Autodesk, ADVETI and STS Collaborate to Advance 21st Century Skills in Abu Dhabi
Autodesk 3D design software technologies will support students from science, technology, engineering, digital arts, or mathematics (STEAM) related subjects to solve real world challenges.
Abu Dhabi, 05 August 2014 – Autodesk Middle East has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) to advance design education and 21stcentury skills between ADVETI Institutes, Secondary Technical School (STS) and Autodesk as Industry and Technology partners. STS is a technical high school within ADVETI, established to provide young Emiratis with a senior high school education that has a focus on technical and technology education.
Based on the agreement signed Autodesk Middle East will collaborate closely with ADVETI faculty, STS and its curriculum development departments to facilitate the following:
- Technology access: Provide access to Autodesk Academic Resource Center which currently offers Autodesk’s professional 3D design software and creativity applications for use in all ADVETI classrooms, workshops and labs at no charge.
· Curriculum development: Develop discipline-specific curricula and courseware to enhance students’ knowledge and application of advance industry concepts and workflows including Building Information Modeling (BIM), Digital Prototyping, and Digital Entertainment Creation.
· Facilitating project-based learning: Implement project-based workshops utilizing professional Autodesk 3D design software technologies to support science, technology, engineering, digital arts, or mathematics (STEAM) related subjects to solve real world challenges.
· Training model: Conduct professional develop and excellence programs and validating faculty skills through Autodesk Certification
· Immersive learning experiences: Encourage students to participate in national design competitions organized by Autodesk to showcase their design skills and interact with peers from different states
Today’s students are tomorrow’s creative leaders who will shape the future of our economy. By imparting industry-relevant knowledge and 3D design skills to the future workforce, the collaboration between ADVETI Institutes, STS and Autodesk seeks to prepare tomorrow’s generation to take full advantage of opportunities in a new global environment,” said Louay Dahmash, Head of Middle East, Autodesk.
“3D Design technologies today are becoming critical to solve some of the most pressing challenges related to urbanization, sustainable construction, efficient manufacturing and infrastructure planning. It is important for students in the region to master these skills and apply them meaningfully for overall development of the economy. With the partnership with Autodesk, we hope to provide our students and faculty access to the best of design technologies and immersive learning experiences and contribute towards building a skilled workforce in Abu Dhabi”, said Dr. Khodair Abid, Director of Schools – ADVETI.
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About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design, and create a better world. Everyone from students and hobbyists to engineers, architects, design professionals and digital artists uses Autodesk apps, software and services to unlock their creativity make better products and solve important challenges. For more information, visit www.autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Autodesk is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
Free Autodesk software and/or cloud-based services may only be used for educational purposes and are subject to acceptance of and compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license agreement or terms of service. Details and restrictions available at http://usa.autodesk.com/legal-notices-trademarks.
© 2014 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 out of Every 10 Students from UAE Who Study Abroad Choose the US
Referrals to US universities begin at home, says Consultancy’s MD
Dubai, UAE, 15 July 2014 – Carian College Advisors, an American education consultancy based in Dubai, has revealed that 6 out of every 10 UAE students currently studying in the US were strongly encouraged by one of their parents or siblings to pursue their undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in America.
The consultancy says that these students have their hearts set on studying in the US; that is their foremost concern, deciding which institution is secondary. In most cases, the choice has a lot to do with the opinion of parents or elder siblings who convey their first-hand experience and thereby inspire the students follow in their footsteps.
“The most desirable study options among UAE students this year are Business and Management, Engineering, and Math and Computer Science”, explained Peter Davos, Managing Director, Carian College Advisors.
Davos said: “Among UAE nationals, we see a definite trend of choosing the US for higher education, influenced by their parents or siblings. This is clear evidence that many of the referrals to universities begin at home and this is a direct endorsement of the US education system.”
He added: “It is remarkable how older UAE students (parents or siblings) maintain connections with their peers even after they leave universities or reconnect through social media. Most of them retain an emotional attachment to the place where they studied many years ago and take pride in referring their children to same university or state.”
Commenting on criteria for choosing the US as an education destination, Davos said: “Based on recommendations from fathers or siblings, UAE nationals look at quality of education as a main factor when selecting their destination of study as well as the prevailing cultural milieu.”
With over 4,000 degree-granting institutions of higher learning in the US in 50 states, Carian College Advisors caters to the varied needs and preferences of UAE students. Davos’ consultancy offers a range of admission counseling services for UAE students targeting the US for further studies.
Davos stated: “There is strong emphasis in the US on the holistic development of the individual and this is passed on to aspiring students by their parents who endorse that US education sharpens students’ personalities, broadens their views, and widens their vision and perspective on life.”
American universities encourage self-exploration and self-development and view them as an inherent part of an undergraduate education. Students at American universities are allowed to choose a minor, double major, or triple major of their choice, as long as they fulfill the stipulated course requirements. It is this freedom of choice that most attracts students to study in America.
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Editor’s Note:
Carian College Advisors is a specialist US education consultant that offers a range of admission counselling services for students in the UAE. Headed by Peter Davos (MSt Oxon, MDesS Harvard), Carian College Advisors is one among the few education consultants in the country that specialises in offering admission-counselling services for universities exclusively in the United States. Carian College Advisors can assist with the entire or specific parts of the application process, such as college list creation, the submission of a personal statement, supplemental essays, letters of recommendation, summary list of extracurricular activities, description of past summer experiences, and the completion of a college interview.
Space Experts Highlight the Role of Dubai Sat-1, Dubai Sat-2 & Khalifa Sat in Country’s Progress
EIAST successfully holds workshop at RTA to promote outer space technology in UAE
UAE, July 14, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), successfully conducted a workshop at the head office of the UAE Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently as part of its strategic initiatives to promote the institution and its milestones as well as raise public awareness of outer space technology. The workshop was held at the RTA Auditorium and was attended by officials and employees from RTA’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Center.
During the workshop, space experts Ammar al Muhairi, Mohamed Bin Neshooq, Hessa Al Matrooshi, Eman Al Tunaiji, and Ghariba Salem made presentations about EIAST, its space programs, and its two fully functioning satellites – the Dubai Sat-1 and Dubai Sat-2. Their discussions revolved around various topics such as the remote sensing change detection, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Dubai Sat-2’s image specifications, image classification, and EIAST’s image enhancement and analysis tool. They also shared the 3D images captured by the satellites with the audience.
Further, the delegation tackled EIAST’s ongoing Khalifa Sat project, which is being developed by a team of Emirati engineers. Khalifa Sat will be launched into outer space in 2017. At the end of the workshop, an open forum was held to enable EIAST personnel to address questions and clarifications from the participants.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “The recently concluded workshop staged at the RTA was one of the many initiatives that we plan to do to raise public awareness of space science and technology. At EIAST, we want to educate the public about the role of space science in their everyday lives and how crucial it is in Dubai’s overall development and progress. During the event, our delegation did not only tackle EIAST’s landmark achievements but also how RTA could use and apply the data being captured by Dubai Sat-2 in its operations. Through this workshop and future events, we hope to generate the interest of the general population, especially the young Emiratis, to join us in our ultimate goal to position UAE as a global leader in the field of science and technology.”
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 to encourage scientific innovation and technological progress in Dubai and in the UAE. It also aims to develop the scientific skills and knowledge of Emiratis. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.
University Partners with University of Madrid to Host Lectures on Architecture
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 4thJune, 2014 – ALHOSN University hosted delegates from the Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM) for a series of 3 lectures on architecture. The knowledge-sharing event was the first of its kind since a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two universities in October 2013. Students and faculty had the opportunity of sharing with world-renowned Spanish professors and architects in-depth lectures, seminars and discussions of major academic interest.
The event opened on Monday afternoon with a talk on The Modernity of Al Hambra by Dr. Miguel Jaime, Assistant professor of the Department of Architectural Engineering, ALHOSN University, he said, “The Islamic Palace of Al Hambra is a masterpiece of architecture. The Alhambra is part of the lost history of the contributions of Islamic culture to western modernity. Owen Jones, the founder of British design, was so obsessed with the palace that he derived the principles of modern design from it. Le Corbusier based his famous “Architectural Promenade” on Arabic architecture and it is at the Alhambra that this inspiration is clearest. In Spain, La Alhambra inspired the reinterpretation of modern international style giving birth to some of the best contemporary Spanish architecture”
Professors from UEM followed Dr. Jaime with their seminars on recent developments in the sector of architecture and education. Dr. Pedro Pablo Arroyo, Academic Director of Architecture, Building Engineering and Civil Engineering UEM conducted a talk on Building the Cities of the Future: Contemporary Golden Age of Spanish Architecture. It was followed by a seminar on Metacities and the Education of the Future by Dr. Jose Luis Esteban Penelas, Chair and Professor UEM & Director of the AIR Labs Research Group, and Nestor Montenegro, Assistant Professor UEM, Director of the Tricontinental Masters in Integrated Architectural Projects.
ALHOSN University is honoured to have the opportunity to host these acclaimed professors of UEM. They have many awards and achievements to their name. “The topics for the seminar are pertinent and a reflection of the growth in industry. The sessions have been of great benefit to our students as they develop a deeper understanding of architecture from a multicultural perspective This is the first step of many to further to the relationship between the two universities, and a prelude to many more mutually rewarding opportunities.
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About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University currently consists of 3 Faculties: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which includes the Department of Education, English Department and Social Sciences Department; Faculty of Business, which includes the Departments of Business Administration and Management Information Systems; and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which includes the Departments of Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Interior Design, Software Engineering, and Urban Planning.
ALHOSN University is in Al Musalla- Abu Dhabi, it was founded in 2005. It followed a segregated learning system with separate study buildings for men and women. Since its conception, ALHOSN University has introduced exciting programs in a variety of disciplines that are in great demand nationally, regionally, and internationally.
About the speakers from Universidad Europea de Madrid:
Dr. Pedro Pablo Arroyo: Director of the Department of Architecture, UEM. Educated in Spain, Argentina, Japan and UK (2 PhD degrees + Postdoc), Dr. Pedro Pablo has professional practice offices in Shanghai and Madrid. Has published and exhibited his work in in USA, Japan, Italy (Venice Biennale) and Spain. His research has focused mainly on bridging the gap between art and architecture, public housing, CAD, and heritage. His practice has received several awards in China, Spain and USA.
All-Female Team of Emirati Students from Zayed University Grabs Top Prize at Business for Better 2014
Shamma Alfahim and Sumaia Alharthi’s business plan of Multi-Gym facility for pregnant and elderly women wins AED 90,000 worth of scholarship
Teams from Manipal University and Abu Dhabi University stood second and third place respectively, 2014 edition introduces three new categories–‘Most Innovative Idea,’ ‘Most Socially Responsible Business’ and ‘Best Presentation Skills’
UAE, June 3, 2014 – An all-female team of Emirati students from Zayed University in Abu Dhabi won top honors at this year’s Business for Better competition for their business concept of a Multi-Gym facility for pregnant and elderly women. The winning team, comprising of Shamma Alfahim and Sumaia Alharthi took home AED 45,000 worth of scholarships each. The competition, which is organized by Western Union, a leader in global payment services, and Al Ansari Exchange, a UAE-based foreign exchange and worldwide money transfer company, held the awards ceremony recently at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina. The winners were determined after 13 shortlisted teams that represented various reputed universities from the UAE, presented their business concepts to a panel of judges earlier in the day.
The 13 student teams made detailed presentations of their plans for sustainable business. Judges reviewed the presentations based on the criteria of ‘Originality of the Idea,’ ‘Business Concept and Description,’ ‘Proposed Implementation and Methodology,’ and ‘Financial Planning and Corresponding Budgets.’ Aside from Hatem Sleiman, Regional Vice President, Western Union, and Kamal Asif, Head of Business Development, Al Ansari Exchange, and the judging panel comprised of Imad Ghandour, Founder & Managing Director, CedarBridge Partners and Lisa Labonte, Founder & Chief Executive Office, Arab Youth Venture Foundation.
Rashed Ali Al Ansari, General Manager, Al Ansari Exchange, said: “We are very proud of the students who have joined this year’s ‘Business for Better 2014’ competition, whose entries have demonstrated creativity, potential and key marketability. Al Ansari Exchange has remained true to its commitment of implementing CSR initiatives. This year’s competition has allowed us to work closely again with our partners at Western Union to provide practical guidance to all participating students to help them shape their entrepreneurial skills and try to make a difference in the UAE’s education and business sector. We congratulate all the winners and wish them great success in theor academic and professional careers.”
Hatem Sleiman said: “All the participants in ‘Business for Better 2014’ competition presented viable business plans and it was a tough call for the judges to select the three winners. The winning team had successfully identified the need for a specialty gym with a focus on expectant mothers and elderly women. They presented their business concept effectively, covering all aspects of a thriving business such as the implementation of the idea, marketing plan, and a well thought off revenue model.”
“At Western Union we understand that education is one of the surest paths to financial inclusion. The Business for Better competition which we have organized for the 3rd year with our Agent Al Ansari Exchange demonstrates our commitment to support education, grow young minds and to create opportunity for all. We are proud of the achievements of the UAE’s students and thank all the participating universities and their students for their enthusiastic engagement with the competition. We congratulate all the winners for a job well done” Sleiman continued.
Eight universities, including the American University in Sharjah, the American University in Dubai, Zayed University, Heriot Watt University, Abu Dhabi University, University of Sharjah, Amity University and Manipal University participated in the ‘Business for Better 2014’ competition. Beside the shortlisted teams and judges, the family and friends of the students, university representatives, and senior executives from Western Union and Al Ansari Exchange, also attended the award ceremony.
The winning concept was the business proposal for a multi-gym especially for pregnant and elderly women along with teenagers and children. The proposed gym offers fitness programs, including yoga, aerobics and weightlifting for expectant mothers in order to keep them fit and healthy all through their pregnancy. In addition, there are specially designed Wii game programs for children and teenagers suffering from obesity. Other special features include exercises for elderly ladies to help fight age-related ailments such as arthritis and osteoporosis, fish pedicure, and a child center.
Grabbing second place was the team composed of Ahmed Abdur Rahman, Abdul Jabbar and Muhammed Anas from Manipal University, who were awarded AED 30,000 each as the prize money. The Abu Dhabi University’s team of Israr Ahmed, Muhammed Abdulla and Waleed Ihsan was placed third in the competition and received AED 20,000 each. The judging panel also handed over special awards for ‘Most Innovative Idea’ to the team of Khaled Gaber and Ahmed Elsayed from the American University of Sharjah, ‘Most Socially Responsible Business’ to the team of Nikhil Kumar, Meghna Nambissan and Shyair Ganglani from American University in Dubai and ‘Best Presentation Skills’ to the team of Yasmeen Rwaished and Mohanad Rwaished from American University of Sharjah. Participating students were presented with Certificates of Participation and Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their efforts.
ALHOSN University Accepted in the Association of Arab Universities
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1stJune, 2014 – ALHOSN University proudly announces its acceptance in the Association of Arab Universities. Members of the board, staff and fraternity take pride in the achievement as the Abu Dhabi based education institution attained its rightful recognition. A total of 240 universities from 22 countries are members of the association, working to support and connect universities in the Arab world, and to enhance cooperation among them. The recent honour for ALHOSN University marks the continued efforts it has made in the education sector.
The university is distinct in many ways. Further to the royal name that it derives from Abu Dhabi’s historic Al Hosn Palace, the university stays true to its name by giving the best to the students and the community. Since its inauguration in 2005 the university has become an acclaimed hub of knowledge sharing and growth. Respected for the high-quality, value-based education that it delivers, ALHOSN University currently offers 18 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences.
The motto of ALHOSN University, “Global Knowledge with Local Vision”, is much more than just a slogan. It is a philosophy and a firm belief in the values of global knowledge combined with local traditions which are steeped in history. Dr. Munther Momany, Vice Chancellor and CEO of ALHOSN University said, “I think it is imperative for us as education providers to shift our focus. The most important objective of education should be to teach the students to know how to use, relate, implement, and expand their knowledge responsibly. By sustaining the student in his process of acquiring the savoir-faire, education will enable individuals to be valuable contributors to the economy as well as leading innovators differentiating as such their nations. Education should teach the students how to produce actions and reactions adapted to human society and the environment.”
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| Munther Momany, Vice Chancellor and CEO of ALHOSN University with Prof. Sultan Abuorabi Al Adwan Secretary General of Association of Arab Universities (AAU) |
“We encourage thought and learning. Student activities like art, science and book clubs engage interaction and exchange of ideas. We want to strive to create in our students a fire to achieve. These youngsters are the future of our nation. While it is necessary to earn a living and common to aspire for the good things in life, education should be beyond that. It should expand the mind and foster values and beliefs that lead to a responsible world and life views. Our students are therefore being honed with deeper layers of knowing how to serve others, to discern if it is for the greater good, or to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of the society,” he added.
ALHOSN University believes in educating professionals to be leaders for a modern community. As an institution of higher education, it prides itself on being a creative agent for change and diversity. It pledges to emphasize a faculty-student learning community that promotes the value of service and research and employs collaborative educational strategies that develop teamwork, utilizes real-life experience, fosters caring, and prepares for the realities of the marketplace of the future. ALHOSN University envisions becoming internationally recognized as a university where all of its members are committed to producing graduates with a solid foundation of career and life skills. In order to accomplish this, AHU intends to create a community of learners, where a learner is an individual who is empowered, informed, and responsible. “The different committees and student bodies that we have are proactive in the frequent workshops and field trips that we conduct. The Services and Activities Committee (SAC) of the Faculty of Business organized two field trips to NEOPHARMA recently. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences arranged its first informatory lecture titled “Sustainable Development and Green Path” by Dr. Ali Al Amoudi, UAE Environmental Consultant and Senior Environmental Engineer at TAKREER – ADNOC. The Mechanical and industrial engineering Department invited Dr. Mabrouk O. Allagi, a nuclear energy expert and a radiation specialist to speak on the Nuclear Energy application in the UAE. These are all initiatives we take to give our students a fuller and more hands on understanding of how the industries on the ground work and what the pressing issues that need the attention of the next generation are,” said Dr. Marko Savic Provost for Quality Assurance and Development “For education to be complete, there has to be a holistic approach. Students and graduates are more than employable minds whose corporate careers are the only yardstick for being successful. They should also exhort themselves to learn and to grow towards responsible citizenship. Therein lies the big difference – the former is merely what it means to be schooled, and the latter is how it is to be educated.”
AHU has been in close association with the Australian Council for Educational Research ( ACER) on the recently conducted graduate destination survey for Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC). “This was the first of its kind study done in the region and the survey response rate from ALHOSN University graduates was 74.2% which is high above the mean (50.8%). This fact puts our results in a very high reliability range. Furthermore, the overall employment rate among our fresh graduates is 77.9% which is far higher than the overall or indeed our peer institutions average (overall mean is 60.8%, and private institutions mean is 69.9%). Building on the trust of our patrons we are currently inching forward with our expansion plans in Dubai. We want to develop and grow from the strong foundation of repute that has been established,” added Dr. Savic. “An awareness has to be on what is and can be. With the support of media and the community we can spread the word about our endeavors and ideology. A better know how of our system of education and administration will give higher appreciation for the progress that we are steadily making,” he concluded.
About Al HOSN University
ALHOSN University currently consists of 3 Faculties: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which includes the Department of Education, English Department and Social Sciences Department; Faculty of Business, which includes the Departments of Business Administration and Management Information Systems; and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which includes the Departments of Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Interior Design, Software Engineering, and Urban Planning.
ALHOSN University is in Al Musalla- Abu Dhabi, it was founded in 2005. It followed a segregated learning system with separate study buildings for men and women. Since its conception, ALHOSN University has introduced exciting programs in a variety of disciplines that are in great demand nationally, regionally, and internationally.
The University of Salford Launches Plans to Help Drive Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision
New representative office will make teaching, research and professional development in vital skills more widely available across Abu Dhabi
UAE, May 13, 2014 – In the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, The University of Salford (United Kingdom) last night (12 May) launched plans to significantly increase its impact and presence in Abu Dhabi over the coming months, with the aim of driving the development of public and private-sector skills within Abu Dhabi to meet the demands of the 2030 Economic Vision.
Speaking at the launch of the University’s representative office in Abu Dhabi, attended by senior business people and officials, Salford’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Hall announced plans for the development of a wider portfolio of postgraduate and CPD programmes, new educational and industry partnerships, collaborative projects and research initiatives in close consultation with industry and government.
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| Inaugural cake cutting ceremony: Salford’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Hall, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development. |
A newly-focused suite of postgraduate and professional programmes will be developed for Abu Dhabi, to be delivered through a combination of on-line and face-to-face learning. This will cover areas in which Salford has an international reputation for excellence – the built environment, business, energy, healthcare, media and digital, and science and technology – and will include:
- The expansion of postgraduate programmes in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Integrated Design, to drive the development of the highly-skilled workforce required to meet the goals laid out in the Smart City agenda. Since the degree was launched, a number of the large engineering firms transforming the region have received training from Salford in this leading-edge technology, including Arup, whose projects have included the development of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council HQ
- A suite of programmes in key skills areas, including Construction Law and Practice, Construction Management, Clinical Gait Analysis, Financial Services Management, Global Management, Marketing, Occupational Therapy, Quantity Surveying and Fashion Innovation
- A wider range of professional-development courses, from business and law to health, media and energy, and the built environment, which will be made available to both individuals and organisations
Professor Martin Hall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, said: “The launch of our representative office will significantly enhance our rich history of working with educational partners and industry in Abu Dhabi, to deliver high-quality, postgraduate professional education in priority areas for the region and our own areas of expertise.
“Over the past 15 years, we have contributed to the region’s knowledge economy by providing robust degree programmes in partnership with other prestigious universities, government bodies, hospitals, charities and major firms from the private sector. Our academics are ideally positioned to equip the Abu Dhabi’s public and private-sector organisations with the skills they’ll need to respond to the demands set out by the 2030 Vision, which is why we have committed to greatly expand our presence and investment in the region over the next few months.”
The university will also embark on new, cutting-edge collaborative research that addresses the real-world problems of today and tomorrow and helps industry to harness research and development for the future competitiveness of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
Professor Hall added: “As the city seeks to respond to the pace of technological change and harness the capabilities of research and development for future competitiveness, there has never been a greater industry requirement in Abu Dhabi for real-world research.
“Our increased presence in Abu Dhabi will also mean wider access to our modern, dynamic and exceptionally-equipped research centres and support from our teams of highly-experienced academics.”
Employees from firms in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider Middle East, regularly come to Salford to attend executive summer schools and block-intensive CPD delivery. On-site delegates can train at the Salford campus and unique digital learning, teaching and research space in MediaCityUK – home to the BBC and one of the hotbeds for creative and digital innovation in Europe.
Industry partners within the Abu Dhabi over the past few years have included Malfraq hospital, to which Salford specialists have provided consultancy and training to ensure best practice and management of diabetic foot-care, to the significant benefit of the local population.
GETEX Spring 2014 Offers Tailor-Made Sponsorship Opportunities to Global Education Services Providers
Leading international educational institutions looking to benefit from UAE’s AED 10.2 million private education sector
UAE, March 31st, 2014 – According to recent reports, the GCC student population has witnessed a steady growth and is predicted to reach 11.3 million by 2020. The UAE’s private education sector is the biggest in the region with an estimated value of AED 10.2 million. With greater emphasis by the government on enhancing education standards in the country, through various progressive strategies and policies, the UAE boasts a lucrative investment landscape for leading regional and global education institutions.
GETEX, the Gulf Education & Training Exhibition, Middle East’s longest running student sourcing event, presents a host of value-added sponsorship opportunities for international education providers, academic institutions and ancillary service providers. Running from April 9 to 11, 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), the region’s most renowned student recruitment fair will serve as an effective gateway for education providers to achieve maximum brand exposure as well as instant market penetration into the UAE’s education market. Besides ensuring brand visibility to a mass target audience, GETEX sponsorships encompass a longer brand recall that transcends beyond the duration of the show itself.
A new feature of the show, sponsoring the Counsellors Forum will provide an easy passage for education providers to reach out to practicing student counsellors in the UAE, who play the role of influencers and specifiers in shortlisting higher education options for students. Aside from the benefit of being noticed and endorsed for a study program, there will also be a speaking slot for sponsors at this forum.
Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), explained the value of the various sponsorship opportunities at GETEX: “As organizers of GETEX, we have over the years, become more and more attuned to our clients’ ongoing marketing challenges as they encounter progressively higher competitive pressures and constraints in communicating their marketing messages to a specific target audience. Having been involved with the sector for over a quarter of a century, we realize that Education is increasingly becoming ‘marketing-driven’. We are pleased that GETEX sponsorship programmes have always delivered great value to education and training institutes, owing to their unique, customized quality of taking into account the specific branding needs of the sponsor and offering them a targeted value in return for their investment. Brand visibility, an event-based focus and instant networking opportunities are just some of the benefits associated with GETEX sponsorship offers.”
GETEX 2014 is supported by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the Dubai Knowledge Village and the Dubai International Academic City. Spread across an area of 14,000 square meters, the event will facilitate the interaction between students and educational institutions from India, Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Turkey, Lebanon, Ireland, and all over the world. It will enable over 30,000 students to know more about 2,500 featured programs from universities worldwide. For more information, log on to: http://www.mygetex.com/.
Nord Anglia Education – Abu Dhabi
English is one of the most spoken languages in the world with over 500 million speakers. It is also the official language of more countries than any other language. As a result, many countries If you have children and plan to send them to school in Abu Dhabi, then it’s in your best interest to ensure that English is a part of the curriculum. Our capability to learn languages is at its peak when we are younger and children have a natural aptitude for languages that can flourish in the right environment. In Abu Dhabi, learning to speak English is an incredibly important life skill, one that can have a significant impact on your future.
For example, if you want to enter university in Abu Dhabi then you need to know the English language. In the case of Abu Dhabi, the Head of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture, Youth and Social Development Nahyan bin Mubarak stressed the importance of its citizens maintaining a bi-lingual culture between Arabic and English. He believes that knowing English allows Abu Dhabi to remain connected to other parts of the world, and he’s not wrong. The English language has played a huge part in the world of international business and often serves as a common language between countries, and there’s a huge array of jobs and opportunities out there for bi or multi-linguists. Knowing more than one language is a sure fire way to open doors in Abu Dhabi.
Because this focus on language is so strong, this means that every application to university is subject to being rewarded the relevant score for your course. Students will not be able to start their degrees unless they pass the English test and there are no plans for this to change any time soon. Thankfully this focus on languages has resulted in the installation of excellent linguistics programmes in the country’s schools. After all, if it’s a national requirement to know English in order to attend university then it’s in the country’s best interest to ensure that this is happening. Nord Anglia Education, for example, has a school in Abu Dhabi that offers a comprehensive linguistics programme as part of their curriculum, which includes English. Knowing English will allow your children to succeed in Abu Dhabi and elsewhere, helping them to find good work as well as offering them fantastic opportunities overseas. Essentially, learning English is a requirement if you’re interested in further education, one that is to be taken very seriously. Securing your child a place in one of these schools is an absolute must.
As you can see, English is a language of equal importance to the native Arabic in modern Abu Dhabi, and it’s one that’s playing an increasingly key part in its residents’ lives. If you have children and are raising them in Abu Dhabi, then you should be considering whether this is being in their education at present or what your long-term plans are for when your children do begin school.