Dalia Younis, of Onaysa Bint Khubibe Joint School for Girls, is only Teacher from Kuwait to become Expert Educator

Kuwait, 04 May 2014

Microsoft Kuwait has announced that Dalia Younis, an English teacher from Onaysa Bint Khubibe Joint School for Girls, is one of the 'Expert Educator' from Kuwait who attended the Global Forum in Barcelona, Spain. Mrs Younis was given the platform to share her skills as one of Microsoft's 1,100 Expert Educators, who learnt from each other and discussed ways to transform education.

Dalia was selected from over 23,000 educators as her teaching activity encompasses learning and comprehension of serious environmental issues, the use of English to mobilise the community on environmental issues, and the use of various ICT tools to collect, create, and present ideas individually or as a team. Her teaching brings students the opportunity to learn 21st century skills such as collaboration, skilled communication, knowledge-building, critical-thinking, use of ICT, problem-solving and innovation, and instilling self-regulation among students.

At the Global Forum, Dalia and the other Microsoft Expert Educators competed for one of 19 Global Forum Educator Awards. The Educators Track is designed to bring the most innovative educators in the world a forum for professional development, collaboration, and some friendly competition. The event provided insight into the changing role and needs of educators in the classroom through intensive professional development.

The Expert Educators learned about current research and developments in the field for the 21st century, and also learned about tools, products, and approaches for innovative classrooms and engaging lesson design that can enhance learning & retention. In addition, educators had an opportunity to exchange best practices with their peers and build a global network of change-makers in learning.

"Microsoft Expert Educators are inspiring examples of how individuals and schools are using technology to prepare their students for the 21st Century," said Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education, Microsoft Corp. "I would like to congratulate Dalia Younis who made it this far - she is the gold standard for innovative teaching practises and effective use of technology in teaching and learning. We at Microsoft proudly support her on that path to innovation. She has set an outstanding example for her peers."

"I am absolutely thrilled to have been selected as one of Microsoft's Expert Educators!" said Dalia Younis. "I look forward to making the most of this learning opportunity, as well as continuing the engagement with like-minded educators I interacted with at the Microsoft in Education Global Forum."

This year, Educators were selected through Microsoft's Innovative Educator Program and Innovative Schools Program (applications through www.pil-network.com). Microsoft Expert Educator is an exclusive one-year program created to recognise pioneering educators globally who are using technology to transform education. Expert Educators have access to technology and professional development, and an all-expense paid trip to the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

Microsoft in Education Global Forum is a professional event attended by some of the most innovative educators and school leaders from over 75 countries around the world. The event propels the conversation around 21st Century learning to new levels by bringing together education leaders, including teachers, school leaders, and policy makers, to examine, share and learn best-practices for transforming education in their communities.  The Global Forum is the flagship event for Microsoft Partners in Learning and it provides an opportunity for educators and school leaders to collaborate and enable students to realise their full potential. It celebrates the world's most innovative educators and school leaders for bringing technology to the classroom and impacting millions of students.

The Microsoft forum is for self-driven educators who are passionate about their careers, inspiring students with innovative thinking and a true collaborative spirit. Resourceful and entrepreneurial, they relish the role of change agent, and work to achieve excellence in education using advanced technologies and social media.

Microsoft strives to help reach, motivate, and ensure the success of every student and educator with education-specific tools, technologies, and programmes that can help them achieve their greatest potential.

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Nadin Al Alami / Stacy Lobo
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
Tel: 00965 22901571/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5  
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Email: nadin.alami@bm.com / stacy.lobo@bm.com

© Press Release 2014