17th GETEX to host a dedicated section on education technology

This is the first time that manufacturers and suppliers of educational support materials in the Middle East have a consolidated forum to display their products to regional and international educational institutes, as well as interact with their fraternity from across global markets.

"For the fact that educational materials and supplies is one of the most vibrant market segments in any country, it is amazing how rarely it is placed under spotlight. Whether it is the ubiquitous student's table and chair or the whiteboard versus blackboard debate, interactive eLearning resources or inducting Information Technology in the art course - there is a wealth of issues that deserve to be highlighted," said Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, IC&E, organisers of GETEX.

"We have a strong commitment to supporting the regional education community in every one of their requirements. Our decision to invite education technology innovators to participate in GETEX stems from the realisation that educational material can often play a crucial role in the integrated learning environment. We expect this segment at this show to grow and diversify in the future," added Godinho.

Leading the line-up of exhibitors at the GETEX Supply and Equipment segment will be SunGard SCT, leading global providers of software and services for higher education and architects of 'The Unified Digital Campus' vision. The US based company set-up its Middle East Operations at the Knowledge Village, Dubai in 2003. One of their leading projects in the region has been the deployment of its e-Education solutions by the state-of-the-art campus of the American University in Kuwait.

At the exhibition, SunGard's solutions to be showcased will include Administrative Solutions that bring together information, services, departments, and even multiple institutions; Portal, Collaboration and Community Solutions that unify access to campus-wide information and services, anytime and anywhere; Information Access Solutions where improves access will mean better strategic decision making; Content Management Solutions for creating, managing and presenting online content; Academic Solutions for assimilating resources to improve learning, teaching and research; and Integration Solutions that deliver seamless unity of data systems, applications and processes.

Besides showcasing their solutions at the stand, SunGard will also conduct seminars to demonstrate technologies for Portals Infrastructure that governs how users view and access the Unified Digital Campus; Application Infrastructure that provides services for institutions' constituents relating to learning, teaching, administration, research, collaboration, and community involvement; and Enterprise Data Infrastructure to ensure manageability and consistency in data storage, reporting, and business analytics.

Also at GETEX will be Canada's Famic Technologies Inc. with the 'Automation Studio' software solution, the worldwide standard for teaching fluid power and automation technologies. Automation Studio offers powerful and user-friendly schematic design, sizing and simulation capabilities, and multiple new tools for teaching and learning of hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical and other such technologies.

The extensive simulation capabilities of the software allow educators to save time since they can quickly draw circuits, prepare animated course material and perform virtual demonstrations. The software's multi-technology environment also exposes students to a wider range of technologies and reinforces their understanding of the interaction between the various electrical, automation and fluid power technologies.

In addition, by using schematics, cut-away animations, dynamic and realistic simulation, and data monitoring, Automation Studio becomes an indispensable tool to explain equipment and controls operation from the component up to the system level, and increase students' and trainees' knowledge retention.

The Supply and Equipment segment at the 17th GETEX will feature over 40 exhibitors from 15 countries.