Element K Middle East appoints Susan Bodinson as new General Manager

Bodinson brings to her new post wide-ranging expertise in computers, information systems and marketing. Her key achievements, since joining Element K Middle East in October 2003, include the creation of the KnowledgePlanner Arabic Intranet Learning Management System and development of courseware in both Arabic and English for the reputed International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Syllabus 4.0.

"The Middle East region is at the threshold of a knowledge revolution fuelled by information technologies, and Element K with its proven learning delivery models is fully geared to serve the Middle East through an ambitious growth strategy aimed at penetrating the whole region," said Bodinson. "I look upon this new appointment as a challenge to implement Element K's aggressive new strategy, leveraging my extensive experience in the field of e-Learning, market knowledge of the region and expertise with Element K's technology and learning resources."

Before joining Element K Middle East, Bodinson was an implementation engagement manager for Element K in Rochester, New York, where she managed e-Learning implementations for Barnes & Noble, a Fortune 500 Company, CompUSA and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's General Organisation for Technical Education & Vocational Training (GOTEVOT). She has also worked as a consultant at Questra Corporation, a leading enterprise software company, helping Ford Motor Company and Xerox Corporation to develop e-Business applications.

In 2003, Element K registered spectacular growth in the region, with the strongest performance recorded in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Leading organisations like Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Etisalat, ExecuTrain, Ford, Good Year, IBM, Kinko's, Marriott, Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Saudi Telecom and Toyota have all chosen Element K courseware and online training solutions to provide training for their employees.

Element K Middle East has developed several innovative online training solutions that will be unveiled at GITEX Dubai 2004 Exhibition, targeting trade visitors, corporate houses as well as the general public.

"Online training has gained significant ground in the region due to low entry thresholds, proven effectiveness and the flexibility it offers to learners. Element K Middle East will showcase the entire range of innovative learning solutions at GITEX, in an effort to impress upon the visitors the versatility and competency of our programs," Bodinson said.

At GITEX Dubai 2004, Element K Middle East will debut the training material it has developed for the reputed ICDL Syllabus Version 4.0 as well as demonstrate KnowledgePlanner, the intranet based learning management system with interchangeable Arabic and English capabilities.

KnowledgePlanner, which was developed in partnership with Eduquity Career Technologies, works on the same lines as Element K's widely used 'KnowledgeHub' Learning Management System and allows users who do not have Internet access to learn in an environment where all learning activities can be tracked and reported on.

Element K will be located at Hall 6, Stand H 6-2 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre at GITEX Dubai 2004.