Edutech Middle East, in collaboration with Blackboard, will launch the Arabic-enabled version of Blackboard Academic Suite across the region.

The bundle of programmes is expected to create a major impact and enhance the overall learning process in the region’s universities, as they provide advanced teaching tools, allow users to share educational content and build a learning community among others.

The Arabic-enabled version will be formally launched at the first Blackboard Summit Middle East, scheduled to be held during September 5-6, 2007 in Dubai.

With an Arabic user interface, students and teachers from the Middle East region can easily adopt the technology and utilise it effectively to produce better results.

The new Arabic version allows users to view all features and tools in the Learning, Community and Content systems from right to left according to the orientation of the Arabic written language.

The Arabic Language Pack can be selected at the system, course and user level, providing flexibility to all users to choose their preferred language. Edutech’s dedicated team of engineers will ensure that the advanced system will be seamlessly implemented and integrated into an institution’s existing infrastructure.

“Higher education institutions across the region are making tremendous strides in utilising state-of-the-art technologies that enhance teaching, administrative and student experience. Our strong partnership with Blackboard enables us to bring the latest technology-enabled tools for education institutions in line with our commitment towards the progress of the education sector,” said Edutech managing director ASF Karim.

“With 60 per cent of the population in the GCC under 16 years old, academic institutions face a tremendous challenge to develop a well-educated generation who will be able to actively take part in creating a knowledge economy and interact in a global society. The youth today are very adept in using technology, and institutions can further their mission and goals by using technology-enabled tools for learning purposes. The Academic Suite, for instance, takes e-learning to a higher level by offering a platform for learners and mentors to build a learning community and share best practices,” added Karim.

The Blackboard Middle East Summit will bring together delegates spanning eight countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, among others, to learn about innovations in e-Learning.

Blackboard president and CEO Michael Chasen is expected to deliver the keynote address at the conference about e-learning trends such as the use of Web 2.0 technology in education, and present new Blackboard product innovations including SafeAssign, a new plagiarism prevention service.

Moreover, with more than 30 academic institutions in the Middle East relying on Blackboard technology, the launch of the Arabic-enabled solution is expected to further boost adoption of Blackboard’s solutions while reaffirming the company’s leadership position.

“It is very exciting to work with academic institutions around the world, to learn about different cultures and education systems and help provide technology to continually expand educational opportunities,” said Michael Chasen.

“We look forward to continuing to build upon the relationships we have formed in the Middle East, and other parts of the world to enhance teaching and learning for people everywhere.”

Since its foundation in 1997, Blackboard has enabled innovations in education by providing a link between people and technology and has helped institutions as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve the sector’s demands.

The US-based firm is now a recognised leader in enterprise software applications and related services that are targeted at the specific demands of the education sector and maintains offices