The upcoming GESS Dubai 2019 conference and exhibition, the region’s leading education show will offer more than 200 workshops, presentations and sessions providing insights on the latest in education and curriculum development.

Scheduled to take place in on February 26-28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the workshops will also focus on technology advances, teaching innovation, leadership enhancement and others.

“Across the region, governments are increasing investments to improve the quality of education in schools. As the premier education show in the Middle East, we support this aspiration for world-class excellence by providing a platform where teaching professionals can learn from international experts to ensure quality of teaching and learning are on part with global standards,” said Matt Thompson, project director, Tarsus F&E, organisers of GESS Dubai.

Among those confirmed to speak include Deborah Eyre, founder and CEO, High Performance Learning, who will share her expertise on how schools can achieve world-class standards. “We used to think that only some students could be academically successful - but now we know better. Far more children can achieve better performance to become not just ‘test passers’ but well-rounded, happy individuals able to thrive in life beyond school as well as within it,” she said.

Eyre’s presentation will introduce the high-performance learning philosophy which enables schools to systematically enhance cognitive functioning. Drawing on psychology & neuro-science research this evidence-based approach leads to a significant uplift in student outcomes. Already adopted by some of the most innovative schools in the Middle East this approach challenges schools to be more ambitious, to banish the old 'bell curve' and aim for high performance for all.

Professional enhancement

Thompson said GESS Dubai’s conference programme has been carefully curated to ensure thousands of teaching professionals across the region not only learn from the best, but also enable them to advance their professional careers. “Our workshops provide CPD certifications that give teachers the tools they need to achieve better outcomes, as well as support their career progression,” he added.

At a time where teaching standards are being upgrade across education systems throughout the Middle East, GESS Dubai is providing a relevant and useful venue to empower teaching professionals.

Another session that could prove useful is the KHDA-approved training programme for the teaching permit to be led by Zen Khan, CEO, ZEN Professional Development and Education 1st Recruitment & Consultancy.

“The personal development of students plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. The emphasis upon these aims within the school mission statement is indicative to the central role that the Moral Education Programme (MEP) will have within their school. Development of MEP both explicitly in the daily life of the school and implicitly through direct teaching is essential to raising standards of all students,” said Khan.

Diversity and inclusiveness

Also figuring prominently in the conference programme for the 2019 edition of GESS Dubai are sessions on diversity and inclusiveness.

Dr Helen Wright, associate consultant, LSC Education, is scheduled to speak about The Diversity Equation: How Diversity in Leadership Can Improve School Outcomes, which will present insights on the latest global studies that show the positive impact of diversity on the economic success and sustainability of organisations, including education establishments. Her talk will include specific guidelines on how schools in the Middle East can embrace diversity in leadership.

Business exchange and networking

In addition to its conference component, GESS Dubai will be showcasing the latest educational products and solutions from over 550 local and international companies. From hi-tech teaching aides and materials, to innovative STEAM equipment and tools, GESS Dubai provides school owners and decision-makers a wide-range of choices for their teaching professional boost or next classroom upgrade.

Education professionals will also have a chance to network with their peers from 92 countries around the world. “It’s a valuable community to connect with for business and professional growth. Among the top countries where visitors came from include Saudi Arabia, India, Oman, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, Kenya, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain and Nigeria as well as from Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” noted Thompson. – TradeArabia News Service