The Ministry of Education launches the 4th edition of GESS and GEF in Dubai

'Education in a knowledge society' has been chosen as the central theme for the 4th version of GEF forum, and will cover topics such as: 'The Learner and the Teacher in the Knowledge Society'; 'Community Values as Motivators to the Teaching Learning Process'; and 'The School Cognitive Environment'. A full line of regional and international speakers will be revealed over the next few weeks.

Hamid al-Qatami, Minister of Education, showed his deep appreciation for the unlimited support provided by H.H. the Vice President to the educational process and development, saying, "Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's ongoing patronage of the GEF reflects the belief of our leadership in investing in education as one of the main foundation for growth and global competitiveness in all the fields."

With GEF being a major event held in all of the Middle East and a remarkable educational phenomenon, al-Qatami assured that the Ministry was keen on choosing leading Arab and international teachers in the school education sector to deliver key speeches.

He added, "That GEF aimed at establishing dialogue between education experts on one hand and education decision makers and educational field on the other, in order the be familiar with the latest education solutions and technologies that can be best used to develop education systems through a number of specialized seminars and workshops. GESS displays the latest innovative products and technologies, as well as the means to benefit from them in educational institutions."

According to Dr. Abdullah al Amiri, Chair of the forum, the Global Education Forum (GEF) provides a platform for dialogue and communication between the local and regional academic community and their counterparts in the global education arena. Teachers, educational consultants and ICT specialists will have the opportunity to attend over 140 seminars, workshops and roundtables presented by local and global experts in education.

Al-Amiri indicated that this leading educational event was made possible through an agreement signed at the beginning of the year between the Ministry of Education and F&E Ltd. The latter would exclusively organize GEF and GESS in Dubai for five years. Al-Amiri assured that the Ministry intended to keep this event as a platform for educationalists and education professionals where they could share knowledge and best practices.

Matt Thompson, Project Director, F&E Ltd. commented, "In recent years, governments across the GCC have invested heavily in education, and continue to drive excellence in this sector. GESS forms a vital part of the educational landscape in the region, as it provides a platform for the regional and international education sector to share ideas and learn more about innovations and advancements in the industry. The event has gone a long way in helping to establish the UAE as an educational 'hub'."

"In the four years since it was launched, GESS has become the only event that caters to the full spectrum of educational needs. This year, the organizers F&E Ltd are gearing up to welcome over 250 exhibitors from more than 27 countries around the world. Visitors to the event can take advantage of a varied range of products on exhibit, including ICT hardware and software, books and magazines, training courses, online/e-learning resources, educational toys and games, SEN solutions, lab equipment and school management systems," he added.

This year will also see the launch of a presentation theatre located in the heart of the exhibition floor which will be dedicated to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The programme, which is being delivered by Dragon Fly Training for this edition of GEF, will provide teachers with practical and inspirational ideas, lesson plans, time saving information and tested strategies for improving the quality of learning.