Global Education Forum (GEF) and GESS 2009 bring international perspective on key education issues

GEF, a series of seminars and workshops for teachers and educationalists has been officially announced by Dr Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Education. As the intellectual hub of the GESS event, GEF provides a unique platform for all educational issues within the UAE, where experts can share their ideas, vision for the future and hands on experience with the region's professionals.

The plenary sessions, workshops and master classes provide the most comprehensive schedule of activity and information available within the region.

"We, in the Ministry of Education strongly encourage such important events every year as we believe that the UAE occupies a unique strategic location regionally and internationally. The UAE also witnesses great achievements and accomplishments in various fields and that places us as one of the more economically developed countries thanks to the wise leadership and continuous support,"

Dr. Hassan said.

The plenary sessions during GEF will cover topics such as 'Living on the Future Edge' thinking about tomorrow today; Administrational Techniques in Education; Contemporary Versus Traditional Techniques; ICT Past, Present and Future; Virtual or Traditional Teaching Methods and Setting Standards and a preview of the new ISTE Standards. Each keynote speaker will run workshops in addition to their presentations.

"Education is the absolute key to the advancement and development of society. All civilised societies invest heavily in their education system, and strive to develop and progress the standards of education for their communities. The substantial levels of investment and rapid pace of development that the education system in the UAE is phenomenal and is testament to the commitment shown by the Ministry of Education," Virginia Kern, Chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions, organisers of GESS and GEF.

Among the international and ministerial keynote speakers are Dr Khalid Al Alwaad; Dr Abdullateef Hussain Al Hakimi; Dr Khalifa Al Alsuwaidi, Dr Narimane Hadj Hamou; Dr Peggy Kelly; Doug Brown and Ian Jukes.

Dr Hakimi, a well-known figure in the Arab Gulf region and the Middle East in accreditation standards and program redesign will discuss contemporary versus traditional techniques in teaching while Dr Hamou, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at e-TQM College in Dubai, will present the Definition of Excellence in e-Learning: A Holistic Approach. Meanwhile, Dr Kelly, co-director of the National Educational Technology Standards Project (NETS) will give a talk on setting standards - a preview of the new ISTE standards.

"We hope to get acquainted with the latest teaching methods and technologies that would be of great benefit in effectively developing the regional educational systems. To achieve this goal, the MoE is pleased to invite all educational staff, experts and specialists as well as technology enthusiasts to participate in our conference and explore the latest educational gadgets the world has discovered in this domain," Dr Hassan concluded.