MIT LINC 2007 E-Learning Conference a Success in Jordan and Dubai

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Amman, Jordan: With the belief that Education may be the ultimate high-impact beneficiary of the Internet, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently completed its first LINC international conference away from its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

LINC is MIT's Learning International Networks Consortium, a community of educational and technology leaders focused on helping emerging areas of the world leverage ICT to deliver quality education to under-served communities. Technology-enabled learning and e-learning were featured. E-Learning uses the Internet and satellites to deliver education to distant locations. Technology-enabled education includes e-learning and much more, as new computer-based technologies can dramatically transform the learning environments available to our students. If used creatively, technology can improve learning for students in ways previously unimagined.

The LINC 2007 Conference was bi-located in Jordan (on the Dead Sea) and in the U.A.E. (Dubai). Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, esteemed Patron of LINC-Jordan, participated in the Opening Ceremonies in Jordan. Over 500 participants from over 40 different countries attended these Opening Ceremonies. On October 31^st 2007, the LINC 2007 conference moved to Dubai for an Executive Session, attended by the Patron of Dubai LINC, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.

H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Moubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research gave the Opening Address in Dubai. Whereby he said, "The MIT LINC project represents a simple idea: using distance and e-learning to help countries increase access to a quality university education. To make this simple idea a reality takes technology for delivery, good content for courses, and effective pedagogy for instruction. But more than that, it takes imagination, cooperation, and hard work."

In attendance in Jordan were over 150 Jordanian professors and approximately 100 Jordanian high school teachers of math and science, the teachers' participation sponsored by MIT. Internationally-known speakers presented state-of-the-art use of technology to deliver compelling learning environments to school children, university students and life-long learners, with major case studies from Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Kenya, Egypt, Botswana, Algeria, the U.A.E. and the USA. Best practices were shared and new collaborations were established.

The 18 keynote speakers represented a world-class assemblage of experts in e-learning. Dr. Robert B. Kozma, esteemed international consultant for technology in service of developing countries said, "Technology can be a powerful lever for economic and social development when it is coordinated with other educational changes in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and teacher training."

Dr. Milad Sebaaly, respected and well-known leader in e-learning in the Middle East and former CEO of LINC's primary sponsor, Universal Knowledge SolutionsUniversal Knowledge Solutions, said, "LINC 2007 more than fulfilled our expectations. The turnout of over 500 registrants in LINC Jordan and the distinguished leadership who participated in the LINC Dubai Executive Session demonstrated the hunger within the region for quality e-learning and, more broadly, for technology-enabled learning environments for our young people. I can feel the momentum building."

Martin Dougiamas, founder of the famous Open-Source course management system called Moodle, from his end said, "I met a lot of serious educators doing interesting and meaningful work across the globe. Some of these stimulating conversations are already leading to further collaboration beyond the conference."

Patricio López del Puerto, President of Mexico's path-breaking Tecnologico de Monterrey ("Monterrey Tech"), stated, "The question is not if technology mediated education (or distance education) is better or less expensive than other forms of education. For many of the people in our countries it is the ONLY form of education that makes the question irrelevant."

Also from Mexico, Raul Medina-Mora , whose 'Enciclomedia' has revolutionized all public schools in grades 5 and 6, stated, "As a community of educators, researchers, and technologists, MIT LINC 2007 showed us the glimpse of what is possible in the near future: an ambitious goal to bring learning opportunities to everyone through the smart use of technology." He added

From Lebanon, Fr. Walid Moussa , President of Notre Dame University, in his LINC Dubai presentation stated, "Technology should revive our longstanding heritage of innovation and transformation in education and renovate it to become a benchmark for positive change. At this historic juncture of time, it is imperative to make use of ICT in our endeavor to guide our students into becoming competent and original contributors to knowledge rather than being consumers of knowledge in this ever changing and challenging global information and technology era."

Finally, from Dr. Nabil Sabry , Director of French University Center for R&D and International Cooperation in Egypt, asserted, "...for contents, technology allows a formidable opportunity for collaborative development across borders that we should not miss. Other structural reform issues have to be solved at the national level. This conference is a major vector for increasing awareness in the region about these issues."

LINC 2007 benefited from the generous support of many sponsors, including Universal Knowledge SolutionsUniversal Knowledge Solutions (Dubai and Kuwait), Alpha-Creative (Amman), AMSI - Academia Management Solutions International (Dubai), the Municipality of Amman, Pfizer Corporation, the Sloan Foundation (New York), Orange (Jordan), Intel, Information Technology Association of Jordan, Jordan Economic & Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans, Philadelphia Tourist Transport Co., the University of Jordan - academic host for LINC in the region, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) of the Government of Dubai, and MIT.

As a result of the exceptionally enthusiastic reception in the region to LINC 2007, MIT Professor Richard C. Larson, founder and director of LINC and long-time member of the USA's National Academy of Engineering, announced that a LINC Action Task Force of committed professionals is being assembled. The Task Force comprising LINC participants from the Greater Middle East as well as MIT faculty members will examine next steps leading to further collaboration and possible joint research projects in technology-enabled education between MIT and universities in the region. Up-to-date news on these developments will be available on the MIT LINC web site, http://linc.mit.edu. and the event was organized by Hermes Arabia for Events Management.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Farah Ibrahim ,TRACCS
Public Relations for the Middle East and North Africa
Tel: 04-3672530
Email: farah.ibrahim@traccs.net

© Press Release 2007