Events
New Tech Products Launched at GESS 2019
To ensure that the graduates from the UAE remain future-proofed against the rapidly changing demands of the modern workforce, global technology companies have come up with new products that will boost learning process at the educational institutions in the Gulf country.
More than 500 local and international companies exhibiting at the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) being held from February 26th –28th have introduced hundreds of the new products that aim to make learning more efficient and empower both teachers and students.
Here are some of the key products launched by the leading companies on the first day of GESS 2019 — one of the largest education expos in the world that is expected to see over 15,000 of education professionals from 92 countries at the three-day event.
Immersive VR Education unveils ENGAGE Platform
Irish virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) software firm Immersive VR Education (IVRE), showcased its latest offering to the virtual reality education market when it exhibited its ENGAGE Platform at the GESS Dubai Education Expo. ENGAGE is an online virtual social learning and presentation platform. It is a powerful virtual reality collaboration and creation tool, allowing educators and corporate trainers to host meetings, classes, private tutorials, training sessions and presentations with people from all over the world, participating in a safe, virtual, multi-user environment.
“ENGAGE is at the cutting edge of this technology’s usage in the education sector. It is uniquely placed to do two things. Firstly, help educators visualise how technology can positively impact their profession and their ability to influence students’ participation and performance and secondly, become synonymous with education and training technology, in the ‘learning space’ which can be applied anywhere – whether it is in an interactive museum, a second level school, a university, or a corporate training setting,” said VR Education CEO and Co-founder David Whelan.
Pi-Top
At the GESS 2019, Pi-Top launched a new modular computer in the form of the pi-top [4] which is powered by the awesome Raspberry Pi mini PC and has been designed to easily connect to other PCs such as Windows, Macs, Chromebook’s and more. It also works out of the box with your existing screens, keyboards and mice, as well as the companies’ new wireless keyboard and HD touch screen.
Duncan Kemp, International Business Development Manager for EMEA/APAC at Pi-Top, said the company launched this new model earlier this year in London and here is the Middle East launch at GESS 2019. Kemp mentioned that more than 2,000 schools are using this product in over 80 countries. Edutech Middle East represents Pi-Top in the region. Its director Faisal Karim said several private schools use Pi-Top in the UAE.
Alef Education
Alef Education, an education technology company based in the UAE, is also one of the key exhibitors at GESS. The company launched an Alef Parents/Guardians App at the show. Its benefits include parents get immediate and relevant feedback to support their child’s learning journey such as their child’s learning gaps which allows them to provide appropriate support to aid their learning and also parents receive immediate feedback from teachers. Alef Education also introduced ‘100 initiatives’ at GESS 2019. It says be among the first 100 schools to sign up and with Alef Education and enjoy pioneer benefits. Top four benefits are ongoing onsite training, experiential learning, IT and digital transformation support and blend with Alef Certification.
LEGO Education / Atlab
Lego Education on the first day of GESS 2019 launched a couple of new things including ‘Coding Express’ for primary education. This intuitive solution brings students all aboard to learn the basic language of the digital age in a creative way. Coding Express combines digital and physical elements like action bricks and switches to introduce early learning students to coding concepts like sequencing, looping, and conditional coding. Nilesh Korgaonkar, CEO of Atlab, said, that students will learn collaboration, language, critical thinking skills, and more as they explore and create play scenarios using a classic train set.” The company is also showcasing KUBO – a screen-free coding, as easy as solving a puzzle, for students aged 4-10 years.
Learn&Go goes international
Learn&Go, the French start-up that created a world-leading digital writing application using a tablet and stylus, has announced that it will launch an international version of Kaligo in English in March. This will be followed by the launch of exercises exclusively designed for children with dyslexia in September 2019. The pre-launch of Kaligo in English-speaking countries has been positively received, with the nomination of Kaligo as a finalist for the BETT Awards 2019 (British Educational Training and Technology).
Sennheiser empowers hearing-impaired students
Sennheiser, while engaging with regional universities at GESS Dubai 2019 — demonstrated its WiFi-based MobileConnect system for accessible hearing in classrooms. “We have a clear objective of being the preferred choice of audio brand for Universities worldwide. Our systems are designed to save time, costs and trouble by offering integrated, scalable solutions that are easy to operate and maintain, letting lecturers focus on imparting knowledge while we handle the rest,” said Mig Cardamone, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sennheiser Middle East.
Texthelp showcases classroom innovations
Texthelp — a world leader in literacy, language learning and now STEM software — presented the latest additions to its award-winning family of assistive tech solutions for schools and colleges at GESS Dubai 2019. The company’s Read&Write is one of the world’s most popular literacy and learning support solutions with over 18 million users across 182 countries. And thanks to the recent additions of an Arabic version, Check It, Data Desk and Exam Mode, Read&Write now provides even more supports to students and teachers alike.
Robotix unveils Robobricks for children
Robotix announced the global launch of Robobricks for kids ages 4 and above, at the GESS Dubai 2019. Robobricks is a screen-free interactive robotic construction toy bringing moments of magic to a child’s playtime. Kids ages 4+, can build & code, bringing robots to life with motors, CPU, Sensors, Wand, coding chips, Audio Sound block, LED Light block using Origami & paper craft and with Duplo (Morphun) Lego bricks. Robotix is also the creator of Phiro educational Robots for children ages 4 to 18. Phiro was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter and was recognized by Intel USA as one of “America’s Greatest Makers”.
BenQ’s Future-Proof ClassroomCare & DustGuard Pro Technology
BenQ, the global leader in innovation, technology and display solution featured its latest cloud-based collaboration and Interactive solutions for classroom learning at GESS 2019. The educational professionals and visitors witnessed a healthy learning journey with BenQ’s Future-Proof and ClassroomTM Technology that includes Premium Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs) and BlueCoreTM Dustproof Laser Projectors empowering innovation, integration and intelligence that enables the students to lead the world in the Digital Era by learning in a safer and healthier environment.
Cool Stuff
Animenia Abu Dhabi Festival to Open Doors on 23rd October 2024
Anime enthusiasts, get ready for a five-day immersive experience! The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and BRAG are bringing the inaugural Animenia Abu Dhabi festival to Manarat Al Saadiyat from October 23rd to 27th, 2024. This event promises to be a haven for anime and video game fans, offering a unique blend of entertainment, interactive experiences, and celebrity appearances.
Animenia will feature a diverse range of activities, including:
- Cosplay Extravaganza: Witness the world’s top cosplayers compete for a massive prize pool of over AED 400,000.
- Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: Interact with renowned anime directors, voice actors, manga artists, and video game creators.
- Live Performances: Enjoy a lineup of J-Pop concerts, anime-inspired shows, and captivating performances.
- Interactive Exhibits: Immerse yourself in themed exhibits showcasing iconic scenes and characters from popular anime.
- Gaming and Workshops: Explore a dedicated gaming hub featuring VR zones, Esports, arcade games, and engaging workshops.
The festival will host a stellar lineup of guests, including:
- Legendary Anime Figures: Renowned figures like Yoko Takahashi (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Ryo Horikawa (Dragon Ball, Super Smash Bros), Naoto Ohshima (Sonic the Hedgehog), and more.
- Cosplay Icons: World-class cosplayers from Thailand, Indonesia, France, Latvia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia will be present.
Tickets for Animenia Abu Dhabi are now available with pricing starting at AED 65 for a single weekday pass.
Events
GAMERGY is Coming to the MENA Region
GAMERGY is extending its presence to the MENA region. After exciting editions in Europe and Latin America, the festival arrives in Egypt. For three days (January 30 to February 1) it will become the global meeting point for esports fans and international players competing for the best prizes. For this new edition of GAMERGY, MENATech, a company of the GGTech Entertainment group, will have the collaboration and support of ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, leaders in event management, communication and experience creation.
The venue chosen for the celebration of this new edition of GAMERGY is Al Burouj, developed by IMKAN Misr in Cairo. Attendees will have access to a wide range of games for PC, mobile and consoles, with exciting tournaments, live performances by top artists, meet & greets with influencers and the best esports teams in the region. GAMERGY is a pioneering event designed for video game enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The next edition in Egypt will create an immersive environment where the physical and virtual worlds will merge, allowing participants to connect and engage in unforgettable experiences.
GAMERGY has organized more than 20 successful editions in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, consolidating its status as a dominant force in the e-sports, leisure and entertainment scene for the whole family. Mario Perez, CEO de MENATech, expressed his enthusiasm, “We are very excited about the first edition of GAMERGY in the MENA region, and it is a privilege that it is being held in Cairo. Following the expansion of GAMERGY over the past three years, with successful events in Spain, Mexico, Panama, Miami, Argentina and beyond, this marks an important milestone for us. Egypt’s gaming community is truly impressive and we are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with them and deliver an unforgettable experience to gamers of all ages. With the support of our partner in the Middle East, eProjects LLC, we are confident that GAMERGY Egypt will be a standout event on the GAMERGY International Tour.”
Sherif ElBassiouny, CEO of eProjects LLC, commented on the unique coalition, saying, “Hosting this groundbreaking eGaming event in Egypt is a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the digital and entertainment sectors. We are proud to bring together gamers and enthusiasts from across the MENA region, fostering innovation, competition, and community. This event not only highlights Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for eSports but also reflects our commitment to empowering the youth and embracing the future of digital entertainment. Together with our local partners, ievents and Influence Communications, we are paving the way for new opportunities in this thriving industry.”
GAMERGY combines entertainment and innovative technology, offering a unique experience where fun and creativity come together, as well as a disruptive experience for visitors and gamers alike. It will offer top-notch content on all aspects of the gaming world and showcase the latest technological advances in esports.
Events
Power League Gaming and HUAWEI AppGallery Team Up for AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament
Power League Gaming has announced its latest account win with HUAWEI AppGallery taking on the role of event and production management partner for the AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament in Egypt. Held on September 6th at the Westin Cairo Golf Resort and co-sponsored by the Egypt Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Egyptian Esports Federation (EEF), the tournament was a joint initiative between AppGallery—HUAWEI’s official app distribution platform—and Yalla Ludo, the region’s leading mobile board game app. Featuring fierce competition among 32 players and a total prize pool of $20,000 awarded to the top winners, the event aimed to enhance Yalla Ludo’s presence within HUAWEI AppGallery’s expanding app ecosystem.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Power League Gaming’s long-standing partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, reflecting its commitment to promoting the AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC). Power League Gaming was exclusively chosen for this project over competitors from Egypt and the UAE, highlighting the agency’s unmatched expertise in the region and its ability to deliver world-class event management solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gaming industry.
Celebrating the renewed collaboration, Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, said: “We’re thrilled to join forces with HUAWEI AppGallery once again for the AGC x Yalla Ludo tournament. This partnership is more than just an event; it’s a chance for us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming in the MENA region. At Power League Gaming, we’re committed to crafting an unforgettable experience that not only engages participants and viewers but also sets a new standard for event excellence. The tournament turned out a resounding success, enhancing HUAWEI AppGallery’s brand presence and deepening our connection with the gaming community.”
As the chosen event and production management partner, Power League Gaming delivered a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless and engaging tournament experience. These services included venue build and design, 3D renders and mock-ups, complete venue audio-visual setup (AV)-LED screens, technical support, complete branding production, all creative design elements and a full broadcast and esports solution, including broadcast asset designs and implementation. Power League Gaming also managed staffing and technical expertise to deliver a flawless event.
The AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament not only celebrates the collaboration between these two dynamic brands but also highlights the growing influence of mobile gaming in the region. With the MENA region’s gaming market value expected to reach $10 billion by 2027*, fueled by the growing number of gamers and the rising popularity of mobile games, the tournament was perfectly positioned to capture the vibrancy of the region’s gaming scene.
Through this partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, Power League Gaming has delivered a premier gaming event, captivating audiences and further establishing its presence in the competitive gaming market. For more information about Power League Gaming, visit powerleaguegaming.com.