Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) co-hosted a one-day interactive ‘SkillsInvest’ Forum to identify educational reforms required for meeting the future economic needs of the Arab world through focusing on leading industries that will drive regional growth.

The event was organised by IC Events and The Middle East magazine, a division of the international publishing group IC Publications on Wednesday at the Conference Centre at DKV, a member of Tecom Investments.

The inaugural forum titled SkillsInvest ‘Growth through Education in the Arab World’ provided a platform for regional participants to engage with global business leaders, policy makers, academic experts, as well as young professionals and students.

Thirty keynote experts from human resources, higher education, ICT, banking and finance, as well as energy sectors, took part in the discussions at the event which was supported by Dubai School of Government (DSG), a leading think tank research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world.

Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said: 'Dubai Knowledge Village is committed to complementing Dubai’s strategic mission to create a knowledge-based economy across the Arab World.'

'The SkillsInvest forum will aim to provide incisive insights into the gap between the education system and the skills required for key economic sectors such as banking and finance, energy and ICT.

'The event will throw open solutions that will help us lead and address the reforms required in our educational system to equip the next generation workforce with relevant skills for sustaining the region’s economic growth.'

The first of its kind forum in the region coincides with the 35th anniversary of The Middle East magazine, the best selling pan-Arab monthly.-TradeArabia News Service