Academic institutions across the Middle East are turning to technology to advance their educational missions and goals. Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) a leading provider of enterprise software and related services to the education industry announced today that more than thirty leading institutions spanning eight countries in the Middle East, license Blackboard(r) technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Institutions using Blackboard technology, among many others in the
region, include:
* The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
* American University in Cairo
* Hashmite University
* King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals
* Kuwait University
* United Arab Emirates University
* University of Bahrain
HCT, a 14-campus system spanning the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently
upgraded to the Blackboard Learning System(tm) - Vista Enterprise
License. Goals of the upgrade include integrating the campuses through
technology, better sharing and distribution of knowledge resources and
enhancing learning opportunities for the more than 18,000 students and
faculty at the institution.
Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Tayeb Kamali
says technology is enabling significant progress across campuses and the
region as a whole.
"The Middle East is in the midst of an important transformation,
expanding its investment into new educational resources, such as
Blackboard technology to support the latest delivery methodologies for
Education," said Dr. Kamali. "HCT is proud to be the first institution
in the Middle East to implement the Blackboard Learning System - Vista
Enterprise License, enabling our campuses to continue in their leading
roles as cutting edge providers of technology rich education and
e-Learning."
Blackboard President and CEO Michael Chasen recently visited the HCT
campus while attending the 2007 Education Without Borders Conference,
where he delivered a keynote address on the challenges and opportunities
related to e-Learning.
"The U.A.E. is making tremendous strides in its use of technology to
enhance education," said Chasen. "We are excited about working with HCT
and the many other institutions we partner with in the region to take
teaching and learning to new levels in the Middle East."
As part of Blackboard's expanding international business, Blackboard is
committed to supporting growth in the Middle East. Blackboard channel
partners have played a critical role in expanding Blackboard's presence
through successfully selling, servicing and supporting our educational
technologies across the region. Our partners in the region include
Integrated Solutions for Business (ISB), Edutech Middle East, and
General Computers and Electronics Co. (in Jordan). They all have long
standing and successful relationships with Blackboard and currently
service over 38 institutions for Blackboard.
About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise
software applications and related services to the education industry.
Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere
by connecting people and technology. Millions of people use Blackboard
everyday at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges,
universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as
textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education
providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in
Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Australia and
Asia.
