Dubai's e-learning market to grow to USD 24 million by the end of 2008

According to the study, while Dubai is at the forefront of e-learning, it spends a larger percentage on delivery solutions, compared to the global trend where the market has shifted the focus to content. However, several new developments are set to change the situation and Dubai is on course to join the rest of the world in delivering world-class e-learning programmes.

To meet this growth in the e-learning market, Element K, the leading global e-learning provider, recently launched the first bilingual (Arabic and English) e-Learning community in partnership with Etisalat's Emirates Internet and Multimedia, to offer online courses in business and IT through a co-branded website called www.learnonline.ae.

"Although Dubai is leading in the world of e-learning, many other countries in the region are following the trend, recognising the new demand for e-learning. Dubai's pioneering projects, including Dubai Internet City, and more recently Knowledge Village, have given Dubai a competitive edge, and provided an impetus for other states in the region to follow suit. Dubai has served as an inspiration and model for others," said Jamil Ezzo, General Manager, Element K Middle East.

"eServices are established in KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain and many other areas in the Middle East. Element K would like to see people utilising the e-learning services that are available to them, and we are continuously committed to spreading awareness throughout the region," added Ezzo. "We have partnered with Dubai e-Government to introduce the e-Employee training program which targets government employees at all levels to enhance their computer competence. Under the partnership with Dubai e-Government we have also introduced e-Citizen which focuses on enhancing the computer and Internet skills of the public, in order for them to benefit from over 600 e-Government services being offered online and to fully utilise other eServices including e-Banking and e-Shopping."

Element K is set to play a key role in helping the region overcome the lack of Arabic e-learning content, supported with advanced e-Learning technologies by leveraging on its partnerships with internationally recognized academic institutions (i.e. Harvard University, Boston Consortium, DePaul University, University of Memphis) and leading software vendors (i.e. Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Novel, and Adobe), as well as drawing on its global expertise and best practices in delivering online learning to communities and businesses worldwide.

The Madar study says that the potential for growth in both the academic and corporate e-learning market in Dubai is high, but it needs to be enhanced with wider use of broadband Internet, which facilitates video streaming applications.

The study traces the foundation of e-learning to the IT Education Project established by HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, in 2002 as part of his vision to integrate IT in to the lives of citizens from all sectors of the community. This was followed by the introduction of the IT Education Project, which undertook curriculum development and design, content production and Arabisation. The launch of Dubai e-Government marked a watershed development in e-learning, with projects like the launch of e-Citizen and e-Employee certification, launched in association with Dubai e-Government, the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation and Element K Middle East. Dubai e-Government also launched e4all, to boost IT competency among the community and businesses.

In February 2002, the opening of Knowledge Village gave further impetus to Dubai's drive towards excellence in e-learning. Other major developments were the aggressive IT initiatives at the Dubai Men's College and the setting up of e-TQM College, the region's first virtual institution offering courses in total quality management in association with global leading institutions.

Private companies and organisations have strongly participated in Dubai's e-learning experience. Emirates Airline provides online training in IT and business to over 3,000 staff members. Mashreq Bank and Emirates Bank International also supply online staff training. E-learning has also spread among Dubai's hospitality, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

"The widespread use of e-learning among the corporate sector is commendable," said Ezzo. "The next big challenge is to involve the community in e-learning on a large scale. Globally, e-learning has gained a great momentum both at community and corporate levels, because it allows people to learn when they want, removes geographical barriers and helps people to improve themselves. Element K has entered into collaboration with government bodies in UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and we have plans to take our leading edge e-learning solutions to the whole of the Middle East."