GESS Dubai 2024: A Transformative Journey in Education Innovation

The 17th edition of GESS Dubai, held from November 12 to 14, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, solidified its reputation as the Middle East’s premier educational exhibition and conference. Hosted by Informa Connect, this event gathered over 300 brands, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders from 30+ countries, presenting cutting-edge innovations in educational technology, wellbeing, and sustainability.

Day 1 Highlights

The event was officially opened by His Excellency Butti Saeed Al Ghandi, setting the tone for a conference focused on addressing the challenges in the Middle East’s education sector. Key topics included:

• Digital Fluency and holistic student development, emphasizing leadership practices that promote inclusivity and well-being.

• Gamification in education, showcasing its potential to revolutionize student engagement.

• Keynote addresses from figures like TikTok’s “Rapping Science Teacher” Matt Green, AI specialist Darren Coxon, and education reform advocate Gavin McCormack.

Workshops and sessions provided actionable insights into topics ranging from cultural inclusivity to the integration of VR and AI in classrooms​.

Day 2: Expanding Horizons

The second day highlighted global participation with international pavilions led by countries like China, the UK, and Germany. A new feature, Gaming@GESS, explored gamification and esports in education, attracting considerable interest. Attendees witnessed:

• HP Gaming Garage and Endless Studios demonstrating immersive game-based learning solutions.

• Innovations in fitness education, speed-reading technologies, and sustainability-focused tools.

• Government-backed projects, including initiatives from the Saudi Ministry of Education and ABEGS, affirming the region’s commitment to education transformation.

Exhibitor presentations underscored the increasing role of AI and AR in classrooms, predicting significant market growth in GCC EdTech​.

Day 3: Culmination and Celebration

The final day celebrated educational excellence through the GESS Awards, which recognized outstanding contributions by educators, schools, and innovators worldwide. Notable winners included:

• Kevin Stedman, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Gavin McCormack, honoured for his outstanding contributions.

• Organizations like HP Middle East for CSR excellence and startups like 8billionideas for innovation.

Significant collaborations emerged, such as HP’s partnership with Skyline University to enhance digital skills and Schoolvoice’s alliance with Klickit for advanced payment systems​.

Looking Ahead

GESS Dubai 2024 left an indelible mark on the education community, reinforcing its role as a hub for innovation and collaboration. Plans are already underway for the next event, scheduled for November 11-13, 2025. Additionally, the inaugural GESS Saudi Arabia will debut in May 2025, extending the platform’s impact regionally​.

GESS Dubai 2024 demonstrated how technology, collaboration, and progressive ideas can transform education, equipping educators to shape a brighter future for learners globally.

For more details, visit GESS Dubai’s website: www.gessdubai.com