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Dubai International Academic City launched
Among the very first announcements at this year's Gulf Education and Training Exhibition was Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) announcing the launch of Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the world's only free zone dedicated to international higher education.
- Reema Saffarini, Staff Report
- Published: 00:00 April 14, 2007
- Image Credit: Tracy Brand/Gulf News
- Located in Dubai Academic City, DIAC will serve as the regional base for premier international higher education institutions.
Among the very first announcements at this year's Gulf Education and Training Exhibition was Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) announcing the launch of Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the world's only free zone dedicated to international higher education.
Located in Dubai Academic City, DIAC will serve as the regional base for premier international higher education institutions.
The initiative is part of a long-term strategy to develop the region's talent pool, said Dr Ayoub Kazim, executive director of DKV.
Dubai Academic City already houses seven universities. "DIAC will only house international universities separating them from other public colleges and institutions in the area such as Dubai Men's College, Zayed University and other institutes," explained Dr Kazim.
The project is expected to be completed in the next five to seven years according to business projections, he added.
"We have very stringent selection criteria of colleges. However, we are expecting DIAC to house 25 international universities to cater to more than 30,000 students in the future."
Selection of universities
According to Dr Kazim, the selection of international universities depends on a number of criteria including university ranking, strength and programmes that correspond to the UAE's industry needs.
DIAC will be spread across an area of 25 million square foot. There will be areas dedicated to the international education zone, research and development centres, sports facilities, student unions and student and faculty accommodations.
Dr Kazim said DIAC was created in response to the sharp increase in the number of educational institutions from around the world coming to Dubai and those in DKV.
He added that there is no mandate for international universities based in DKV to move to the DIAC.
"DKV is intended to house training and human resources companies. The set-up there is not as appropriate for the universities that need to expand. At DIAC universities have the option of either building their own campus or moving into the ready-made buildings there," he said.
College offers programmes
e-TQM College showcased their new identity for the first time at Getex and revealed their virtual platform of Total Quality Management education. College staff explained the programmes available at the college including their new programmes such as the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) offering professional certificate and diploma programmes.
Data storage software
Edutech Middle East launched the Arabic-enabled version of Xplorer GLX from PASCO at GETEX. It is a stand-alone device that enables students to calculate, analyse, annotate, store and print data. In addition, the company also launched Boxford's Rapid PRO, an advanced and cost-effective prototyping system for educational institutions.
Expanded technology segment
GETEX this year had an expanded didactic technology segment. In its third year of showing, the Gulf Education and Training Equipment & Technology Segment has emerged as a forum for public and private sector buyers from the education and corporate training sectors to source the latest in learning technologies.
Classroom technology
Using the blackboard and chalk is said to have become obsolete. Even though some schools still use the traditional tools when teaching, others have evolved to the extent that instead of collecting schoolbooks at the beginning of the school year, students now collect notebook computers.
Al Mawakeb School in Dubai has already started using the system.
But what is it all about?
"We took the books and digitised them. So when students enter the classroom they already have everything in their notebook computers," said George Akhras, chief information officer of Academia Management Solutions International (AMSI).
Akhras was speaking during the Middle East Forum on Learning Technology held at GETEX.
"Also, during class the teacher is giving a presentation and writing materials, at the end of the lesson all of this in addition to the links and digital information the teacher used in the class is uploaded into the students computers to look at and replay after class," he said.
Further, students who happened to have missed a class will have the opportunity to check out the lesson that day online.
But would this cause an attendance problem? "No, because attendance is mandatory. This facility provides the students with a chance not to miss the class in case they fell ill," he said.
He added that using technology in the classroom will also provide the students with a wealth of information that was never there before.
"Students will also get to share course material with other classes. So instead of going to your friend to copy class material and look at what other information teachers in other classes have given, students can simply access that," said Akhras.
Adonis Nasr of AMSI also added that by giving students the notebook computers, many who were at a mediocre level have improved tremendously.
"The only problem that we might face in the classroom is if the system or internet is down. In this case we ask students to shut everything down and we go back to the white board and the marker, which is still a working tool to date," he said.
In a nutshell
The Event: The 19th Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX)
Venue: Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre
Number of institutes that participated: 350 international and national universities
The organiser: The event was held under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. It was organised by the International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E). The five-day event was inaugurated by Dr Saeed Al Hassani, Undersecretary of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Highlights: Seminars and workshops delivered by industry gurus such as Tawfique Abdullah, chairman of Damas, Mohammad Bin Sulayem, president of the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, and Noor Ali Rashid, the royal photographer.
Conferences: Three concurrent forums were held on the sidelines of the event on learning technology, academic research and human resources development.
Things you need to know:
- GETEX focuses on bringing higher education options to students in the Middle East.
- It is also held in Abu Dhabi and India.
- It has evolved from a student recruitment show to a complete networking forum for the education industry.
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