The UAE Higher Colleges of Technology announces 'e-ducation Without Borders 2003'

The event is expected to bring together over 400 students from 100 countries to participate in a unique gathering to promote the skills of the information age.

The three-day conference will be held in Abu Dhabi from February 22-24, 2003, and feature some of the world's greatest thinkers, business leaders and inspirational figures from around the world. The theme of the conference will discuss the importance of global relationships and the education of today's young people and the role that information technology can play to achieve these goals.

An opening address at the conference will be made by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

E-ducation Without Borders 2003 builds on the massive success of the first conference held in 2001 that brought together 210 students from 107 educational institutions in 47 countries.

Announcing details of the conference, Higher Colleges of Technology Vice Chancellor, Dr. Tayeb Kamali, said: "The great success of our inaugural event led to the decision to make the conference happen every two years. The e-ducation Without Borders conference has already made its mark among education institutions around the world and we are confident that we will double the number of students attending in February 2003.

"It has become clear in today's high technology world - a world where 70 per cent of all new business ideas come from students or fresh graduates - that it is more important than ever to create forums like the e-ducation Without Borders conference where talented young people can have influence and allow their voices to be heard.

"Students attending the conference all have the opportunity not just to listen and learn but to make their own presentations to their peers on the widest range of issues and to have these papers judged by a distinguished panel of international academic experts."

As the Internet continues to create unprecedented opportunities in education the UAE, through this pioneering conference concept is enhancing the country's growing reputation as a hub for excellence in information technology and the creation of a knowledge economy.

Guest speakers will include:

Dr Edward de Bono - widely regarded as the world's leading authority on constructive thinking.

Dr Bernard Harris - a veteran space shuttle astronaut who has travelled 7.2 million miles in space.

Ms Liz Mohn - Supervisory Board Member of Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's largest multi-media organisations.

Dr Tayeb Kamali added: "This conference is all about how the students of today can harness the power of information technology and develop the necessary skills for lifelong learning.

"Today as never before young people have the opportunity to learn in a truly global environment thanks to the development of the Internet and the introduction of e-learning. Our truly international conference brings together some of the best young minds from all over the world to the UAE to help foster the creation and sharing of ideas and knowledge."

The three-day conference will be held in Federal National Council building in Abu Dhabi and will include a spectacular opening ceremony and gala dinner for participants on 22 February. A number of special awards will be presented to students judged to have presented outstanding papers during the conference and will be presented by HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.

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