ABU DHABI: The 5th annual Gulf Education Conference and Exhibition which was attended by a galaxy of academicians, politicians, bureaucrats, exhibitors from all over the globe has concluded here today.
His Excellency, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, UAE, who patronized the two-day event, inaugurated the Conference at the sprawling auditorium of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research on Wednesday.
Its for the first time, the Gulf Conference was patronized by someone whose contribution in the youth and community development has touched sky heights over the years.
We were honoured having Sheikh Nahayan here talking about the importance of vocational education and education as a whole, Sebastian Courage, Executive Director, Head of Globe Sales for the Gulf Conferences, said.
The Director of the Conference, Abdulkhalig Mohamed, while underlining the importance of the patronising a global conference of this level by Sheikh Nahayan said: “This is the first time the Gulf Education Conference and Exhibition conducted every year, is hosted in the GCC with the support of Sheikh Nahyan. We have been overwhelmed with the level of delegates present and the outcomes of this year’s conference.”
Were honoured to have had the valuable input and guidance of great education leaders and champions, Abdelkhalig said. Amongst these were Sheikh Nahyan, Professor Sultan Abu-Orabi, Secretary-General of the Association of the Arab Universities, Tawfiq Al Khoja, Director-General of the Executive Board of the Health Ministers Council of the GCC, and David Lock, Director of International Projects, Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
Underlining the importance of holding the Conference in the GCC region, the Director of the International projects, the leadership Foundation, David Lock who chaired the conference said: This years Conference focuses on the most important theme for the region and for education globally; education and employment seen from the perspectives of both, and looking at how they relate to each other more effectively.
He said the sole motive of conducting the Conference in Abu Dhabi was to impart it a semblance of a kindred relationship with the region that it actually belongs to. All other Conferences so far were conducted outside the Gulf region, Mr Lock said. We were very happy to have so many sponsors whose stakes lie in the region reflecting this with Oxford International , ADVETI, Qatar University, Higher Colleges of Learning, American University in the Emirates, Ellucian, GLION, Oxford International Group, Sennheiser, University of London, University of East London, University of London, Future Digital to name a few.
Sheikh Nayhan spoke about the importance of holding such a conference which he described sensitized the attendance with regard to the challenged that the modern-day education came up with. The level of my happiness is indescribable and I was more than willing it give the Conference all the support it needed, the Minister said.
Later, the Minister gave away awards to those whose contribution to Education had won them the claim they deserved.
Those who were awarded included:
- Champion of Education: H.E. Dr Amal Al Qubaisi DG of Abu Dhabi Education Council
- Distinguished Contribution: H.H. Sheika Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family affairs Sharjah
- The Most Effective Internal Partnership: Abhu Dhabi Police GHQ, Ministry of Interior. The award was presented to H.E. Major General Mohammed Bin Al Awadi Al Menhali, General Director of Police Operations and Head of the Quality and Excellence Team at Abu Dhabi
- Cadet Pilot program: Etihad Airlines received by Wissam Hachem
- Best Technology Provider for Higher Education: ITS, received by ITS CEO, Mr Nasir Al Bikawi
- The Most Effective Scheme in Motivating Academic Staff to Engage with the Employability Agenda: TVTC, received by Eng Khalid Al Afari
Among the people categories, the following were awarded as:
- Abu Dhabi Science Festival: Abu Dhabi Technology Committee, received by H.E Ahmed Saeed AlCalily, Director General
- Lifetime Achievement Award to H.E. Alhasan aladaoudi Minister of Higher Education, Moroco
- Education and Training Global leader Award: H.E. Major General Mohammed Bin Al Awadi Al Menhali, General Director of Police Operations and Head of the Quality and Excellence Team at Abu Dhabi
As a token of acknowledgement for his unmatched contribution to the overall development with respect to Culture and Youth Service and Community Development, His Excellency, Sheikh Nayhan Bin Mumarak Al Nahyan, was conferred upon a doctorate in Philosophy. The day continued with heartwarming sessions of lectures and interactions by ministers, bureaucrats, technocrats and representatives from the corporate sector.
The Conference highlighted the importance of vocational education vis a vis its priority in the region. The topics that many different speakers touched upon comprehensively aimed at addressing the solutions in the region for this to turn into reality.
The Gulf Conference has rapidly become the premier B2B conference and it looks like it will be even more impressive in the future.