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Dubai-based GAC partners with leading edge suppliers for its virtual corporate university

  • United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, May 15 - 2007 at 11:04
  • PRESS RELEASE

UAE-based global shipping, logistics, and marine services provider GAC Group has partnered with eLearning content provider SkillSoft and Moodle partner Catalyst to create its online global training academy, GAC Corporate Academy (GCA).

The idea for GCA was first developed in early 2006 as part of the company's ongoing globalisation strategy. Following an in-depth analysis of GAC's human resource development requirements and extensive research of the best eLearning options available, SkillSoft and Catalyst were chosen as the ideal partners.

SkillSoft is one of the largest and most professional eLearning content providers in the world. Their courseware is used extensively by the most progressive companies who have greatly benefited from the power and flexibility of eLearning.

"In today's fast-paced and rapidly changing global business environment, there is a real need for organisations to continuously upgrade the knowledge and skills of their people. That's why it is great to see progressive organisations like GAC taking leadership in their industry to ensure personnel are equipped with cutting edge professional development," said Kevin Young, General Manager of SkillSoft, EMEA.

He added "Our research has shown that when employees are given the opportunity to develop their careers, they are significantly more productive and more likely to remain loyal to that company. In the future, online learning will form the single, largest part of most organisations' training."

Given GAC's geographic spread, it was important to source a cost effective and flexible eLearning platform. Moodle (Modular Object-Orientated Dynamic Learning Environment) is the fastest growing open source Learning Management System. An Internet-based system, it is used all over the world by universities, schools, companies and independent teachers.

"New Zealand is one of the most progressive countries in the world when it comes to eLearning and open source technologies," said Damien O'Donoghue, GCA's General Manager.

He added "New Zealand-based Catalyst has extensive experience with Moodle and we were impressed by the number of higher education establishments that work with them."

Mike O'Connor, Director, Catalyst said "GCA supports a truly global user base and it has been a new and worthwhile challenge to architect their Moodle to deliver a consistently efficient and robust service across all geographical regions."

Damien O'Donoghue said:

"We have had an overwhelming response to the GCA from both employees and suppliers alike, since its launch on 28 February 2007. Our first courses began in March and because of the enthusiastic responses, we are already increasing our capability to support demand."


GAC hopes to eventually provide access to its GCA courses to partners, customers and other stakeholders who wish to benefit from state-of-the-art courses focusing on aspects of shipping, logistics and marine.
Damien O'Donoghue. 
Damien O'Donoghue.
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Notes and Media Contacts »

About the GAC Corporate Academy
The GAC Corporate Academy (GCA) offers learning opportunities to GAC employees around the world. The Academy is an online university that enables participants to enhance their work skills and fast-track their professional development in a learning environment that transcends borders and cost restraints.

The Academy has been designed to maximise the potential of talented GAC employees, and give them the opportunity to grow through harnessing the power of eLearning in cross-cultural settings. By encouraging employees to take a proactive interest in their own professional development, GCA fosters a culture of lifelong learning.

GCA offers programmes in Leadership Development, Professional Development and a unique GAC Professional Induction programme for newcomers to the GAC world. Participants select a combination of courses best suited to their professional goals. All GCA courses are facilitated by certified industry and professional specialists to ensure participants gain exposure to contemporary and emerging trends both within and beyond the GAC World.

The GCA programmes make the most of technology to eliminate geographical and cost constraints, operating through a sophisticated Learning Management System environment where participants join a virtual classroom.

For more information about the GCA, visit www.gacacademy.com


About the GAC Group
The GAC Group (GAC) is the world's largest independent shipping, logistics and marine services provider, with over 260 offices worldwide.

Established in 1956, GAC's core business covers three key areas - shipping, logistics and marine services. The GAC brand reflects value for money, quality, continuity, innovation and global reach.

GAC employs more than 7,300 people worldwide. The GAC Group corporate head office is in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. For more information about GAC, visit www.gacworld.com


About SkillSoft
SkillSoft is a leading provider of comprehensive eLearning content and technology products for business and IT professionals within global enterprises. SkillSoft's multi-modal learning solutions support and enhance the speed and effectiveness of both formal and informal learning processes and integrate SkillSoft's in-depth content resources, learning management system, virtual classroom technology and support services.

Content offerings include SkillSoft's business, IT, desktop and compliance courseware collections and BusinessPro™, ITPro™, OfficeEssentials™, FinancePro™, EngineeringPro™, GovEssentials™, ExecSummaries™, ExecBlueprints™ and AnalystPerspecitves™ collections from Books24x7®. SkillSoft's complementary technologies include SkillPort®, the company's learning management system with its powerful Search-and-Learn™ technology and premium add-on modules, and SkillSoft® Dialogue™ virtual classroom, a tool that allows customers to create and deliver effective blended learning programs using custom content and off-the-shelf learning resources. For more information, visit www.skillsoft.com


About Catalyst
Catalyst is a highly experienced New Zealand company offering development, hosting and customisation of Moodle platforms to organisations and universities around the world. Catalyst's clients and services cover mobile telecommunications, the media industry, on-line commerce, on-line education and government organisations in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and United Arab Emirates.

Catalyst has had several years involvement with Moodle - an open source Learning Management System, helping educators create effective online learning communities. In that time they have become Moodle Developers and have built up a Moodle hosting infrastructure that offers robustness, performance, scalability and full redundancy via a remote disaster recovery site.

For more information visit www.catalyst.net.nz and www.moodle.org

Media Contacts:

Hwee San Teng
GAC
Tel: 9714 - 8059452
Fax: 9714 - 8811177

Sue-Ellen Lazrado
Headline Public Relations
Tel: 9714 - 2289655 Ext 120
Fax: 9714 - 2282125

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