Leading education achievers, innovators and suppliers from around the world have been shortlisted for the annual GESS Education Awards. Now on its second year, the GESS Education Awards attracted a higher number of entrants in 2015, up by 10 percent compared to its inaugural edition last year. Significantly, the awards has attracted nominees not just from the GCC, but also from Egypt, Cyprus, United States, UK, Hong Kong, Spain, India, Greece, Denmark, Germany, Tunisia, Netherlands, France, Canada, and Australia, underscoring the global reach of the Dubai-based awards program.
“The awards are meant to celebrate innovations and excellence in the delivery of quality education and so we are delighted to have received a significantly higher number of entrants this year. This can only mean the awards program helping set the standards for excellence and quality in the education sector in the region. The interest from international stakeholders is also overwhelming, and highlights the growing importance of the education market here for global stakeholders,” Matt Thompson, Project Director, F&E Group, organizers of the GESS Education Awards, scheduled to take place on the second day of GESS Dubai on Feb. 25, 2015.
Education luminaries who have contributed significantly to the advancement of teaching and learning in the region will be recognized with the Outstanding Contribution in Education award. The finalists who made the shortlist include Chassie Selouane (Sharjah International American School), Christine Nasserghodsi (Wellington International School), Esra Kaskaloglu (University of Bahrain/Bahrain Teachers College), Hamdy Abdelaziz (Arabian Gulf University), Luay Janem (Fatima College of Health Sciences) and Mark Wood (SPARK).
Finalists in the Global Education Supplier of the Year category include some of the biggest names in the education sector in the region, as well as internationally including LEGO Education, NetSupport Ltd, Digipro Ltd, Languagenut, ITWORX Education, Almotahida Education Group, EducationCity, IPC Middle East, 3P Learning and ITS International Training & Support GmbH. Meanwhile, the Local Education Supplier of the Year category has shortlisted some of the leading education companies in the Arab world, such as Software Innovative Vision LLC, ABCOM SOLUTIONS LLC, Almoe Digital Solutions LLC, Edutech STEM+ Studio, Biztec Solutions LLC, and Atlab.
Classroom learning and teaching in the GCC have made significant strides in the last few years, thanks to innovative practices introduced and adopted by the following companies who have made it to the shortlist of the Innovation in Education category, including Ahmad Sabatin, Learning Design, Consultant and Trainor (TOT) in Invention & innovation, STEAM; Asmaa Al-Mohaely, Supervision Office of Mohayl Aseer; Bijal Damani, S N Kansagra School - The Galaxy Education System; Catalina Marin, Secondary Technical School for Girls; Charbel Najjar, International Concept for Education; Dr. Vandana Lulla, Podar International School; Essam Mahmoud, M.A.T.E.S Training Association; Ivan Kuzio, Teacher Trainer College (TTC); Kawthar Bejaoui, Ali Trad Middle School; and Mark Wood, SPARK.
Other categories being contested include Product Innovation Award, Best use of ICT/eLearning in the Classroom, Resource/Equipment Supplier of the Year (Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education and Special Needs); as well as Best ICT/App Product (Free and Paid), Best Non-ICT Resource or Equipment, Best Product to Promote Health and Fitness in the Classroom, Community Award for Citizenship, and Ambassador for the Environment. — SG
