Innovation will play a critical role in enabling the education system in the Gulf region to make significant contributions to the development of the region as a whole, according to a top emirati official.

Speaking at the formal launch of the eight edition of the Global Education Forum (GEF) and the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai, Hussain Bin Ebrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, said the Ministry of Education has established a new plan for the development of education over the next six years (from 2015 to 2021), to develop generations of scientists as well as creators and innovators.

The outcomes of the recent Government Summit and its wise leadership, in respect to education, particularly the education initiatives announced at the summit with the intent to promote and encourage innovation and creativity and as well as engaging in technological advancement, including development of robotic advancement alongside artificial intelligence, have raised expectations and the results of these initiatives are to be seen at the Global Education Forum, said Al Hammadi.

In keeping with the UAE government’s increasing focus on innovation, GESS Dubai has put a special emphasis showcasing the latest practices and technologies and how these can be harnessed to raise the educational quality standards, said a statement.

Sharief Fahmy, chief executive officer of F&E Group, organisers of GEF and GESS, that is scheduled to take place from February 24 to 26 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “The great thing about GESS Dubai is that it brings all of the leading education companies together so it means that educationalists can attend the event and see, touch and talk to these companies and find out which one is best suited for their institution.”

The conference will highlight some of the more recent advances in education, including an interactive showcase of the latest educational innovations, live demonstrations of the applications of 3D technologies relevant to the educational sector, the LEGO Innovation Studio, as well Edutech’s STEM Studio which will put the spotlight on cutting-edge products and solutions that modernising learning in classrooms around the world, he said.

In the dedicated Digital Education Space at the conference floor, GESS Dubai will host leading international experts who will share insights on the latest advances in digital education and how apps and other technology tools can be harnessed towards better teaching and learning in classrooms.

The latest market research on creativity and innovation in the regional education system will also presented by Dr Ayoub Kazim, managing director, Education Cluster of Tecom Investments, who will share insights on how educational institutions can ensure that creativity and innovation in the academe can continue through the workplace, as well as how precisely innovative thinking can impact social and economic growth.

A dedicated workshop on ‘New Technologies in Education’ will show how the latest innovations in science and technology are contributing to education, through live experiments in physics, biology, home automation and multiple other areas.

The purpose of these hands on sessions will be to show the immediate and positive technology contributions and techniques to deal with and resolve real-life issues that might arise and cascade the learning and adoption of new skills in classrooms, said the statement.

The conference will feature more than 200 sessions and more than 100 speakers, who will discuss the developments, innovations and concerns facing the education sector in the region and the rest of the world over the three-day event, it added. - TradeArabia News Service