F&E in regional B2B education initiative

GESS, which will deliver an insight into educational institutions of the future, has already won a powerful local and international support lobby that has quickly positioned it as the Middle East's premier educational supplies and solutions event.

It has the official support of the UAE Ministry of Education, which views it as backing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to deliver a knowledge-based society; the British Educational Supplies Association (BESA), which boasts over 260 members; UK Trade & Investment, the government body charged with assisting British companies to succeed in a global economy; and Worlddidac - the global trade association for the education industry.

"This is the right initiative at the right time," said Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E. "United Nations Development Programme statistics put current GCC population growth at 3.5% per annum - one of the highest in the world - with 60% of the GCC's total population of 35.14 million currently under 16 years of age.

"Throughout the GCC: from the UAE with its Abu Dhabi Education Council initiative to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid's US $10 billion foundation to invest in knowledge development; to Qatar where the Foundation for Education and Science is making huge strides; to Bahrain where a centre for the gifted and talented is on the cards and Saudi Arabia where 11 universities are to open in the next three years; from Oman, which is focussing on technical and vocational training; to Kuwait, where 30% of the population is now undertaking educational progression, the commitment is the same: Education is being prioritised to build intellectual capital enabling nationals to better interact in a global society."

"GESS comes as the Middle East, and the Gulf in particular, is undergoing exceptional growth and regional governments are determined to ensure that their people have access to the best educational resources, technologies and facilities in the world. This, in turn, has spurred rapid upgrading within the private sector.

"In the UAE alone, more than US$1 billion has been allocated to the development of education in state schools this year. Additionally, rapid population growth has led to a number of new public and private sector schools being built.

"All this development has resulted in massive demand for educational products and services and yet the suppliers have not, to date, had a dedicated forum in which to demonstrate their products and expertise - GESS bridges this gap," said Kern.

GESS is aimed at bringing international suppliers to the region to meet senior education sector decision-makers and explore new B2B opportunities. The event will feature every aspect of supply, learning resources, school design, build and solutions for the overall educational environment to develop the sector for the future.

The powerful GESS support lobby is expected to deliver an event of the highest calibre both in terms of exhibitor and visitor turnout with the show embracing the entire educational spectrum with a core focus on innovation.

"The Ministry of Education is the driving force behind the development of the UAE's learning facilities. We believe that constant improvement in the learning environment for UAE citizens is a top priority. Investment continues at all levels of education and we support the efforts of the Gulf Educational Supplies Show to attract new technologies, services and products into the region," said His Excellency, Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali, UAE Minister of Education.

News of the arrival of GESS, which will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah Dubai from January 22-24, has already been welcomed by members of the event's international support lobby.

"World over, education is one of the vital sectors for the development of a nation and it is even more important in the Middle East - where one in every three people living in the region is between the ages 10 and 24," said Dominic Savage, Director General, BESA.

"It is crucial for regional governments and ministries to ensure that this young population gets access to the best education to drive forward economic and social development. A trade event such as GESS will ensure that regional decision-makers always have access to the best educational products, tools and training from the best leading global educationalists."

Worlddidac says international support is not confined to the UK, but is Europe-wide.

"Companies developing state-of-the-art products and services for schools, colleges and universities are eager to make contact with local and regional education sector officials," explained Worlddidac's Executive Director, Beat Jost.

Major UAE sector players, including Al Mazrouei and Edutech, have already confirmed GESS participation while other exhibitors are being contracted from Austria, China, India, Korea, Oman, Sweden, Turkey, the UK and the United States.

Running alongside the exhibition, GEF will feature a comprehensive programme of seminars and workshops.

"These sessions will leverage the experience of international practitioners and suppliers offering practical solutions to develop a holistic approach to collaboration between education decision-makers within both the public and private sectors throughout the region,"

added Kern.

The conference and workshop programme has been designed with cross-sector appeal for the independent, private and public sectors. Delegates will include government and ministerial officials, school heads, teaching faculties, bursars, and educational specialists in areas such as special needs, sports and school counselling.

The conference will probe key issues impacting the academic world, including: Developing Schools for the Future and Vocational Education.

Workshop session leaders include prominent training and educational institutions such as the UK's Beacon Schools, the UAE's GEMS Education as well as Sweden's MKFC.

Sessions will span a wide-range of topics, including: Information Communication Technology, (White Boards, Data Loggers and Voting Systems); Science; English Language Training; International Computer Driving Licence; School Management Systems; New Developments in Teaching Techniques; Special Educational Needs; Professional Development and a unique feature on Procurement Advice.

"GESS and GEF will become highly productive forums for the ongoing development of this region's education sector. They will give a glimpse of education to come and enable professionals within the Middle East to ensure they are up-to-date with cutting-edge standards within their chosen vocation. They will be educational forums for educators," added Kern.