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‘Hackathon’ competition

Mansoor Bin Mohammed
honors outstanding winners of 
‘Hackathon’ competition

4 young Emirati talents win the title of ‘Innovative Emirati Programmer’
International jury evaluates creative applications in line with UAE’s national policies
Local contestants demonstrate high-level skills in programming, computer thinking systems, digital applications, & electronic games

‘Emirati Programmer’ gives young local talents an opportunity to join global programming competitions

UAE, November 12, 2017– H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the ‘Innovative Emirati Programmer’ winners of the ‘Hackathon’ competition organized by the Emirates Talent Association and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU). The recognition marked the culmination of the successful first batch of the ‘Emirati Programmer,’ the first-of-its-kind national initiative in the UAE launched to enhance the skills of Emirati programmers in programming languages, computer thinking systems, the basics of digital application and electronic games development.

 

The closing ceremony held at HBMSU’s campus saw world-class young Emirati talents and innovators recognized for their competitive programming abilities. Dignitaries attended the event were headed by H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, Chairman of HBMSU’s Board of Governors, and Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association, H.E. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, H.E. Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Majid Hamad Rahma Al Shamsi, member of the National Federation Council and Chairman of Union Coop’s board of directors and HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Attendees applauded the ‘Emirati Programmer’ initiative for laying a solid foundation for human capital development and investing in the country’s human resources to build a future generation capable of driving economic growth driven by modern technology, knowledge, and innovation in line with UAE Vision 2021.
An international jury chose the winners based onset criteria, including the ability to link the creative programming projects to national policies and initiatives such as adopting a competitive and knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.
The four winners of the ‘Innovative Emirati Programmer’ title bagged the Golden Award in four categories. They were Hamdan Al Maqoodi, ‘Developing Game – Kudo Category’ for age group 7-10; Saud Ahmed Al Hosani, ‘Developing Game – Kudo Category’ for age group 11- 15; Shaikha Khalid Al Ali, ‘Developing App – Bloxmob Category’ for age group 7-10; and Saif Adnan Al Marri, ‘Developing App – Swift Category’ forage group 11-15. The four were among the 12 finalists of the ‘Hackathon’ competition, which served as a platform to put the spotlight on the global programming talents.
H.E. Tamim said: “We are proud to honor young talents with enormous creative potentials who have shown thirst for knowledge and strong interest to be part of the development process for a more advanced and prosperous future. Furthermore, the ‘Emirati Programmer’ has pushed young people to be creators of a bright future for all using their talents and achieve the highest international ranks. This success has further inspired us to excel in preparing a generation of qualified, innovative, and creative local and international young programmers. ”
“The strong partnership between the Emirates Talent Association and HBMSU has been recognized as a model for constructive cooperation among national entities for youth development. It is also aligned with what H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said, ‘The youth is the future and hope of our country.’ We are undoubtedly taking proactive steps to provide the world of programming with creative talents who have confidence, knowledge, determination, and leadership to guide the economy towards the highest levels of innovation and creativity,” H.E. added.
Aside from the Gold Award, Silver and Bronze Awards were also given across the four categories. The international judges comprised technology professionals led by Lewis Hall, English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) Manager, Apple Distinguished Educator; Rayan Karaky, Head of DoubleClick MENA & Turkey, Google; Ahmed Ebrahim, Microsoft Gulf Teacher Engagements Manager; and Hanan Hasan, Head of Technology Development at Al Ittihad National Private School in Abu Dhabi, Apple Distinguished Educator.
Hall said: “As a jury member, it is an honor to witness the creativity and innovative skills of young Emirati talents, who have exhibited strong potentials in programming. I am glad to see their eagerness to develop applications relevant to local society and have the potentials to address future challenges. We are also confident that the ‘Emirati Programmer’ initiative was a step in the right direction to build a generation capable and qualified to develop applications supporting the progress of the UAE and the rest of the world.”
Karaky thanked the Emirates Talent Association and HBMSU for the opportunity to be one of the judges. He said: “It is inspiring to see the youth using their imagination combined with their capabilities to master programming languages, which play a major role in the modern era. We are looking forward to seeing more talented Emirati entrepreneurs, application developers, and programmers in the future. Allow me also to announce that we are turning Shaikha’s proposal into a reality by putting her application in our application store. Additionally, I will continuously follow the projects and innovations of other promising talents to instill creativity and innovation in the UAE.”
After the ceremony, the winners presented their applications and projects at the ‘Coding Expo.’
The winners in the ‘Developing App – Bloxmob’ (7 to 10 years old) category are Shaikha Khalid Al Ali – Diabetes Learning Bag (Gold); Sarah Saeed Al Awar – Read-ester (Silver); and Wid Hamad Al Awar – Slime Angle (Bronze); and in the ‘Developing App – Swift’ (11 to 15 years old), Saif Adnan Al Marri – Discount Me IN (Gold); Abdulla Al Jawi- Discover Dubai (Silver); and Mohammed Alowais – Family Hub (Bronze). 
The victors in the ‘Developing App – Swift’ (7 to 10 years old) are Hamadan Al Maqoodi – Road Kill (Gold); Zayed Saif Al Zaabi – Death Road (Silver); and Ali Saif Al Zaabi – Save Water Save Life (Bronze); while Saud Al Hosani – Star Fires (Gold); Hind Saad Abbas – Mars Rock On (Silver); Fahad Al Awadi – Dodge and Race (Bronze) won in ‘Developing Game – Kudo’ (11 and 15 years old) category.
Student Shaikha Khalid Al Ali, Gold Winner of ‘Bloxmob’ for 7 to 10 years old, expressed her happiness for being part of the successful competition. She added that the ‘Emirati Programmer’ initiative provided her with a unique opportunity to acquire key programming and smart application development skills which she used to create her simple and streamlined Diabetes Learning Bag app. She also thanked the Emirates Talent Association, HBMSU, and event organizers for supporting her in achieving her ambition and turning her idea into a concrete application.
About 96 graduates comprised the first batch of the ‘Emirati Programmer’ initiative, 46 of whom qualified for the semi-finals and 12 reached the finals. The participants received high-level training under the direct supervision of renowned instructors who specialize in the three-level ‘Lifelong learning model.’ The training ensured that the local contestants would excel in the “Hackathon” competition. The  ‘Emirati Programmer’ focused on providing talented youth with new knowledge and skills in computer language programming to design games and digital and electronic applications using multiple programming platforms such as Microsoft’s KODU Game Lab, Apple’s Swift, Google’s Blockly, and  ‘Cloud Campus.’
 
 


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7th Abu Dhabi Science Festival

7th Abu Dhabi Science Festival to feature nearly a dozen exciting learning activities for kids at Al Ain Zoo
 
Kids Dig! New Waterlight Graffiti among expected crowd favourites
 
Abu Dhabi, November 07, 2017 – The Abu Dhabi Department for Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced that the 7th Abu Dhabi Science Festival (ADSF) to be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, will include more than 10 exciting learning activities at the Al Ain Zoo, one of the event’s two venues.
Aside from the returning Kids Dig! and Splat! which drew huge crowds at the zoo last year, the latest edition of the Middle East’s premier science festival, running from November 9 to 18 2017, will feature new attractions such as Waterlight Graffiti and The Loony Gas show.
 
Sponsored by Dolphin Energy Limited, Kids Dig! introduces young students to the world of archeology by enabling them to dig up items using real tools used for archeological exploration and helping them interpret their finds.
 
On the other hand, participants can become mini-robot engineers, by attending Cubelets Robot Blocks sessions and creating their own unique robots from blocks and magnetic faces.

The debuting Waterlight Graffiti will bring out children’s artistry by allowing them to create dazzling interactive installations lit by thousands of LED lights from just a sponge, brush, water gun and water atomizer.
 
Engr. Sanad Humaid Ahmed, Vice Chairman of the Innovation Committee at the Abu Dhabi Department for Education and Knowledge, said: “The Abu Dhabi Science Festival has made a significant mark as an educational activity that exposes children to disciplines such as archeology and engineering in a highly engaging and hands-on manner. This year we will once again balance the theoretical and practical aspects of learning through sessions that give students supervised access to the real tools of the trade while explaining to them the importance of the various scientific fields they encounter throughout the festival.”
 
Mr. Adel Ahmed Albuainain, CEO, Dolphin Energy Limited, said: “Children can surprise us with their ability to absorb information and be creative even at their young age. The Abu Dhabi Science Festival provides an excellent learning-themed playground for us to arouse interest in various major scientific fields and inspire the next generation of archaeologists, robotics experts and even artists. We want today’s youths to be comfortable with science and realize that knowledge opens up limitless possibilities.”
 
The 2017 Abu Dhabi Science Festival will feature 71 unique activities. ADEK is coordinating with 15 universities and academic and scientific institutions nationwide for participation in the event. More than 1,000 volunteer higher education students will help deliver the workshops and shows in an engaging and distinctive manner.
ADEK is organizing the 7th annual Abu Dhabi Science Festival simultaneously at both Khalifa Park and the Al Ain Zoo in collaboration with major government and private entities such as Dolphin Energy (Presenting Sponsor), Mubadala and Emirates Transport (Affiliate Sponsors), Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Content Sponsor), Abu Dhabi Media (Exclusive Media Partner), Marina Mall and Dalma Mall (Mall Partners) and several local universities.

Interested parties can obtain festival information, book workshops and purchase tickets in advance electronically via ADSF’s website, www.abudhabisciencefestival.ae, or through a new downloadable official ‘ADSF’ mobile app. 



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UNESCO General Conference in Paris

Mansoor Al Awar presents report for UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education during UNESCO General Conference in Paris
UAE, November 7, 2017 – Dr Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), recently participated in several meetings at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris and presented his report on the UNESCO IITE including ‘Policy Advocacy and Technical Assistance,’ ‘Teacher Professional Development’, ‘Open Education Resources and Digital Pedagogy,’ as well as ‘National Capacity Building for ICT in Health and Wellbeing Education’. 
 
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE)

Al Awar highlighted the activities of the IITE Governing Board, including networking and strategic partnerships as well as challenges and lessons learned. He also emphasized the ongoing efforts to support UNESCO’s initiatives in realizing education’s goals up to 2030 to provide a fair and inclusive education and promote the lifelong learning opportunities for all. On the sidelines of the meetings, Dr. Al Awar also took part in a meeting with H.E. Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education for the UAE and Minister of Education of Switzerland, which addressed common issues and shared interests in education.


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GETEX Autumn 2017

GETEX Autumn 2017 opens doors to more than 5,000 learners keen to take up higher education 
 
Leading education event throws spotlight on occupational & industrial skills, continuing education & professional development
 
November 1, 2017 – Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) Autumn Edition 2017, the latest edition of the leading student recruitment platform in the Middle East and Asia, has opened today (Wednesday, November 1, 2017) at Hall 5 of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre to help more than 5,000 learners around the region find the right educational choice from over 600 courses.

 

The region’s most trusted event for higher education features a wide variety of study streams from over 50 regional and international universities located in eight countries, which are set to open their admissions between November 2017 and April 2018. The courses are focused on occupational and industrial skills, continuing education courses and other professional development offerings.
 
Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, IC&E and organizer of GETEX, said: “We are excited to present to students and parents the range of new courses and career options they can choose from in this year’s Autumn Edition of GETEX. Universities are here to address student’s concerns and present their course options to learners aspiring to study further. Admissions officers and education counselors are ready to offer them career guidance on the appropriate program, including advice on scholarship opportunities.”
 
For more information, please visit: http://www.mygetex.com/


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HBMSU meets with Fujairah University

HBMSU meets with Fujairah University to discuss smart learning
UAE, October 4, 2017 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) Chancellor Dr. Mansoor Al Awar received Prof. Dr. Mohammed Gharseldin, Chancellor of Fujairah University, and his delegates who recently paid the HBMSU a visit to gain insights into its fundamental smart learning initiatives. The visit formed part of Fujairah University’s efforts to build a smart learning environment and learn from HBMSU’s relevant experiences, including but not limited to technology, pedagogy, expansion of library facilities, and research activities. 
 
 
The meeting was also a follow-up on their previous collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of learning in the country to help make the current and future generations globally competitive according to UAE Vision 2021. During the visit, both parties shared key overviews of their respective institution. Dr. Al Awar also took the opportunity to invite the delegates to be part of the upcoming Innovation Arabia 11 conference.
 
 


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‘Champions of Tomorrow’ and ‘Creative Program’ Campaigns

Abu Dhabi Education Council awards winners of Event attended by senior officials, winners & participants & their parents
Abu Dhabi, May 16th 2017- The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) recently concluded its extracurricular activities for the academic year 2016-2017, following the completion of a series of contests and competitions under its ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ and ‘Creative Program’ campaigns.
The initiative falls in line with the Council’s continuous effort and commitment to encourage students to participate in various scientific, cultural, artistic and sport activities with the aim to adopt and develop new talents as well as build their competitiveness and excellence.
The ceremony was held in the presence of many senior officials and was attended by winning students, participants and their parents.
During the event, the participating students were commended for showcasing their cultural and artistic talents and excelling in sports. Gold, silver, and bronze medals along with other prizes were given for the first, second and third places, respectively.
The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative attracted the participation of 75 per cent of ADEC students, giving a tremendous boost to the local education system and developing talents according to the highest international standards and practices. The contests established a spirit of competitiveness and excellence among students in various fields, including science, sports, art and culture. On the other hand, the ‘Creative Program’ is an ideal platform to discover the promising talents that can compete in international events. The program has registered 2593 participants from the school year 2016-2017, with an increase of 1503 students compared to last year; 20 per cent of which are from scientific programs, while the art and music programs attracted 30 per cent of students.
Abu Dhabi Region
H.E. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of School Operations, ADEC, expressed his delight in the increased participation of students in the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ and ‘Creative Program’ initiative. He stated that it reflects a great momentum and a high capability to achieve leadership and excellence at the intellectual, scientific, cultural and athletic level. He also mentioned the remarkable success of this current edition of extracurricular activities in emphasizing social and national participation, enhancing the culture of innovation and excellence for the upcoming generation, and boosting the creative abilities in various sectors that will raise the UAE’s name across the world.
Mr. Al Dhahiri added: “The ‘Creative Program’ is an important milestone in the process of promoting leadership among students while improving their scientific and creative thinking. This is in line with ADEC’s strategic vision to develop the local education system and strengthen student competencies, while benefiting the local and international community.
“The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign reflects the central role of the program in spreading a culture of physical education to uphold the UAE’s position in regional and international sports events. These successes will help us develop the activities, initiatives and competitions aimed at unleashing creative capacities and skills of youth while providing them with knowledge and competencies with emphasis on social and cultural development in accordance to the strategic objectives of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.”
Al Ain Region
The selection of the winning schools was conducted for each educational seminar separately, based on the total score in accordance with the criteria set by the jury. The total number of selected schools were 18 each in Abu Dhabi, the Al Ain Region and the Al Dafrah Region. 


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DuPont Middle East Highlights Importance of Workplace Safety

DuPont Middle East highlights importance of workplace safety to students of Khalifa University of Science & Technology – Petroleum Institute
Initiative aims to strengthen awareness on safety procedures and use of personal protective gear
May 02, 2017 – DuPont Middle East recently held a seminar on workplace safety for students of Petroleum Institute at the Sas Al Nakhl area. The initiative has been designed to raise awareness among students who will soon be pursuing a career in key industries such as oil, gas, mechanical, chemical and petrochemical, where safety risks are higher than in other sectors. The Petroleum Institute is part of the newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
As part of the company’s community outreach program, DuPont aims to educate future engineers on the importance of safety regulations to ensure the wellbeing of the workforce while also reducing hazards and risks at the workplace. DuPont has expressed its commitment in raising awareness among university students on established safety procedures and the proper use of specialized protective gears or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Karim Dirani, Marketing Communications Specialist at DuPont Protection Solutions, discussed common issues in workplace safety and explained the importance of always wearing the right PPEs. The team also conducted a demonstration of Thermo-Man®, the world’s most advanced life-sized thermal burn injury evaluation system. Since the 1970s, the state-of-the-art device has been used worldwide to test the flame resistance of work clothing materials produced by companies across various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, electricity, and fire-fighting services.
 
Dirani said: “Establishing a culture of safety and instilling the habit of protecting one’s self against known risks in the workplace takes a certain degree of awareness that should start even before students begin working as engineers and professionals. DuPont is fully committed to education as an important platform to build and hone the culture of safety and the university is the ideal setting for them to start understanding the value of workplace safety regulations. The seed of awareness has to start here and I fully appreciate the students of Petroleum Institute, for their high regard to this matter as they do with their future profession.”
 
Dr. Ali Al Mansoori, ‎ Executive Vice President for Academics at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, added: “We laud DuPont’s efforts to enlighten students on the various aspects of workplace safety and regulations – including the protective gears that can be used and how they are manufactured to protect them. This event definitely contributes to their knowledge and awareness of their future workplaces and what they must never forget as soon as they move on to their roles as professionals in their chosen field.”
 


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Emirates College for Management & Information Highlights UAE’s Higher Education Growth Path at Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016

Increasing number of international schools and student mobility present unique opportunities for education sector
UAE, December 25, 2016 – The UAE is increasingly gaining global importance as an ideal destination for investments in higher education as the Gulf nation gives top priority to education as a means to achieving economic success and development, said Prof. AbdulSattar A. Al-Alusi, President and CEO of Emirates College for Management & Information (ECMIT), during a presentation held recently at the Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 in Oxford, United Kingdom.
ECMIT, a leading private higher educational institution based in Dubai, participated at the summit held under the theme ‘Investment in Science and Education: Investing in the Future.’ Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 is an annual event for education, scientific research and business.
During the summit, Prof. Al-Alusi noted: “The UAE Government envisions an exceptional system of higher education based on innovation, academic excellence and scientific research. Its policies and regulations, programmes and initiatives are all formulated to meet its overarching goal of building a knowledge-based economy. The results of such efforts are visible in the growth and internationalization of higher education in the country.”
Data shows that the UAE has invested AED 10 billion into the education sector – equivalent to a 22 per cent increase in governmental spending on education, both general and higher.
“The UAE Government’s higher education strategies have attracted international student mobility to the country, which has exponentially grown to more than 37 branch campuses within the last 10 years – the highest number among 200 worldwide higher education providers. This has been achieved by providing the platform for the construction of state-of-the-art campuses, investor-friendly regulations and policies, world-class support services to migrating students, and a wide array of degree specializations that meet current job market requirements,” he added.
Prof. Al-Alusi further explained that in order to ensure excellent access to both public and private higher education for citizens and residents, the UAE adopts several measures and guidelines including promoting educational institution leadership in the areas of R&D, creativity, innovation and competitiveness; ensuring the sustainability of a quality control system based on learning outcomes and academic integrity; strengthening partnerships with industry to align educational outcomes and labor market needs; promoting a culture of continuous learning and providing smart learning opportunities; supporting community service and social responsibility; optimizing financial resources and the complementary role between public and private education sectors; and enhancing international cooperation and creating an attractive learning environment for international students.
“The main drivers of growth for higher education in the country lie in policies and infrastructure, and quality and standards. It is evident that the rise of higher education institutions is not random but rather a focused move to boost the economic growth of the country,” he further stated.
Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 was participated by a wide group of decision makers, education leaders, scientists, and representatives of academic institutions, universities and specialized companies from more than 50 countries around the world. Organized by the European Business Association in Oxford, the session focused on the most important issues and aspects in the areas of education and scientific research. The Summit discussed the latest developments and emerging trends on integrating the education, business and science sectors and highlighted the best practices and cutting-edge tools in the field of learning management.


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Emirates College for Management & Information to Discuss Importance of Education in UAE at Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016

To review education sector’s role in country’s efforts towards sustainable & comprehensive growth
UAE, November 30, 2016 –The Emirates College of Management & Information (ECMIT), a leading private higher educational institution based in Dubai, has confirmed its participation in the Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016, the annual event for education, scientific research and business, to be held under the theme ‘Investment in Science and Education: Investing in the Future’ on December 20, 2016 in Oxford, the UK. Prof. AbdulSattar A. Al-Alusi, President and CEO of the ECMIT will head the delegation representing the institution at the Summit.

Prof. AbdulSattar A. Al-Alusi, President and CEO of the ECMIT.

During the event, Prof. Al-Alusi will throw the spotlight on the most prominent features that have led to the growth and development in the UAE’s education sector. He will also review the role of the education sector in supporting the sustainable and comprehensive progress of the country, with a particular focus on the most important initiatives and achievements in its ambitious pursuit to be one of the leading regional and international educational centers. In addition, the ECMIT delegation will highlight the major investment and key features of the local educational infrastructure such as the development policies and innovative actions taken by the UAE in order to promote the domestic education sector.
Dr. Al-Alusi said: “The UAE has come a long way in the Higher Education and Scientific Research field in the light of the dynamic changes witnessed by this sector in the recent years to become a fundamental pillar of the national economy. The sector has further fueled the overall social and economic development to contribute in enhancing the country’s position as a leading global destination for science and education. The education sector has a special priority in the UAE as it is an integral part in the process of transition to an economy that is based on knowledge and innovation. Moreover, it is driven by a number of ambitious initiatives and policies that reflect the approach of excellence, leadership and innovation adopted by the country’s visionary leadership.”
Al-Alusi added: “Our participation in the Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 complements our relentless commitment to actively participate in international events and forums to share knowledge and the best international experiences and practices in the field of higher education. We look forward to our presence in this year’s edition of the flagship event, which provides a platform to highlight the UAE’s most prominent educational components and review its pivotal role in shaping the future of the education sector in the region and the world. The event will also discuss the features of the strategic plan adopted by the ECMIT, which is specially designed to suit the ambitious objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 aimed at making the country one of the world’s best at all levels”.
The Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 will witness the participation of a wide group of decision makers, education leaders, scientists, and representatives of academic institutions, universities and specialized companies from more than 50 countries around the world. Organized by the European Business Association in Oxford, the session will identify the most important issues and aspects in the areas of education and scientific research. The Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 will discuss the latest developments and emerging trends on integrating education, business and science sectors, in addition to highlighting the best practices and cutting-edge tools in the field of learning management.


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International Conferences & Exhibitions to launch International Student Fest this November

Debuting show to complement UAE’s robust education sector predicted to touch 1.4 million in 2020
Dubai, UAE – September 7th, 2016 – International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), one of the longest-standing international exhibition houses in the Middle East, has announced the launch of the International Student Festival to ensure that students in the region have a common event that they can relate to as well as own. The move complements a recent industry survey, which forecasts that the number of students in schools and universities in the UAE will grow at an annual of 4.1 per cent to reach 1.4 million in 2020 from 1.1 million in 2015. The pioneering event will take place from November 24 to 26, 2016 at Meydan Grandstand and Convention Centre in Dubai. 

Specially designed for the UAE’s multi-cultural community, the International Student Festival will provide a central stage supplemented by displays, seminars, workshops to connect youth coming from diverse cultural backgrounds. The show aims to position itself as the annual confluence of discussions, debates and discoveries that facilitates dynamic, creative and competitive learning facilitated by inter-college competitions in sports, fashion, and culinary skills, among others.
Aside from being beneficial to youth, the 2016 International Student Festival will provide a perfect platform for exhibitors to meet thousands of prospective students and develop personal relationships. In addition, it will provide participants with vast opportunities to display and demonstrate their products live on the spot to the audience as well as receive immediate feedback.

“The region’s education sector has registered a significant growth in student enrollments driven by population expansion, rise in disposable income, and enhancement in educational infrastructure. Aided by this robust growth and coupled with demand among students for a show that offers learning beyond the classroom, we have decided to introduce the International Student Festival as an informative and engaging venue for both visitors and participants. We are confident that the newly launched event will serve to initiate dialogue within the UAE’s international student community and bring out the best in them,” concluded Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions.