GEMS Education joins 1776’s Global Open Innovation Network to develop EdTech initiatives across its schools

GEMS Education has signed an agreement with 1776 Dubai, the first international technology incubator to set up a direct presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, to develop and advance education technology (EdTech) innovation across its schools globally. 

The agreement enables GEMS to partner with 1776-curated startups, as well as public and private-sector organizations in key global cities to meet this goal. 1776 will provide GEMS Education with allocated and branded space for its staff and its connected startups at its new Dubai campus, alongside the Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) in Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The campus was inaugurated in October, following the MOU signing in April between 1776 and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), to provide custom services for the Foundation, its member entities and the DFA startups.

GEMS schools can now attend briefings and classes that will train their students to operate and think as a startup company. Utilising the best practice from 1776’s Open Innovation Network and its ‘Union’ digital platform launched at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley, GEMS will develop leading edge practice with EdTech startups and drive forward its own curriculum innovation in ensuring that 21^st century skills (C21st) skills are firmly embedded throughout the GEMS network. 

“We began our journey of gearing our students for the future and for 21st century learning a few years ago, inculcating innovation into every aspect of their academic and extra-curricular life,” said Dino Varkey, Managing Director and Board Member, GEMS Education. “Our agreement with 1776 Dubai is closely aligned with the Dubai Future Agenda and the entrepreneurial spirit in the city which is conducive to the creation of ideas, not only for our students but also for our employees.”

Commenting on the agreement, Evan Burfield, co-founder and co-CEO of 1776, said, “Our partnership with GEMS Education will provide the global education space with a real opportunity for new and exciting knowledge sharing, development and innovation. Having engaged and trained more than 3,000 startups, institutions, and influencers around the world to help solve the great challenges facing society, 1776 is pleased to offer tools, resources, and networks and help GEMS create cutting-edge EdTech solutions that are aligned with tomorrow’s economy.” 

Another benefit of the agreement provides GEMS students who are part of the Arab Innovation Centre for Education (AICE) Accelerator programme with the opportunity to receive a three-month immersive experience at one of the 1776 USA campuses in San Francisco, New York, or Washington, D.C. 

GEMS is leading the way in educational innovation and has developed a number of significant business and higher education partnerships to ensure that GEMS students and teachers are exposed to the latest technologies, approaches to learning, and valid research.