Annual Congress 2012 provides interactive discussion platform characterized by diversity, richness, inclusiveness

Intellectuals, researchers, experts and specialists from around the world discussed key issues on e-learning, health and quality management during the series of parallel conferences held on the sidelines of the Annual Congress 2012, which was organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World. The conferences also hosted interactive workshops that focused on a range of topics that affect leadership development and specialized public health research. 

The workshop entitled “Leadership in 21st Century” was held on the sidelines of the 6th Quality Conference in the Middle East. The workshop, which was delivered by Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMeU, was attended by a number of key officials, professionals and experts in strategic planning in the public education and higher education sectors in the Arab world, as well as senior professionals in leadership development, human resource managers and other representatives from the public and private sectors. The workshop focused on a range of important topics such as leadership values, skills of senior leadership, leadership capacity in the era of knowledge, as well as the measure of excellence in leadership development. 

The 5th Conference on eLearning Excellence in the Middle East hosted a workshop entitled “Using technology actively to effectively enhance learning in the classroom”. The workshop was conducted by Professor Carmel McNaught, who discussed various strategies to achieve optimal use of technology, such as the effective use of resources on the internet for academic discussions, transforming classroom presentations into effective learning experiences, and the use of mobile technology in the classroom. 

Health sciences research was the major focus of the “Health Sciences Research Studies: Practical aspects” workshop, which was held on the sidelines of the 4th e-Health and Environment Conference in the Middle East. The workshop, which was presented by Dr. Abdelmonem A. Afifi, Professor of Biostatistics and Dean Emeritus, UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, was attended by researchers and graduate learners who discussed examples and actual research on all aspects of public health. The workshop helped generate greater contributions from learners in the study of methodologies that would help in future research activities related to health sciences. 

Commenting on the workshops, Dr. Al Awar said: “The Annual Congress continues to strengthen its role as a leading interactive platform characterized by diversity, richness and inclusiveness, with a series of workshops, roundtable meetings and conferences that focused on key issues related to quality, education and health. The “Leadership in 21st Century” workshop was an important milestone, especially with the participation of several senior strategic planning professionals in the public education and higher education sectors and those concerned with leadership and professional development from the public and private sectors in the region. The workshop witnessed extensive discussions about the value of leadership, leadership excellence and ways to develop and produce leaders capable of keeping pace with developments and changes in this age of knowledge. The other workshops, which focused on health sciences research and media work, also achieved great success and broad participation, underlining the pioneering role of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University in encouraging scientific research and spreading the culture of excellence and quality across the Arab world.” 

HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.