UAE-based Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has signed an agreement with Ellucian, a leading provider of technology solutions and services, to launch its first official training center in the Middle East.

As per the deal, the facility will be based on the campus of HBMSU that will serve as Ellucian’s first Authorized Global Training Partner.

Simultaneously, HBMSU also launched the latest version of Banner internally to continue the development of providing exemplary services to students, faculty and staff.

The co-operative launching of the Ellucian training center is of strategic importance as it sets solid foundations for providing quality classroom based vocational training through the use of the Banner system.

Banner is the Student Information System (SIS) of choice for major  universities in the UAE,  KSA and other Gulf countries, said a statement from HBMSU.

The Ellucian Training Center will be a key facility within HBMSU’s campus and represents a major development in helping educational institutions in the Middle East to access the best Banner training services.

It will enable academicians, faculty, administrative officials and IT teams to effectively use Banner to improve operating performance levels.

It also supports ongoing Emiratization efforts by working with local institutions and universities in training UAE Nationals on core SIS functions using the Banner suite in all administrative processes, said the statement.

Dr Mansoor Al Awar, the chancellor of HBMSU, said the tieup will bring about a radical shift in Banner-related professional training.

"We are delighted with the success of our project and our ability to leverage our existing proven applications and their integration with the Banner Student Information System. The applications have features tailored to the character and uniqueness of our smart environment, which keeps pace with the rapid changes of the 21st century," he stated.

"The use of the new Banner system is in line with our ongoing commitment to adopt the most advanced technological innovations in support of our tireless endeavors to enhance operational efficiency, the quality of performance, and service excellence," he added.

Mathew Boice, the VP at Ellucian, emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation with HBMSU in launching the training center in response to the remarkable growth in demand for the Banner solution over the past few years, particularly in Gulf states which are witnessing rapid economic development, strong interest in developing the education sector, and a growing focus on building knowledge-based economies.

He commended the university's regional leadership in smart technology – enabled education, pointing out that it is the ideal partner for expanding the adoption of the Banner® system in educational institutions across the Middle East, one of the fastest growing education markets in the world.-TradeArabia News Service