DUBAI — More than a billion people, or about 15 percent of the world's population, live with some form of disability, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. And it added that children with disabilities are less likely to complete or even attend school than those without any impediments. These startling figures were discussed at a preparatory meeting held in Dubai for The International Exhibition and Forum for Education (IEFE) which will be take place in February 2014. The focus of this meeting is to highlight the investments being made by the Saudi government in education, discuss partnership opportunities for investors and the deployment of smart technologies in education for children with special needs . The IEFE 2014 will be held at Al-Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center and will showcase the major drive toward education improvements in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is the largest education market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and spends 5.6 percent of its GDP in education, which is higher than the world average of 4.4 percent and the North American average of 5.1 percent, according to Al-Masah Capital research report. The opening address at the meeting was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Dandany, General Manager of Educational Supplies and Teaching Technologies in the Saudi Ministry of Education, followed by Edward Abankwa, Program Director of IEFE 2014. Dr. Dandany highlighted the purpose of IEFE, educational achievements so far aided by the annual occurrence of the program, the reasons for a renewed focus on special needs education and other Ministry initiatives. Dr. Dandany said: “Education completion gaps are found across all age groups in all settings, as the difference in achievement between those needing special attention and those who do not is very high in the Arab countries. IEFE in its fourth edition has an aim of reducing this gap and make education accessible to all – and also aid this effort through the deployment of smart solutions.” Edward Abankwa also delivered a presentation on the actual IEFE program and highlighted the opportunities available for education suppliers across a wide product category ranges and encouraged participants to attend and exhibit their solutions at the event next year. There was also a Smart Technology in Education panel discussion featuring contributors from Microsoft, IDP and National Geographic. IEFE 2014 is open to local and international education suppliers and organizations, as well as universities and colleges which are looking to develop international education and training partnerships and programs. The previous edition of IEFE took place in February this year and provided a platform for local and international education sector organisations to meet and form business partnerships across various educational segments including, but not limited to IT, curriculum development, special needs, building and construction, quality and accreditation, leadership and training, sports and science equipment. Highlights of the program included more than 30 countries represented at the exhibition, 15,000 square meters of exhibition space occupied by local and international suppliers and service providers to the education sector and 50 keynote addresses by international industry experts. The number of visitors also increased 15 percent from the previous edition of IEFE. Attendees at the 2014 event will again include senior decision makers from Saudi Arabia and GCC state ministries, universities, colleges as well as public and private schools, senior representatives from international educational institutions, investors, educational agents, technology providers, research and developments agencies, corporations affiliated to education sector, training organizations and key service providers. Edward Abankwa said: “We will also showcase the latest technology and knowledge solutions from international and local suppliers of education equipment and infrastructure aimed at achieving excellence and innovation in public and private education in the region.” — SG
