Edutech to launch Arabic-enabled version of Blackboard Academic Suite across the Middle East

The bundle of programs is expected to create a major impact and enhance the overall learning process in the region's universities, as they provide advanced teaching tools, allow users to share educational content and build a learning community among others. The Arabic-enabled version will be formally launched at the first Blackboard Summit Middle East, scheduled to be held during September 5-6, 2007 in Dubai.

With an Arabic user interface, students and teachers from the Middle East region can easily adopt the technology and utilize it effectively to produce better results. The new Arabic version allows users to view all features and tools in the Learning, Community and Content systems from right to left according to the orientation of the Arabic written language. The Arabic Language Pack can be selected at the system, course and user level, providing flexibility to all users to choose their preferred language. Edutech's dedicated team of engineers will ensure that the advanced system will be seamlessly implemented and integrated into an institution's existing infrastructure.

"Higher education institutions across the region are making tremendous strides in utilizing state-of-the-art technologies that enhance teaching, administrative and student experience. Our strong partnership with Blackboard enables us to bring the latest technology-enabled tools for education institutions in line with our commitment towards the progress of the education sector,"

said ASF Karim, Managing Director, Edutech.

"With 60 per cent of the population in the GCC under 16 years old, academic institutions face a tremendous challenge to develop a well-educated generation who will be able to actively take part in creating a knowledge economy and interact in a global society. The youth today are very adept in using technology, and institutions can further their mission and goals by using technology-enabled tools for learning purposes. The Academic Suite, for instance, takes e-learning to a higher level by offering a platform for learners and mentors to build a learning community and share best practices," added Karim.

The Blackboard Middle East Summit will bring together delegates spanning eight countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, to learn about innovations in e-Learning. Blackboard President and CEO Michael Chasen is expected to deliver the keynote address at the conference about e-Learning trends such as the use of Web 2.0 technology in education, and present new Blackboard product innovations including SafeAssign™, a new plagiarism prevention service. Moreover, with more than 30 academic institutions in the Middle East relying on Blackboard technology, the launch of the Arabic-enabled solution is expected to further boost adoption of Blackboard's solutions while reaffirming the company's leadership position.

"It is very exciting to work with academic institutions around the world, to learn about different cultures and education systems and help provide technology to continually expand educational opportunities," said Michael Chasen. "We look forward to continuing to build upon the relationships we have formed in the Middle East, and other parts of the world to enhance teaching and learning for people everywhere."

Since its foundation in 1997, Blackboard has enabled innovations in education by providing a link between people and technology and has helped institutions as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve the sector's demands. The US-based firm is now a recognized leader in enterprise software applications and related services that are targeted at the specific demands of the education sector and maintains offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Edutech recently organized the first Blackboard CEO Forum at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, which was aimed at providing a forum for key decision-makers from the region's leading universities to discuss the challenges of e-learning and the technological solutions available in the market today such as Blackboard's Academic Suite, Web 2.0 and e-learning 2.0 among others. The topics discussed included enhancing student's learning experience, improving institutional accountability and increasing an institution's resource and revenue.

"According to a recent study, the value of the private education sector in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia is estimated to reach at least USD 114 billion (AED419 billion) by 2015. The public sector is also expected to invest heavily on technology in order to uphold world-class standards and keep pace with its private counterparts. These present huge market opportunities for our technology-enabled solutions such as the Arabic Blackboard Academic Suite, and we expect to generate maximum response from leading institutions across the region," concluded Karim.