Noella Piquette-Tomei, Dr.

Noella Piquette-Tomei, PhD, is currently an Associate Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Lethbridge. She is also a Registered Psychologist. Her current research and courses taught involve early literacy instruction, differentiated learning, assessment practices in special education and counseling, pre-service teacher training in inclusive education, developmentally appropriate learning strategies, adolescent development trajectories, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and gender specific counseling options. Dr. Piquette-Tomei’s research in areas of diversity is a means to understand and educate others about the similarities between populations rather than the differences. Her background areas of special education and counseling (15 years experience in schools) provide a framework in all of her courses, research, and dissemination as the premise of how to support marginalized and diverse populations have common characteristics.

Richard Selznick, Dr.

Dr. Richard Selznick is a psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist, graduate school professor and university professor of pediatrics. He is author of the book The Shut-Down Learner: Helping Your Academically Discouraged Child. Included in the book are numerous case studies drawn from vast professional experiences. As Director of the Cooper Learning Center, Dr. Selznick oversees a program that assesses and treats a broad range of learning and school-based academic and behavioral problems. The Cooper Learning Center is a Division of the Department of Pediatrics, of Cooper University Hospital. The Hospital is a leading teaching hospital in the region. With its affiliation to UMDNJ (University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey), many of its faculty are represented as among the best in the region. Dr. Selznick presents nationally to parents and educators on a variety of topics related to school struggling.

William Teale, Dr.

William Teale, PhD, Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, completed his doctoral degree at the University of Virginia. Author of over one hundred publications, his work has focused on early literacy learning, the intersection of technology and literacy education, and children’s literature. The book Emergent Literacy: Writing and Reading, which he co-edited with Elizabeth Sulzby, has become a standard reference in the field of early literacy. Dr. Teale has worked in the area of early childhood education with schools and libraries across the United States; with organizations such as Children’s Television Workshop, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and Reach Out and Read; and on productions like Between the Lions. He is the current editor of the “Urban Literacy” column for The Reading Teacher, a former editor of Language Arts, and a member of the Reading Hall of Fame. His current focal research projects are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and involve developing model preschool literacy curricula for four-year-old children in urban, low-income schools.

Tara Brown

Tara Brown is an award-winning educator, author and speaker who's 25 year journey has taken her from rural Florida to Gang Territory in North Long Beach, California and to one of the largest high schools in Tennessee with students representing over 37 countries. Tara is recognized as an expert in connecting with youth and building strong relationships with students and staff. Her passion and humor continues to drive her work with teachers across the world to better equip them with the ability to connect with their students, to have meaningful interactions, and to positively impact the learning process. Tara understands connecting with diverse populations, building relationships and how to get the most out of each individual student and class.

Margaret Mary Kelly, MBE.

Following a successful career in teaching and school management, Maggie became a school’s advisor focusing on leadership and management. She has taught children and young people from age seven to nineteen including working with A Level students preparing for University entrance and young people with learning and behavioural difficulties. She became Principal Consultant to the first Private Education Consultancy in the United Kingdom and has worked with thousands of teachers and school leaders in their quest to improve management and leadership practice and to make learning more accessible for young people. Maggie is a school inspector, accredited by OFSTED (The Office for Standards in Education in the UK). She became director of Youth Affairs for a UK National Charity in 1994 and developed major programmes that now operate across the UK. Since then Maggie has concentrated on consultancy and training with professionals who work with Children and Young People. She has advised Government Ministers and has been a preferred choice for chairing national conferences and for radio and television appearances that demand expertise in the field of education and care of children, young people and their families. Maggie was awarded an MBE, Master of the British Empire, by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 2005 for her contribution to her strategic national leadership role leading to countrywide work with children and young people.

Chris Lundberg, Dr.

Dr. Lundberg holds a B.A. from the University of Redlands; Master of Divinity from the Emory University; and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, Communication Studies. Rhetoric and Cultural Studies. Teaching and research interests include theories of the public and public discourse, public speaking, rhetorical theory, debate and deliberation, critical theory, and Cultural Studies. Dr. Lundberg also teaches the First Year Seminar “Think, Speak, Argue,” which focuses on debate and public speaking skills as pedagogical tools and as critical components of democratic life.

Vincent O’Brien

Vincent O’Brien is Principal Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Cumbria in the North West of England where he is course leader for the MSc International Health. With a background in health care and more than 24 years experience as a teacher, Vincent has wide experience of speaking at international Conferences. He has led seminars, workshops and symposiums in Canada, Central Asia, Latin America, Europe and the USA.

Since 2002, Vincent has been using collaborative visual storytelling and creative activities to help learners develop and express their understanding of complex issues. Extending his early work with school children and university students Vincent is currently working with diverse communities in Brazil, Central Asia and Europe helping them to explore and express community concerns. He is also leading development of a peer to peer social marketing project as part of “InForm: Campaign Against Child and Adolescent Obesity” a three year, eight country project, funded by the European Union Public Health Executive Agency.
Drawing on his experience of using digital technologies in diverse and remote locations Vincent’s contributions to the conference will cover teaching and learning strategies, research and community engagement projects using creative digital media.

Ahmed Ameen Ashour

As an Industry Solutions Specialist for Education at Microsoft Gulf, Ahmed Ameen is responsible for driving the Microsoft Education Solutions across the Gulf region. His area of responsibility includes solutions like the Microsoft Learning Gateway, the Connected Education Framework, Live@edu and other education based solutions offered by Microsoft.

As a Specialist in Education Solutions he works with education Enterprise customers and partners, to guarantee we map our right solutions to the right customer needs, covering all Gulf five countries. Ahmed took on this responsibility in February 2008. Prior to this he was working in the education consultancy field across the EMEA region where he delivered workshops and projects to major Ministries and Districts across the EMEA region and specifically in the UK.

Souraya El Ghawi

Souraya is the Large Enterprise Marketing Manager for Dell Middle East. She is currently responsible for developing the vertical segment marketing business for Dell as well as establishing an ongoing relationship with Dell’s ecosystem of large customers.

Souraya has over seven years experience in the IT industry having previously worked for IBM.  Responsible for running the Software marketing team for 3 years covering the ME, Egypt and Pakistan, her responsibilities included planning with the sales team, developing the Software marketing strategy and incorporating the global marketing messages into the local tactics.  Prior to that, she worked as the Software channel manager covering ME and North Africa, where she was responsible for integrating programs and incentives to boost channel sales as well as coordinating marketing activities and business plans.   She also has 3 years of sales experience, managing the Data Services Business within IBM. Souraya has a B.S in Computer Science from the American University of Beirut, and is currently pursuing an MBA with Warwick University.

Ms. Joumana Karam

Ms. Joumana Karam – Product Marketing Specialist
During the 14 years of IT experience Ms. Joumana Karam has had exposure to the Middle East and African market & interaction with multiple nationalities in their own native languages. Before joining Acer Computer, Ms. Joumana worked with different IT vendors in Lebanon & UAE. Ms. Joumana, has done Masters in Electrical & Electronics Engineering and speaks English, French & Arabic fluently

Karin Ploetz

Karin Ploetz currently holds the position of Director of the Focus Education of the Frankfurt Book-Fair (AuM GmbH), Germany. In this function she created and implemented the "Literacy Campaign", a sponsoring project designed to diminish worldwide illiteracy. Before joining the Frankfurt Book-Fair, Karin Ploetz worked in the Handelsblatt publishing group, Duesseldorf (Germany) where she headed the
marketing department for special products and in 2000 became Productmanager for "Wirtschaftswoche heute", the online version of the German business magazine "Wirtschaftswoche". Prior to her professional engagements in the publishing business, she has worked for Advertising and PR agencies. Karin Ploetz holds a University degree in History and Sociology of the Duesseldorf University.

Krishnamurthy Dhanapal

With more than 25 years of Senior level experience, Krishna Murthy is one of the Middle East’s leading IT figures. In his 15 years with the company, Mr. Murthy’s strategic counsel and leadership has helped establish Acer as a leading brand in the region. Acer Middle East has grown more than 1300 percent under his management. Before becoming the Managing Director for Acer Computer MEA, Mr. Murthy worked in the finance industry organizations in Canada, Qatar and India. Murthy is a graduate of Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK. He is also an Associated Member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) and Associate Member of Chartered Accountant of India (ACA)
 
Married with two sons, Murthy speaks English, Tamil, Hindi and Telegu.

Zaki Khoury

Zaki Khoury is Microsoft Business Manager overlooking the business operations and strategy in Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Yemen. He previously led Education and Citizenship strategic programs in the region. His passion and work dedication assist in enabling people realize their full potential through progress towards knowledge-based economic and social opportunities. His experience with leading technology and development initiatives, and understanding of the Middle East, has been instrumental to well positioning Microsoft Gulf by pursuing and building key engagement models in strategic initiatives in Gulf and across the region.
 
Before joining Microsoft, Dr. Khoury assumed several roles including the International Rescue Committee’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Principal Development Specialist in Development Alternatives Inc., and Regional Coordinator of the World Bank’s Urban Management Program for the Arab States. As director of Education & Employment at the International Youth Foundation (IYF), Dr. Khoury also led the establishment of public-private alliances linking education reforms with employability opportunities in Indonesia, Egypt, India, Morocco, Pakistan, and Philippines. He also provided consultancy to UNDP, OTI, and Canadian International Development Agency on Education and Employability programs in East & West Africa, Middle East, and West Asia.
 
Dr. Khoury has a PhD in Collaborative Planning (Montreal), a Master in Economics (London), another Master in Environmental Management (Senghor), and a BSc. in Engineering.  He is a member of the Society of the International Development, American Management Association, and EF Council for Science and Technology. In early 2007, Dr. Khoury moved with his wife and two children from Maryland to currently live in Dubai, UAE.

Raghda Jaber

Raghda Jaber is a management consultant.  Until early 2008, she worked for the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) in Lebanon as head of IT unit and Coordinator of a variety of initiatives concerned with technology-driven reform in education and its governance.  Prior to that, Raghda was national project coordinator in charge of planning and implementation of the Cadastre Operations Modernization and Automation Project (COMAP), under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) from its inception to successful completion in 2005.  Prior to joining MoF, she worked for the Massachusetts state government for 8 years, at the Division of Capital Planning and Operations, managing the development and implementation of state’s IT-Driven asset management program MAssets.  Raghda continues to teach courses on land tenure and land use policy at the graduate urban planning program of the American University of Beirut.  She has a master’s degree in Policy Analysis and Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from American University of Beirut.   

Ahmad Abdul-Rahman

Ahmad Abdul-Rahman holds a master degree in Physical Education, started his career as a PE teacher at a center for children with special needs & later at public schools.  Contributed in establishing Health Program Section at the Ministry of Education in 2003. Currently working at Dubai School Agency (of KHDA) as project manager of Princess Haya Initiative for the Development of Health, Physical Education & School Sport which is implemented in all Dubai public schools.

Ayman A. Abulaban MD, MPH, Ph.D

Currently, UNICEF Representative for the Arab Countries in the Gulf, prior to moving to Riyadh was the Chief “Health and Nutrition Section” UNICEF Pakistan, which considered as one of the largest UNICEF supported programs globally.
Joined UNICEF in 1995 and worked in different capacities including Program Coordinator in Jordan, Representative in Libya and Chief of Punjab Provincial office in Pakistan. During 2005 took a special leave and worked as Secretary General for the “Arab Council for Childhood and Development” (ACCD) Cairo.  
Before joining UNICEF, held different posts including Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Yarmouk, JUST and Jordan Universities, Director “Institute for Child Health and Development” Amman, Advisor to “Noor_Alhussein Foundation”, Deputy Director General and Program Director for “Welfare Association” in Geneva and Advisor to the Ministry Of Health in Muscat, Oman. Led and participated in many consulting missions for UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, ESCWA, USAID, Radda Barnenn and AED.
 
Area of Expertise: planning, management and administration of human development programs with specific interest in Public/Child Health, Child Protection and Applied Research.
 
Led and participated in many national and regional applied research development projects including several monitoring and evaluation missions.
 
Hold the following degrees: Doctor in Medicine (Aleppo University), Master in Public Health and Doctor in Public Health-Epidemiology (Tulane University USA). Also member of Jordan Medical Association and American Public Health Association.

Dr  Mariam  Ahmed  Al Matroushi

-A consultant family physician had Arab Board, Family Medicine  in 1999. 
-Currently working  as the director of Health Legislation  Department  in the Ministry of Health since July 2008
-Director of Central School Health Department in the Ministry of Health, for 8 years (May 2000 – 2008) and still in charge of school health program in the ministry
Worked as acting director for health education and disease control for 1-2 years
National Coordinator and Trainer in several national and international surveys and Programs and programs related to school health  ( as Health Promoting Schools Network , Global school based  health surveillance, National Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative, FRESH (Focusing resources on effective school health ) Initiative, and other…) in collaboration with WHO and other partners   

Ian Maber

Ian Maber is the PolyVision educational consultant for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Ian brings over 25 years of experience in the classroom. His talent of blending educational pedagogical principles with technological developments across a broad range of levels and subjects is apparent in his work with some of the most well-known names in technology development: Intel, Samsung, Pearson Publishing BBC, Channel Four and RM Education.

Ian has also worked in an advisory capacity with government departments including the United States, Australian and Canadian High Commissions.

In his words, “PolyVision Technology products, the ēno interactive whiteboard in particular, have many plus points. It is great fun to go into teaching and learning environments to show what a positive impact our interactive whiteboards can have in the classroom.”

Patrick Beyrouti

Patrick brings more than 15 years of experience in teaching and administrative roles in universities like McGill Canada, Concordia and more recently in the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. His entrepreneurial skills within education in curriculum development as well as his innovative style in teaching and interest in learners have been an asset to him.  Currently working for Arab Business Machine the Apple Authorised distributor in the Middle-east, he hold the position of Education Manager for the Middle-east and is responsible for implementing Apple's strategy in the education sector.

Mr. Bassam Abushakra

Bassam Abushakra is the Regional Director of ESOL LLC FZ, based in Dubai. He has held this position since August 2004, working in establishing ESOL’s two Dubai schools; the Deira International School and the Universal American School. His responsibilities include managing the operations of ESOL’s Abu Dhabi school, American International School in Abu Dhabi. He holds a seat on ESOL’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining ESOL, Mr. Abushakra worked in the field of finance, holding the title of Vice President in the Equity Division of Credit Suisse First Boston in New York for 6 years. Bassam holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from the University of Michigan , as well as an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago.

Mr. Hazim Abbas

Current posts
Director of Arabic and Islamic Education/ Repton Dubai since April 2009
Chief Examiner/ Edexcel Arabic IGCSE since Sept. 2004
Principal Examiner/ Edexcel Arabic GCSE since January 2000
Advising Examiner/ Ministry of Education/ Irish Republic since January 2002
National & International Teachers trainer/ Edexcel since October 2004
 
Previous posts:
Head of Arabic & Islamic Faculty/ The sultan’s School / Oman
Senior lecturer/ Defence School of Languages/ MOD UK
Head of Arabic & Islamic Studies/ Kink Fahad Academy/ London UK

نبيلة علي الميرزا

نبيلة علي الميرزا مدرسة منذ ثماني سنوات، حائزة على بكالوريوس في التربية والعلوم عام 1991 وعلى دبلوم في الإدارة المدرسية عام 2001، عملت كمساعدة مديرة مدّة أربع سنوات، وكمديرة مدرسة لفترة ست سنوات، وهي تشغل حالياً منصب مديرة إدارة التطوير والتنمية المهنية. من أهم أعمالها في الإطار التربوي، البرنامج الإلكتروني الذي صمّمته للتنمية المهنية للمعلمين.
شاركت في العديد من المؤتمرات والمشاريع في أكثر من دولة عربية وأجنبية، منها مؤتمر التعليم في تركيا عام 2008، مؤتمر ناشفيل في الولايات المتحدة الأميركية عام 2007، مشروع سلم التدرج الوظيفي لكل من مدير المدرسة والمعلم والموجه عام 2009، مشروع تدريب وتطوير المعلمين والموجهين 2009 والعديد من اللقاءات والمقابلات الأخرى.
قامت السيدة الميرزا بتحضير وتنفيذ العديد من ورش العمل في الإمارات العربية المتحدة، أبرزها تلك التي أعدّتها عام 2007 بعنوان صحف التفكر وعام 2006 بعنوان التخطيط الإستراتيجي في مكتب الشارقة التعليمي.
حائزة على جائزة خليفة بن زايد للمعلم عن بحثها التربوي " تفاعل المدرسة مع المجتمع وأثر ذلك في تطوير العمل التربوي"، وعلى جائزة خليفة للتميز التربوي.
للسيدة الميرزا عدة أبحاث ودراسات أبرزها ما نشرته وزارة التربية والتعليم عامي 2006 و2007 بعنوان " اتجاهات بعض عناصر العملية التعليمية نحو اختبار قياس القدرة ( السيبا )" و " مدى كفاية برامج التنمية المهنية للمعلمين" والعديد من المنشورات والدراسات الأخرى.

هنادي دية

استشارية لبرامج تعليم اللغة العربية. عملت منسقة وإدارية ومسشارة لمناهج اللغة العربية في المدارس الأميركية والدولية.في دول عدة: لبنان، عمان، مصر وقطر. كما وتدير حلقات تدريب لأساتذة اللغة العربية في المؤتمرات العالمية والمدارس
رأست السيدة هنادي دية لجنة الاستشارات العربية في مجلس المدارس الأميركية في الشرق الأدنى وجنوب آسيا
التي أصدرت السلسلة المتصلة لمهارات اللغة العربية وأشرفت على قسم اللغة العربية في مؤتمر NESA، AERO في البحرين. السيدة هنادي شاركت في وضع معايير اللغات العالمية ضمن مشروع (NESA)
للسيدة دية مؤلفات عدة. فقد أعدت برنامج تعليم اللغة العربية لمرحلة رياض الأطفال استناداً إلى نظرية الذكاءات المتعددة لـ “هوارد جاردنر”. وأيضا اشرفت على “كتاب العربية”: سلسلة لتعليم العربية بالاستناد إلى المعايير للمرحلة الابتدائية. كما ألفت عدة قصص للأطفال.

سلطان ناصر الدّين

• متخصّص في اللّغة العربيّة، طرائق تدريسها.
• متخصّص في التّربية
• مؤلّف كتب لتعليم الأطفال - وسائل سمعيّة ووسائل سمعيّة بصريّة -.ألعاب تربويّة
• باحث تربويّ لُغَويّ
• خبير تدريب في المجال التّربويّ والمجال الاجتماعيّ
• محاضر في الإرشاد التّربويّ والتّوعية الاجتماعيّة
• عضو لجنة التّقييم في المركز التربوي للبحوث والإنماء –لبنان
• المنسّق العامّ للّغة العربيّة في ثانويّة الرّوضة –لبنان
• كاتب، ومن مؤلفاتِه: نصوص مسموعة، علّميني ياحياة، شباب دائم، دبابيس، مَشاهد ملّونة فنّ الإصغاء

مازن الشيخ

طارق هرموش

متخصص في الريّاضيات وطرائق تدريسها، حائز على ماجيستير في فنون التعليم، بالإضافة إلى إجازة وكفاءة في تعليم الرّياضيات، تصميم وتنفيذ البرامج التدريبية للكبار
(designing learner centered courses for adults)
ومدرّب معتمد من قبل وزارة التربية والتعليم اللبنانيّة، وجامعة الهايكازيان، وشركة الجيوبروجكتس، وغيرها من المؤسسات اللبنانيّة، ومدرّب مدرّبين معتمد من قبل منظّمة الورلد لينكس العالمية في مجال تصميم البرامج ودمج تكنولوجيا الأنترنت في التعليم