Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning, said that it has stepped up preparations to host a major global distance learning conference.

The next International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) Standing Conference of Presidents (SCOP) will be held from November 12 to 15 in Dubai.

HBMeU was unanimously announced as the host of SCOP meeting 2012 during last year’s SCOP meeting at the State University of New York Empire State College in New York. This marks the first time that the prestigious annual SCOP meeting will be held in the Arab world.

SCOP meeting 2012, which will be held under the theme Open and Distance Education (ODE): Barriers, Opportunities & Strategies Forward, will tackle the various challenges and barriers associated with the implementation of ODE from both an international and regional perspective.

It will explore the various opportunities ODE provides in helping countries overcome many of the socio-economical challenges and will provide insights into successful strategies for advocacy of ODE.

Dr Mansoor Al Awar, chancellor of HBMeU, said: “The realm of open and distance education has seen significant developments in recent years, which has resulted in the broader adoption of this concept internationally and regionally.”

“As a pioneering institution in e-Learning in the Arab world, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University is committed to share its vast experience and expertise with its peers in the field, and it is certainly our privilege to host the upcoming SCOP meeting 2012.

“Moreover, the fact that the UAE has become the first country in the Arab world to host this annual meeting of the world’s leading open and distance education universities, is testimony to the efforts of the country’s visionary leaders to make the UAE a benchmark for quality and excellence in all fields.”

Professor Tian Belawati, president of ICDE and Rector of the Indonesian Open University, said, “The annual ICDE SCOP meeting is a unique opportunity for the leadership of higher education institutions engaged in open, distance and flexible learning to meet with peers from around the world in a private setting.

“SCOP is regarded as a platform where senior management in higher education can share information and expertise, establish benchmarks, develop inter-institutional cooperation, and determine policy advocacy directions. In HBMeU we found the ideal host to facilitate this first SCOP meeting to be held in the Arab world as the institute has been working tirelessly to promote excellence in e-Learning in this region.”

ICDE is a network of 100 educational institutions worldwide working to promote open and distance learning, and provide opportunities for exchange of educational best practices between countries and regions.

SCOP is an annual event organised by ICDE for high-level, confidential exchange of information, quality enhancement strategies and policy directions. – TradeArabia News Service