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GCC Student Population to Sustain 1.8 per cent CAGR to Reach 11.3 Million by 2020

GETEX Autumn 2012 fills void in student recruitment for those seeking to study abroad or in prestigious academic institutions in the UAE
Dubai, UAE, October 7th, 2012 – The student population in the GCC has been steadily increasing over the years and is expected to sustain a 1.8 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) within a 10-year period to reach 11.3 million in 2020 from 9.5 million in 2010. The rising number of students has strongly influenced the increase in demand for higher education in the region, particularly in the UAE which has been aggressively encouraging private sector investments, thereby establishing the country’s private education sector as the biggest in the region with an estimated value of USD 2.8 billion.

With studies showing that 95 per cent of all females and 80 per cent of all males enrolled in the final year of secondary school applying for admission to a higher education institution in the country and abroad, the UAE naturally attracts the largest number of high-profile academic institutions from all over the world.
GETEX Autumn 2012, a dedicated platform to showcase the widest range of top-quality academic, vocational and training programs from leading regional and international schools, is one of the key initiatives supporting the sustained growth of the academic sector in the UAE and across the GCC.
Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), the organizer of the event, said: “GETEX provides a dedicated networking platform that stimulates the continued growth of the education sector, while supporting initiatives by governments in the GCC to enhance the quality of education in the region. Moreover, it significantly broadens the academic choices of students by filling a void in student recruitment for those seeking to study abroad or in prestigious academic institutions within the UAE.”
Organised under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Higher Education, GETEX Autumn 2012 will run from 21st to 23rdNovember 2012, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
GETEX Autumn 2012 will showcase a wide selection of Higher Education and Professional Development programs, including graduate and postgraduate degrees along with vocational and professional courses.
New to the event this year is the Global Business School Fair featuring a collection of MBA schools from across the world looking to meet with potential UAE-based postgraduate students. The Global Business School Fair will host a Business Seminar that will provide students with resources to help them make sound career choices, while enhancing their employment potential in both the public and private sectors.


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Premier gathering of world’s leading proponents in open and distance education to be held in Arab world for the first time.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University officially launches SCOP meeting 2012 in Dubai
September 24, 2012
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University. Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU) has today (Monday, September 24, 2012) officially launched at a press conference, the 2012 edition of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) Standing Conference of Presidents (SCOP), a prestigious annual gathering of education institutions engaged in open, distance and flexible learning that will be held for the first time in the Arab world.

The SCOP meeting 2012, which will be held under the theme Open and Distance Education (ODE): Barriers, Opportunities & Strategies Forward, will run from November 12 to 15.
This year’s edition of the SCOP meeting will tackle various challenges and barriers associated with the implementation of ODE from both an international and regional perspective. It will also explore opportunities ODE provides in helping countries overcome socio-economical challenges and will provide insights into successful strategies for advocacy of ODE. The meeting places particular focus on the latest trends and developments in ODE, including Open Educational Resources, quality and regulatory framework, among others.
The keynote speakers and presenters at the SCOP meeting 2012 will include, Dr. Laurence F. Johnson, Chief Executive Office of the New Media Consortium; Dr. Badr Aboul-Ela, Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, U.A.E Vice-President of the Arab Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education(ANQAAHE); Dr. Meg Benke, Officer in Charge, Office of the President, Empire State College, State University of New York, USA; Prof. Emeritus Anuwar Ali, President/Vice Chancellor, Open University Malaysia (OUM); Dr. Venkataraman Balaji, Director, Technology & Knowledge Management, Commonwealth of Learning.
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor, HBMeU said: “The SCOP meeting presents an excellent opportunity to conduct high-level discussions about the opportunities and challenges presented by open and distance education in the Middle East. Our ultimate goal is to further expand our knowledge and understanding of open and distance education to make it a truly invaluable tool in achieving sustainable socioeconomic growth and development in the Middle East and around the world. Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University has been one of the world’s leading proponents of e-learning and we are therefore eager to share our own ideas and experiences to establish new benchmarks for quality and excellence in the field of open and distance education.”
Professor Tian Belawati, President of ICDE and Rector of the Indonesian Open University, said, “Bringing the annual ICDE SCOP meeting to the Middle East is an important move that reinforces our commitment to promote open and distance learning as a new platform for academic excellence all over the world. We are certainly pleased with the preparations that Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University has made to ensure the success of the upcoming meeting. HBMeU has been a pioneering figure in e-learning in the Middle East and we are therefore looking forward to learn from their vast experience in promoting open and distance education from a completely new perspective.”
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.
The Main sponsors of SCOP meeting 2012 are Emirates Identity Authority, AWQAF and Minors Affairs Foundation, Dubai Customs and Dubai eGovernment. Other sponsors include Dubai Heath Authority, Bafco, Al Reyami Signs Industries LLC and Etisalat.
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Skyline University College (video)

Skyline University College (SUC) was established in 1990 in Sharjah, a city that has been recognized as a hub for education, culture and heritage by UNESCO. The SUC was established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the member of the UAE Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah. H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi has always supported SUC in its pursuit to offer high quality education. SUC believes in responding innovatively and effectively to train human resources and fulfill educational needs of industries like Aviation, Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Information Systems, Marketing, Business Management and Finance sectors, and is presently one of the leading Universities in Northern Emirates.



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ALHOSN University taps multicultural expertise to deliver world-class education with local vision

Educators from 36 nations set to engage Abu Dhabi’s bright young minds at 2012 Fall Semester
Complementing the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 development plan’s focus on further raising local standards of education, ALHOSN University has assembled a prestigious lineup of educators from 36 countries that will instill the institution’s vision of ‘global knowledge with local vision’ during the 2012 Fall Semester.

The Vision 2030 framework aims to bring in more expertise from abroad to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s education sector and ensure that the curriculum and quality of delivery are at par with the world’s best. ALHOSN has taken this approach to heart by welcoming onboard academicians from all over the world who are highly qualified to impart the skills necessary for students – especially Emiratis who form 60 per cent of the university’s population – to become productive contributors to the formal economy and society as a whole. To meet the specific needs of its students, ALHOSN has developed nineteen undergraduate and graduate programs in Engineering, Business, and Education. All these programs have received accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE, and several have also been granted accreditation from prestigious professional international accreditation boards.
ALHOSN has announced that it will be accepting applicants for the upcoming 2012 Fall Semester during its ‘Registration Weeks’ from September 2nd to 23rd. To spice up the registration period, the university will offer scholarships, raffle off free Admission fees, and launch exciting campaigns on Facebook and other key social networks. ALHOSN will also continue its advocacy of encouraging more women to participate in technical fields such as Mechanical, Industrial and Civil Engineering by offering special scholarships. There are currently about 200 new incoming students already registered, with more expected to follow in the coming two weeks. Classes are scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 9th.
“If we want to help our students make a difference in the world, then we must bring global experiences and expertise to them,” said Prof. Abdul Rahim Sabouni, ALHOSN’s Vice Chancellor and CEO. “ALHOSN invests heavily to ensure that its academic personnel are up to the challenge of molding productive citizens and future leaders who have a global view of things while they seek the betterment of their community.  For this coming Fall Semester we have assembled a dedicated and highly competent team of educators of almost 40 nationalities who will ensure that we live up to our commitments to our students and their parents and guardians.”
“We also want to maintain an equal-opportunity environment and fill the gender gap in some professions in the UAE and the region, by encouraging our female students to pursue Engineering degrees such as Civil Engineering, and Industrial Engineering” Prof. Sabouni added.
ALHOSN University has been experiencing a remarkable period of growth which has seen its student body grow to more than 1,600 at the start of Fall Semester. This year’s graduating class is expected to top the previous year’s class of 250 graduates. ALHOSN continues to reap praises for equipping both UAE Nationals as well as expat students from around the world with skills and competencies above and beyond those sought by the organizations they have joined.


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HBMeU Board of Governors underlines value of Dubai Crown Prince initiative to launch academic scholarship in his name

Board of Governors calls for better understanding of its academic programs
July 10, 2012
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, has recently concluded the fourth meeting of its Board of Governors for the academic year 2011-2012, touching on various matters such as the adoption of the previous meeting’s proceedings.

The Board of Governors of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, has expressed its gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMeU, for launching an academic scholarship in his name. The scholarships will be awarded to 20 excelling high school students in the UAE who may pursue any undergraduate program at HBMeU. The members of the Board emphasized the importance of the generous initiative in enhancing the position of the university as a pioneer in e-learning and as the premier academic choice in the UAE and the Arab world. Recipients of the new academic scholarship will be chosen based on their GPA and their academic performance in high school.

H.E. Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief and Chairman of the HBMeU Board of Governors, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for launching the academic scholarship, which supports the aspirations of the University’s Board of Governors to consolidate the role of the university in shaping the future of education, and contributing to professional and human development, based on best practices adopted in the field of e-learning and distance learning. His Excellency also lauded the university for its pioneering position through the continued support of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, in his belief in the need to achieve excellence in education and to make the young generation ideally qualified to be competitive in the global job market, and ultimately nurture a generation that is able to continue to lay the foundations of growth and development, and contribute to the UAE’s overall progress.
In response to the last meeting’s directives of the HBMeU Board of Governors to promote better understanding of the University’s programs by intensifying field visits to public and private institutions across the country, the University presented an elaborate report on the visits and the response they have generated from government departments and private institutions in Dubai.
The Board of Governors has further called for a better demonstration and promotion of the University’s academic programs in Arab countries to spread the University’s message on a much larger scale. It also recommended conducting four meetings throughout the entire academic year to support the University’s focus on excellence.
HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university, which is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.


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The Open University of China discusses means of collaboration with Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University

OUC, the largest open and distance education system in the world, ties up with HBMeU to exchange knowledge

A delegation from the largest open and distance university in the world, The Open University of China (OUC), recently visited Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, to discuss means of collaboration between the two universities on various levels

. The Chinese delegation included the Vice President of the university, Professor Yan Bing, Director of Party Committee Office, Professor Wang Yini, Director of Human Resources Department, Professor Guo Hongyang, Deputy Director of Academic Affairs Department, Li Song, and Associate Researcher at the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange, Huang Danqing.

The Open University of China, established in 1979, carries out distance educational activities using an integration of three networks, including a satellite TV network, computer network, and people’s network. With over 5 million students and 80,000 faculty members, OUC is the largest open and distance education system in the world.

       
Dr. Mansoor al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, led the discussion accompanied by Dr. Narimane Hadj Hamou, Assistant Chancellor for Learning and Academic Development and several administrative and academic faculty members.
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The topics discussed revolved around exploring opportunities for collaboration between the two universities in the areas of research and development, establishing a virtual research center, offering specialized training courses for the faculty of OUC, co-operation with HBMeU’s publishing house, and academic exchange mechanism.       
HBMeU and OUC share similar primary objectives, one of which is to provide opportunities of higher education for professionals in different industries and enterprises and other members of the society; to conduct non-degree education through on-the-job training and training for practical skills; and providing educational services for people from all walks of life to update their own knowledge and to learn new skills.
As part of the visit, the OUC team toured the HBMeU premises, including the auditorium, virtual video studios, class rooms, computer labs, and library, and met with several academic faculty members. The OUC team praised the efforts of HBMeU management, particularly highlighting its commitment to ensure education for all members of the society.   
Towards the end of the visit, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar thanked Professor Yan Bing for approaching HBMeU to collaborate and exchange knowledge between the two universities in the areas of mutual interest. From his side Professor Bing extended an invitation to Dr. Al Awar and his team to visit OUC and meet with the rest of the management team in China.  
HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.    
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Dubai Judicial Institute honours its strategic partners

Move reaffirms role of partners in strengthening UAE’s increasing footprint in international legal affairs
 In line with its strategy to promote a culture of excellence, innovation and creativity, Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), a leading centre for legal studies and judicial training in Dubai and a member of the General Network for Government Communication, today (Thursday, May 24, 2012) organised a special ceremony to honour its strategic partners whose contributions enabled DJI to successfully achieve its strategic plan for 2011. The plan focused on promoting the ongoing training and development programs, leveraging the best judicial practices and establishing agreements and partnerships with key local, regional and global institutions and authorities to serve the Emirati community. 

Held at the DJI premises, the ceremony reflected the Institute’s commitment to reward partners from the media, governmental bodies, academia and the business community for their support towards various training initiatives undertaken by DJI. The training programs are aimed at boosting efficiencies at the national level by emphasizing on the highest standards of integrity, while reaffirming the role of law in achieving comprehensive development, which in turn positively impacts the community as a whole.

Moreover, DJI also honoured the authors and researchers for their intellectual work in the fields of law and justice, which enabled DJI to bring out 16 new publications, along with 83 research and study papers in various fields of UAE law.
During the event, honorary plaques were presented to prominent media and government bodies, including the Dubai Attorney General, Dubai Police, Dubai Courts, Department of Economic Development, DIFC Courts, Dubai Customs and Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development. Several judges, DJI employees, volunteers from Ajman University and members of DJI’s Scientific Council were also honoured for their supporting role and excellent performance.  
Dr. Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director General of Dubai Judicial Institute,said, “Honouring our strategic partners reaffirms our total commitment to the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed of enhancing government integration and ensuring closer collaboration between government, private, educational and media institutions to achieve national goals and comprehensive development. We would like to thank our strategic partners and underline our ongoing quest for excellence in order to provide the judicial community with the necessary knowledge resources, while also guiding the Emirati community towards a better future. The emphasis will be on building a legal culture, research, training and habilitation programs for the development of human resources in the areas of law and jurisdiction, under the best international practices.”
The Dubai Judicial Institute was established in 1996 to help educate and train aspiring judges, prosecutors and their assistants, legal experts and lawyers. DJI also offers habilitation programs for public prosecutors to enhance their efficiency. The Institute provides training and consultancy services to various public and private sector agencies and institutions and conducts local, regional and global research and studies on all areas of law and jurisdiction.

For more information about DJI, please visit www.facebook.com/dubaijudicial, www.twitter.com/dubaijudicial. Video clips about DJI are also available on www.youtube.com/dubaijudicial.


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HBMeU to raise awareness about its programs in UAE and across the region

HBMeU visits schools, educational exhibitions, school events in UAE, Jordan, Oman
May 13, 2012
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, has started to receive primary and secondary education students in its premises and has conducting field visits to other schools and educational events in the UAE, Jordan and Oman, in line with the directives of the university’s Board of Governors to create greater awareness about HBMeU and its programs among private and government sectors in the UAE and across the region.
The program also complements the university’s learner recruitment program, and is also designed to introduce the concept of e-learning and the flexibility it offers for learners to pursue other areas of interest while finishing their academic studies.
The visits are held in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Education, educational districts and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai. The university has hosted a number of delegations from different schools such as Omar bin Al Khattab Model School, Al Yahr Secondary School, Sharjah Model School Boys, Al Bayan Boys School, Al Laseeli School, Humaid Bin Abdulaziz Boys School, Sir Bani Yas Boys School, Muzaira’a Girls School, Islamic Institute – Boys School Dubai, School of Modern Skills Private Dubai – Boys, School of Modern Skills Private Dubai – Girls, and Um Al Momeneen Girls School.
As part of the program, HBMeU has also visited educational exhibitions in different countries, including GETEX in Dubai, Global Higher Education Exhibition in Oman, and the 16th Annual Jordan Education and Training Exhibition in Amman, Jordan.
The university has also attended more than a dozen school exhibitions organized by various schools across the UAE such as Al Nahda Schools in Abu Dhabi, School of Modern Skills in Dubai, and the Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Dubai and Fujairah Campuses of Applied Technology Institute, among others.
Through such visits and participations, HBMeU aims to raise awareness among schools and students about its programs, the scientific researches it conducts, the training courses it organises, and its educational and informative services that are based on the principle of providing education anytime, anywhere. HBMeU is also keen on highlighting its learning environment that leverages the power of information and communications technology (ICT).      
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, said: “This program emphasizes the university’s commitment to apply the directives of the Board of Governors which aim to raise awareness about the university and its academic programs. These visits are an ideal way to introduce an unconventional educational environment offered by the university, based on the use of ICT in education and training. It also reaffirms the quality of HBMeU’s academic programs that comply with the highest international standards, which contribute towards building a generation of qualified young people with a high level of competency, experience and competitiveness.”
“The program is the result of the fruitful cooperation between HBMeU and the UAE Ministry of Education in cultivating a culture of excellence and quality among the education and academic community,” he added.  
HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university, which is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.
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