From blockchain to blended learning, GESS Dubai to feature latest education innovations
Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 20 February 2019 – The Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) show scheduled in Dubai later this month will put the spotlight on the latest innovations from around that world that could pave the way for a dramatic transformation of education in the Middle East.
“From harnessing the power of blockchain and digital technologies to unleashing the potential of blended learning, education leaders and professionals will hear the latest insights from world-leading experts on how to enhance teaching and learning experiences across schools in the region,” said Matt Thompson, Project Director, Tarsus F&E, organisers of GESS Dubai scheduled to take place on 26-28 February 2019 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Organised in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Education and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, GESS Dubai has lined-up powerful keynote presentations for the entire duration of the three-day show that is expected to gather thousands of education stakeholders from around the Middle East.
His Excellency Engineer Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, will deliver the opening remarks that will provide a pivotal update on the Emirates’ pioneering initiatives in education.
Aligning its theme with the UAE’s proclamation of 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, GESS Dubai has adopted the theme of Empathy, hoping to Inspire, Empower and Flourish with nine prominent leaders in the field of education delivering keynote presentations on the subject, including Dame Darcy Bussell DBE (Fostering Empathy through Dance), Dr Anantha Kumar Duraiappah (Predators to Nurturers), Dr Ilona Boniwell (Positive Education: Global Developments in Well-Being and Resilience Education), Dr Michele Borba (Empathy is a Verb: New Lessons for Student Success in the Digital Age), Gilda Scarfe (Empowering Students through a Strengths-Based Approach to Bullying Education), Joseph South (Empowering Learners in a Connected World), Nicola Morgan (Inside the Learning Brains in Your Classroom), Olli-Pekka Heinonen (Education Systems as an Innovation Platform in for Lifelong Learning) and Professor Peter Barrett (Designing the Emphatic Classroom).
Digital transformations for better performance
Among the most highly anticipated keynote presentations at GESS Dubai include global best practices on how digital technologies are being used in classrooms around the world to enable teachers and students achieve better performance.
Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education, will share how schools in the region can develop 21st century skills among students by working closely with start-ups and educational technology experts as practiced in Finland, which has set a global standard for quality education and developing high-achieving and well-rounded individuals.
Meanwhile, Joseph South, Chief Technology Officer of US-based International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), will deliver a presentation on key principles and strategies to implement learning systems that will empower both teachers and learners to achieve better performance in an increasingly digitalised world.
Sallyann Della Casa, Chief Identity hacker at GLEAC, a pioneering education app that allows educators to build, measure, visualise and share a student’s 21st century skills, will put the spotlight on to future-proof students in a world that will increasingly be powered by blockchain technologies.
Trending initiatives on well-being and blended-learning.
But while digital technologies seem to be the buzz phrase for education innovations, schools are also being dynamically transformed by trailblazing initiatives on well-being and blended-learning. Henning Fries, CEO of Bloom Education will shed light on the Rahhal Teaching Programme, which provides an alternative to mainstream education by creating a blended-learning platform that integrates community life with classroom experiences.
Global developments in well-being education will also be discussed in a presentation by France-based Dr. Ilona Boniwell, CEO, Positran, who will provide the latest insights on how positive psychology interventions are being successfully developed in various countries that focus on sustainable well-being of students over short-term learning achievements.
In addition to its top-level conference content, GESS Dubai will also showcase important education initiatives from around the Gulf with participation of the education ministries of Kuwait and Bahrain as well as from Saudi Arabia, whose contingent includes five Tatweer companies, the Saudi Digital Library and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).
On top of these state-led participation, over 500 local and international private companies will also be exhibiting the latest education-focused products and solutions - from hi-tech teaching aides and materials, to innovative STEAM equipment and tools.
Education professionals will also have a chance to network with their peers from 92 countries around the world.
Education professionals can register for GESS Dubai for free by visiting the event website at www.gessdubai.com.
