly creates an efficient age for learning.' Parag went on to add, 'this would allow students meaningful access to experts and specialists from certain fields which they would never had access to in the past. Bridging gaps such as these with technology is in true essence harnessing education without borders.'

The students had the opportunity to hear from a host of keynote speakers from across many disciplines and fields such as 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Professor Muhammad Yunus, Placido Domingo world-renowned award-winning singer and conductor, Dr Shashi Tharoor an official candidate of India for the succession to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Chris Cramer Managing Director of CNN International, just to name but a few.

The event will return to the UAE in 2009