Abu Dhabi, 8 June, 2009 (WAM) - Abu Dhabi Education Council and The Administrative Assistants Ltd. (aal) today signed an agreement to roll out a new enterprise student information system (e-SIS) to address the changing requirements in education techniques and tools.

The system will enable all Abu Dhabi public schools to efficiently manage student-related data, and to better cater for students needs throughout their years of study and after their graduation. The signing ceremony, held at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, was attended by HE Mr. Humaid Al Qatami, Minister of Education, and HE. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, who signed the agreement with aal limited. Mr. Rashed bin Lahej Al Mansouri, Director General of Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Center "ADSIC" and Ms. Sara Hradecky, the Canadian Ambassador to UAE were also present.

Under the agreement signed, aal will implement eSIS, which will be used to manage the entire student lifecycle and address regulatory compliance and reporting requirements while driving operational efficiency. aal will also provide public schools in Abu Dhabi with change management services to ensure smooth and successful adoption of the system by users and integration with the schools existing IT application systems and infrastructure.

Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili said "Todays students are more global and mobile in nature. The new system will allow them to access school services anytime, anywhere and at their own pace, thus enhancing services as well as their learning experience,". "In addition, the system will help us develop a strong link between the schools, students and alumni. ADEC and aal will work in close collaboration to develop this brand new system," Dr. Al Khaili added.

Although eSIS will require users to adapt to newer technology the application will provide the schools more flexibility to integrate historical data and greater capacity to accommodate a growing student population. With its user-friendly screens, eSIS will offer other advantages, including robust reporting and analysis tools, as well as creating a paperless environment.

"By focusing exclusively on the education market, we can help our clients with a customized solution designed around their special requirements," said Brian Currie, President and CEO of aal.

"eSIS will enable ADEC to focus its resources on better serving the needs of the public schools, teachers, parents and students in their zones," he adds.

"ADEC takes a holistic and long-term approach to supporting education and is working closely with Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC), educators, school administrators, parents and students across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi under the umbrella of the MOE to develop IT solutions that will increase access to quality education and improve learning outcomes. This ethos is highlighted through the various programs and initiatives that the council runs in the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region (Al Gharbieh) educational zones to support education, including the innovative ERP Project, the GIS Project, and the Live@edu Program in partnership with Microsoft", says Walid Nsouli, eSIS Project Manager.

"ADECs goal of this focus on education is to inspire innovation in the classroom, with technology as the driver for best practice sharing and new and creative ways of engaging with students," he continues.

eSIS will be launched in phases, with Al Ain and the Western Region (Al Gharbieh) set to "go live" in December 2009, and Abu Dhabi zone in March 2010. eSIS will allow users to manage student admission and registration, course selection and enrollment, assessment and examination records, student financial and alumni records, and to provide teachers, students and parents with self-service capabilities to meet the schools growing requirements.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.