The Building Future Learning Spaces conference to highlight best practice in designing spaces to meet learner and parent expectations
Dubai has one of the
fastest population growth rates in the region and internationally, with
population expected to reach 3.48 million by 2020, up from 2.21 million
in 2013. The student population is expected to rise by over 100 000 from
2013, to stand at 360 000 by 2020 creating a need for exceptional
education facilities (Colliers).
The Building Future Learning Spaces conference taking place from 23 – 25 March 2015 at Dusit Thani, Dubai
will be a meeting place for leading education providers, investors and
regulators as they discuss strategies on meeting the growing demand in
quality educational facilities. Effective project management,
educational design considerations, building to meet growing learner
demands and designing with sustainability in mind will be on the
spotlight.
Speaking ahead of his participation at Building Future Learning Spaces,
Dr Farooq Wasil, CEO, Goldline Education, stated that the population
growth “definitely points towards a demand for private schools offering
international curricula.” Dr Wasil went on to say that the design of new
education facilities will have to incorporate “open, flexible floor
plans, modular furniture and highly mobile learning tools such as
electronic chalkboards, portable computers, expandable networking, and
interactive video”. This will firstly create multipurpose areas that can
accommodate larger student numbers as the student population grows, and
will secondly facilitate new learning methods.
Dr. Cindy Gunn,
Professor and Director, Faculty Development Centre, American University
of Sharjah, agreed that the designing of education facilities will have
to change from traditional rigid designs to meet the needs of
21stcentury learners. She mentioned that “the future of learning is
moving towards facilitated independent learning. Universities can
prepare themselves for this by providing more active learning spaces and
independent learning spaces for their students. Faculty members will
also need to be provided with training on how to teach in the active
learning spaces and how to prepare students to become more autonomous,
independent learners.” Schools and universities will have to be designed
to meet the needs of student centred learning.
Join Dr Farooq Wasil
and Dr Cindy Gunn at Building Future Learning Space, as they discuss
global best practice in designing exceptional learning spaces for
current and future students. The event will also feature presentations
from industry leading organisations consisting of Abu Dhabi Education
Council, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Dubai
International Academic City, Goldline Education, Consilium Education,
Fielding Nair International, The Arabian Education and Training Group,
AURA Academic Institutions, Institute of Management Technology, Brighton
College International Schools, Blossom Nursery/Blossom Early Learning
Centre, Global Schools Foundation, American University in Sharjah,
International Horizons College, Ajman Academy, Jeddah Knowledge
International School, Emirates Green Building Council, Al Masah Capital
and many more….
Building Future learning Spaces is supported by Nora, Timotay Group and Almoe Digital Solutions.
Building Future Learning Spaces
is the region’s leading event focusing on the design, build and
maintenance of outstanding education facilities for kindergarten,
schools, colleges and universities in MENA. As student demand
increases, governments and private groups need to invest significantly
into their infrastructure to attract new students, create world-class
facilities, and remain competitive in the fast-growing MENA education
market. For more information, visit www.buildingschoolsmena.com
