Dubai, Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - The Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) opened in Dubai today with 30,000 visitors expected to tour the 450 stands offering study options in almost 40 countries.
Now in its 23rd year, GETEX 2008 has this year seen the launch of the Global Conference for Technology & Innovation in Education, a joint initiative between IC&E and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
GETEX and the Conference are supported by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General at KHDA, gave the opening address at the conference yesterday (Tuesday, April 1).
He said, “The opportunities that new technology brings to the classroom make this a truly exciting time to be a student. We need to remember, though, that new technology is only as good as the human being who has created it or is using it. The two elements together, technology and people, are what will bring more and more innovation to the process of learning.”
A panel on ‘Being on the Right Side of the Digital Divide’ was chaired by Hind Al Mualla, the KHDA’s Chief of Innovation. She spoke about the ‘digital divide’, the gap between those people who have access to technology and those who do not, as well as those who know how to use it and those who do not.
She said, “It was interesting to hear the views of delegates to the conference on the growth of digital learning for students of all ages. This subject always leads to a lively discussion as it affects everyone; no-one is untouched by the many ways in which technology is part of everyday life and learning.”
GETEX is at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre until Saturday, April 5. The KHDA’s exhibition stand will be at A190 in Zabeel Hall. Students wanting information about study, training and work opportunities in Dubai can visit the stand, or contact the KHDA at info@khda.gov.ae.