Apple launches online education store

In addition to a 5% discount being offered to students and teachers, ABM is offering a 10% discount for those signed up to the Apple On-Campus program. This program offers students, teachers, administrators and staff members special pricing on the full range of Apple computers, plus select third-party products. Education customers can also claim their discounts in retail shops across the Middle East by showing their university ID.

The website presents a new channel through which customers can shop for Apple products, and will be available exclusively to students and teachers in the UAE in its initial stages.

Patrick Beyrouti, Education Manager, Arab Business Machine Ltd (ABM) commented on the changing trends in the education field, saying, "Students in this region are becoming more and more technologically advanced and as a result, they are adjusting their study habits to fit in with their more digitally focused lifestyles."

"A new generation of students expects a learning environment that integrates today's digital tools, accommodates a mobile lifestyle, adapts to individual learning styles and encourages collaboration and teamwork."

"At this stage, only Apple product and solutions provide all the resources that educators need to create a twenty-first century learning environment with reliable, cost-effective hardware, built-in digital authoring tools, basic skills solutions, distribution, access and management products, including professional development tools," adds Beyrouti.

There is a growing number of educational institutions in the Middle East offering more chances at a higher education. Education hubs are emerging across the region and Apple's immersion in the Middle East education market is one of the ways in which it hopes to enrich academic lives through Apple technologies.

"The students of today will be the decision-makers of tomorrow; we recognize the importance of technological support for the education market in this region, and are excited to be a part of its development and expansion,"

says Beyrouti.

"urging educational institutions and individuals to adopt Apple early on; eventually the graduating students will be demanding and using Apple hardware and software products in their jobs." he added.