Sheikh Nahyan inaugurates GETEX Dubai 2009

Sheikh Nahyan inaugurates GETEX Dubai 2009

Fair highlights Gulf’s increasing interest in higher educational standards amidst global economic downturn

April 15, 2009
H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has today (Wednesday, April 15, 2009) inaugurated the 21st edition of GETEX Dubai, the Middle East's leading education fair, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event, which runs until April 18, will focus on the four key areas of Student Recruitment, HRD & Training, Careers 2009, and Education Equipment and Technology 2009.

GETEX Dubai 2009 will also host the 2009 Global Forum on Technology and Innovation in Teaching and Leading and the 2009 HRD & Training Conference. Both are part of the expanded line-up of concurrent conferences and seminars designed to reinforce the fair’s status as the most comprehensive platform for learners, academics, job seekers and education procurement specialists to interact, network and exchange ideas. The exhibition will complement a growing region-wide initiative to improve educational standards in the GCC, particularly in the UAE where the Federal Cabinet has allocated up to 23 per cent of the UAE's AED 42.2 billion 2009 annual budget for the development of the education sector.


Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said, “GETEX Dubai is one of the most important education-oriented exhibitions in the region as it serves as an ideal networking platform for international academic institutes and authorities specialised in the field of education and scientific research. The event also facilitates the exchange of expertise and experience in adopting the latest strategies in the academic domain, while also fostering strategic partnerships that could open new opportunities that will make our standard of education comparable to the best in the world. In line with this, we look forward to continuously supporting this event.”

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), organisers of the event, commented: "GETEX Dubai has again introduced improvements this year as part of our strategy to cater to the evolving challenges in the delivery of quality education in the region. We are pleased to receive a very enthusiastic response to the innovations that we have implemented, particularly from academic institutions and other key stakeholders of the education sector. The strong participation indicates that GETEX Dubai remains a key component in the marketing and development initiatives of academic institutions and education services providers in the region."

GETEX HRD & Training 2009 is the only dedicated event in the Middle East for training and HRD service providers to discuss business prospects with potential clients from a broad spectrum of sectors. Integrated within the segment is the 2009 Forum on HRD & Training for the Global Economy, an intensive conference program that gathers HRD specialists, HR directors, CEOs, heads of training and other regional and international HR professionals to discuss emerging HRD strategies in the 21st century.

The Education Equipment & Technology segment serves as an ideal business-to-business platform for suppliers and educational buyers to network and source education technology, supplies, expertise and services. The segment will again feature the 2009 Global Forum on Technology and Innovation in Teaching and Leading, a knowledge-packed conference program that provides insight into education practice and policy for world-class education in an increasingly digital and global learning landscape.

The Student Recruitment segment is recognised as the region’s largest event that offers higher education options from around the world to students in the Middle East and beyond. One of the first student recruitment platforms for international and regional universities in the region, the Student Recruitment segment will provide students more than 2,500 higher education options being offered by over 400 exhibitors from 40 countries.

GETEX is a platform for education-oriented companies and institutions to present their academic and career-enhancing training programmes, education technologies, scholarships and consultancy services for students, parents, educators, professionals, corporate representatives and others who have a stake in the education sector.

GETEX Dubai 2009 show timings: April 15th and 16th – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; April 17th and 18th – 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.