GESS Education Awards winners announced

The GESS Education Awards celebrated innovative teachers, suppliers and community leaders in the Middle East.

The awards are held in conjunction with the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai exhibition and conference, and received entries from countries such as the UK, Denmark, Spain, South Africa, Colombia, Pakistan, Australia, India and Egypt; in addition to entries received from around the Middle East.

A panel of educators chose 23 outstanding initiatives and achievements by individuals, organisations and companies who have made significant contributions to the advancement of education in the Middle East.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, in partnership with Táaleem, was given to Rob Stoke (OBE), managing director of Al Futtaim Education Foundation, and former director of Jumeirah English Speaking School. He was selected by a prestigious panel of educators and recognised for developing and leading one of the most successful school groups in the UAE. He has been instrumental in curriculum design working with both the National Curriculum for England and the IB, and is a founder member of the KHDA-led What Works initiative in Dubai.

Among the big winners recognised were DTC School Bus System (SME Company of the Year), 21st Century Learning International (Start-Up Company of the Year), and 3P Learning (Multinational Company of the year).

Other notable winners given trophies were PASCO Scientific (Innovation Product Awards – STEM), WinjiGo by ITWORX Education (Innovation Product Awards - E-Learning / Software / Apps), Funzi (Best Free ICT / App Product), STEAM Craft Edu (Best Free ICT / App Product), Pobble (Best Paid for ICT / App Product) and BabNoor (Best Paid for ICT / App Product).

Companies supplying a variety of products and services for use in different school levels were also honoured for their effectiveness in helping teachers and students perform better. Winners include The Knowledge Hub - Learning A-Z (SEN Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), Connect Childcare (Early Years Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), PG Online Ltd (Primary Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), Extramarks Education Singapore Pte Ltd. (Secondary & Higher Education Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), Kalemon Arabic Language Learning (Best resource or equipment - non ICT), Seppo (Best Product to Promote Health and Fitness in the Classroom), Pomegranate Language Institute (Judges Commendation Award – Supplier)

Bindu Thankappan Vijayamma received the Innovation in Education Awards for successfully getting students to become more interested and proficient in mathematics with his unique methodologies. Annie Barrows - Clarion School won the Best use of ICT / eLearning in the Classroom award for her commitment to the better utilisation and application of ICT tools and technologies in the classroom.

Other individual awardees honoured for their achievements were Asha Alexander - The Kindergarten Starters (Ambassador for the Environment), Mohamed Mohtady Mohamed (Community Award for Citizenship), Shougat Nazbin Khan (Outstanding Contribution in Education Awards) and Rasha Al-Najjar (Judges Award – Educational Professional).