Leading Arab education experts helping to drive academic progress across the region at GEF 2010

GEF, which is the the only conference for education professionals in the UAE and the GCC states, will bring together four of the region's most prominent Arab educationalists for the first time.

Rhona Greenhill Conference Director, F&E commented

"GEF is at the heart of the Gulf Education Supplies and Solutions Show (GESS) and is the region's leading platform for debate, knowledge, skills and experience that informs and guides educators. With the support of the Ministry of Education, GEF represents a key platform for educational practice at the highest level. It is only fitting therefore that GEF brings together leading Arab educationalists shaping the region's academic landscape under one roof for the first time."

Confirmed key note speakers addressing the forum taking place between 23-25 February 2010 include:

· Dr Khalifa Ali Alsuwaidi, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, UAE University, who has received several awards recognizing his contribution to Arab education throughout his career, including the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed award for academic excellence; Excellence Award for University and Community Service and Best UAE National teacher project award to name but a few. In addition to publishing 15 research papers in leading journals, Dr Alsuwaidi has also authored a number of specialist books on the topics of curriculum design.

· Dr Abdullateef Hussain Haider Al Hakimi, Professor of Education at San'a University, is one of the region's most prominent experts in the field of accreditation standards and program redesign, and has assisted some of the region's most notable academic institutions develop quality teacher education programs. His expertise has also been drawn upon by the MoE and the Abu Dhabi Education Council. Dr Al Hakim will deliver a key note speech on day one of the forum entitled: "Happiness, Education and Educational Technology" in addition to holding a masterclass on "Student Engagement and Educational Technology."

· Dr Suad Abdul Aziz Al Furaih, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction Department, College of Education, Kuwait University who specializes in technology implementations in education and e-learning in higher education, will address GEF delegates on "Multi media as a tool for stimulating creative thinking" on day two of the forum.

· Dr Ali Mohammed Abdullah Habib Al Kandari, Director of Educational Technology Center College of Education, Kuwait University has had a number of research papers published concerning the use of technology in the classroom. At GEF 2010 Dr Al Kandari will address delegates on the topic of "Overcoming the Challenges of Putting Technology into Action in the Classrooms: Best Practice" on the second day.

"The Global Education Forum will cover essential academic topics such as, the integration of technology in all areas of education - building schools for the future - special education needs including gifted and talented children and the latest innovations in education including 'virtual environments,' said Dr. Abdullah Al Amiri, Advisor to the Minister of Education and General Chair of the Forum.

He also highlighted the Ministry's choice of leading Arab educationalists as key note speakers during GEF taking into consideration that it is the only forum held in the GCC, and sets a new benchmark for the sector in the region.

"GEF once again reaffirms its position as the number one education event in the Middle East and a major event on the international education calendar due to the caliber of research papers submitted and speakers attending. GEF has succeeded in establishing itself as a key platform for education debate and development in the region since its inception three years ago. This year, GEF has chosen four leading Arab educationalists as key note speakers representing a number of specialties within the increasingly diverse education landscape and will address the burning issues facing educators today and tomorrow," said Khawla Al Muaalla, President of the Technical Committee, Ministry of Education.

In addition to regional experts, this year's forum also attracts renowned international educationalists from across the globe providing insight, analysis and best practice to visiting delegates.

"With leading educationalists from across the world gathering at GEF 2010 to discuss the future of learning, the forum is a must attend event for the region's education professionals. Last year's sessions were extremely popular with standing room only in some of the sessions. We anticipate even greater interest in the forum this year based on the confirmed key note speakers, topical master classes and agenda setting plenary conference," added Rhona Greenhill.

GESS 2010 will run from 23-25 February 2010 in conjunction with GEF at the Airport Expo Centre, Dubai.