Element K Middle East and Emirates Internet and Multimedia (EIM) pursue the opportunity of extending their e-learning partnership to cover the entire region

The Learnonline initiative is just one aspect of the partnership between the two companies that began in 2003. Through this expansion, Etisalat aims to re-affirm and strengthen the long-term relationship that it has with Element K.

Element K and EIM have worked together to bring a vast array of e-learning choices to EIM subscribers. With the new expansion, not only EIM subscribers but anyone with access to the Internet who would like to subscribe to any of the courses on the joint website would be able to do so. The expansion comes as Element K and EIM report that there has been an encouraging response to www.learnonline.ae and that the platform has already proved to be a huge success.

Jamil Ezzo, General Manager, Element K Middle East, said: "The success story of Learnonline has proved that people in the region are accepting e-learning as a valid form of learning. The flexible, self-paced approach and the value for money that this learning method offers are unparalleled. As the demand for e-learning increases, Element K and EIM want to be in a position where we are able to meet this demand, hence our plans to expand and strengthen our partnership."

"It is important to address the learning needs of every potential and existing learner. Until now, we have only been able to offer the courses to EIM subscribers. Our joint plans to expand the offerings to include the entire region will address these learning needs and strengthen the promotion and usage of e-learning region-wide," said Ezzo.

"The huge portfolio of online courses we are offering on www.learnonline.ae can benefit people all over the region. The combination of Element K's global experience in designing IT and professional development courses and EIM technical expertise in delivering these courses will provide people with a great opportunity to choose from a list of online courses that have global acceptance and have benefited hundreds of thousands of people," Ezzo added. "In addition to expanding regionally, we have added over 200 new courses to the www.learnonline.ae portal, due to the high popularity and success of existing courses, as well as to increase the choice for the learner."

Maroua Naim, General Manager, EIM, said: "The joint Learnonline project, in partnership with Element K, has been a great success in the UAE to date. This success has encouraged EIM to extend and strengthen our partnership with Element K and we look forward to further enhance our working relationship with them."

"EIM has been paying close attention to the e-learning industry over the past year and we have noticed an increase in interest and participation from EIM subscribers. We predict that e-learning usage will continue to grow at a steady pace, hence the decision to pursue the opportunity of expanding with Element K to offer courses to the entire region. We are confident that www.learnonline.ae will prove to be a popular one-stop shop for every individual's learning requirements," Naim added.

The new courses bring the total number of existing courses to 1000, with over 200 series of courses now available. Emirates Internet and Multimedia (EIM) hosts and promotes the portal, providing access through its high quality IT infrastructure, while Element K's role is to supply the content and 'Knowledge Hub', its state-of-the-art Learning Management System.

Element K draws on its global expertise in delivering online learning to communities and businesses worldwide. The company has existing global partnerships with Microsoft, Cisco, Novel, Macromedia and Adobe, ensuring that as soon as updates or new products are released from the vendor, learners are able to utilise the products on www.learnonline.ae almost immediately. The portal's training courses utilise the latest software and packages from partnered vendors.

"The 200 additional courses further enhance the position of www.learnonline.ae as one of the leading e-learning portals in the Middle East. The wide variety of courses ensures that each individual's specific learning needs are met. Furthermore, potential learners have the option of sampling courses online to ensure that they register for the type of course that will meet their requirements," Ezzo added.

EIM and Element K partnered in 2003 to establish www.learnonline.ae. As part of its content provision, Element K provides its state-of-the-art learning management system, the Knowledgehub, a fully scaleable and flexible system that offers the latest course management, student management, assessment, and reporting tools. In addition, a wide range of courses have been Arabised and several of the new courses and series' are currently undergoing translation to ensure that learners across the region are able to benefit from the high quality content provided.

"We are working closely with governments and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the region to boost IT literacy and competency through advanced online teaching solutions, in which we are the pioneers. Element K has built partnerships with leading global IT vendors and renowned academic institutions to develop high quality, interactive courses tailored to the objective of different governments and their national curriculum drives," Ezzo added.