The e-learning market in the Middle East is set to see revenues rising to $560.7 million by 2016, said an industry expert, adding that the sector is prompting global education suppliers to raise their stakes in the region.

“Education decision makers are now faced with offers from different companies offering a variety of products and solutions that will help meet this demand for self-paced e-learning,” said Matt Thompson, project director, F&E Group, organisers of the GESS Education Awards, scheduled to take place at GESS Dubai 2015.

“With the GESS Education Awards, we hope to recognise the suppliers that are making a mark in the self-paced e-learning market and other critical aspects of spectrum of delivering quality education throughout the region.”

Referencing a research conducted by Docebo entitled E-Learning Market Trends & Forecast 2014 - 2016 Report, Thompson said that the Middle East market for self-paced e-learning is poised to grow at an annual rate of 8.2 per cent until 2016, outpacing the yearly growth average seen for the global market at 7.6 per cent.

“The strong desire to digitise the delivery of the education experience is driving this growth, with governments playing a major role in boosting investments,” he added.

Thompson said that the GESS Education Awards can help education decision makers benchmark the quality of local and international suppliers, while at the same time honour the contributions of theses education suppliers in raising the quality of education throughout the region through advanced, digital tools.

The GESS Education Awards recognises corporate, organisational and individual success stories in the field of education in the hopes of raising the quality of educational services and product standards throughout the industry.

The awards are broken down into two sections - those for suppliers and/or distributors as well as those for teachers, schools and educational professionals.

“The awards will highlight and reward the quality and diversity of educational products, resources, services and people as well as the best educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession,” Thompson added.
The awards are now open for entries, with submissions accepted online at gessawards.com.

For education suppliers and/or distributors, awards will be handed out in the following categories - Resource/Equipment Supplier of the Year (Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Special Needs); Best ICT/App Product (Free or Paid); Best Non-ICT Resource of Equipment; Best Product to Promote Health and Fitness in the Classroom; Local Education Supplier of the Year; Global Education Supplier of the Year; and Production Innovation Award.

Meanwhile, outstanding contributions and performance by teachers, schools and education professionals will be recognised in the following categories – Lifetime Achievement Award, Best use of ICT/eLearning in the Classroom, Community Award for Citizenship, Innovation in Education, and Outstanding Contribution in Education.

The GESS Education Awards are handed out concurrently with the eThraa awards, organised by the Arab eLearning Network, where outstanding education initiatives in the following categories - Exemplary Online Lesson: Design of an online lesson/class of a particular topic; Interactive Educational Game: design an online educational game in a particular discipline; and Interactive Social Media in Learning will also be recognised.

The deadline for submission of entries is on November 27. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on February 15, 2015. – TradeArabia News Service