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Panels

There are four proposed panels during the conference. Please check back here for the final selection.

1. Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility in Education in the Arab World
2. Education Through Technology - Where are we?
3. The Business of Schools

Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility in Education in the Arab World

Philanthropy plays a major role in the advancement of education. Mainly through the input of funds needed for research and development. When you consider the budgets allocated by countries to the field of education, you may be swayed to think that the amounts being donated through philanthropy might just be a drop in the water. But philanthropists are becoming more and more involved in the direction that their donations are taking and they are becoming more aware that their funds may generate more impact by going into specific areas and aspects of educational reform than just into a pot. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has made a significant financial contribution into the school system in the US and continues to pump in 350 million dollars annually. The Walton Family Foundation is the largest supporter of private and public school scholarships. David Packard, one of the founders of Hewlett-Packard has directed more than 75 million US Dollars. Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computers is one of the known supporters of education through donations from his foundation. The list goes on and on. Without the backing of Gap founders, Donald and Doris Fisher, the KIPP school network would have been capable of achieving such growth and results. Corporations also play a role in giving to education through their corporate social responsibility initiatives. But where are we in the sphere of philanthropy and education in the Arab world? How much is being done? What do we know about it? What can be done?

Panelists:
Mr. Peter Cleaves, CEO, Emirates Foundation
Ms. Valentina Qussaysiya, Director General, Jordan River Foundation

Education Through Technology - Where are we?

Children have embraced technology very naturally and it has become an irreplaceable medium in their everyday life.
We have seen many cases where teachers and parents are even struggling with the difference in pace that their kids have developed.
There are many examples where education has also embraced technology and uses it as an effective way to deliver information and instruction.
But is it the same all over the world?
Is technology in education being used as effectively in the Arab world as it is in Europe or North America or Asia?
What are the interesting efforts being made and what are the challenges faced in making good use of technology in education?

Panelists:
Mr. Nasser Nauthoa, General Manager Gulf Countries, Intel
Mr.Naveen Sethi, Education Sales Manager, Acer Computers
Dr. Kari Stubbs, Vice President, 21st Century Learning, Brain Pop

The Business of Schools

The idea for private schools is that they are institutions that offer an added value over public schools. In the countries that have a developed public schools system, the number of private schools is dwarfed by that of the public schools. In the Arab world, the numbers are alarmingly close. Whether it is due to lack of trust in public education or to certain demographical considerations, private schools have been flourishing ever since the 1960s in Lebanon to the 1980s in the Gulf. Private schools have become an interesting financial project to many investors who are not even remotely in the field. So what makes those schools an interesting business prospect? What are the elements that are at play in developing private schools and what are the driving factors behind them? This panel will take a look at what makes schools a lucrative business venture and what are the different challenges facing their successful operation.

Panelists
Mr. Benjamin Lee, Managing Director, Evolvence Capital
Mr. Bassam Abou Chakra, CEO, ESOL

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