Free Education for Children Across the Globe – Get Involved!

Dubai remains one of the world’s strongest growth engines thanks to the vision and inspired leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. Recently, Sheikh Mohammed introduced a strategy and vision which is based on the foundations that will achieve an overall UAE vision until the year 2021 (Emirates News Agency, WAM, Jan 3, 2010). The strategy’s top priority is to provide the highest levels of prosperity and a decent life for citizens, by upgrading the education and health care systems and focus on social development and the improvement of governmental services so as to enhance UAE stature worldwide (Emirates News Agency, WAM, Jan 3, 2010). His Highness aims to establish a world class learning system based on the development of knowledge and skills of students of all ages and build a knowledge-based economy that will maintain the UAE's trade standing regionally and internationally (Emirates News Agency, WAM, Jan 3, 2010).

In line with Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, Xpert Learning, the leading e-Learning solutions provider in the Middle East, has played an extensive and sustained role in encouraging and fostering education throughout the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East region since its inception. Education is a top corporate priority for Xpert Learning, as it is the key to prosperity and opportunity. Janine Croft, Managing Director at Xpert Learning emphasized that the company strives to bring corporate responsibility to every aspect of its business. “We’ve institutionalized strong principles of corporate governance and support initiatives that increase access to technology and education,” said Janine. “Xpert Learning just recently came across a very interesting initiative known as “Free Education for Children Across the Globe” which aligned itself nicely with our company’s corporate social responsibility. We are keen to get individuals and organizations within the Middle East region involved in this amazing solution,” she further added.

In today’s complex world, children’s futures are determined by their ability to master the basics of reading, science, math and computers. Yet costs, class sizes and other issues often prevent children access to quality online learning that can support and reinforce these essential skills. e-Learning for Kids is a global non-profit foundation providing childhood learning via the internet completely free of charge.

Covering the basics such as reading, science, maths and computers, it is not only a place for children between the ages of 5 and 12 to come and learn in their own time at their own pace, but also a community for the grownups too.

In 2009, more than 1.6 million children in 190 countries benefited from one or more e-Learning for Kids courses. For 2010, their goal is to reach between 2 to 3 million children.

There are so many ways in which you can get involved to help them achieve this goal, from simply spreading the word to making a donation, from volunteering your skills (whether as an individual or as a vendor) to partnering with or sponsoring the foundation. This is an amazing initiative and will most definitely be of great benefit to children in the Middle East.

To find out more and to get involved now, please contact us at Xpert Learning at info@xpertlearning.com or call +971 4 3910504.

Lakshmi Prakash, active researcher in the field of e-Learning

Lakshmi Prakash completed her Masters Degree in Computer Applications from Madras University, and worked in India for some time at Amrita Institute of Technology & Science (AITEC) currently under Amritha Vishwapeedam University, Kerala, India. After a few years in India, she moved to Oman in 2001 and joined Sohar University as Course Coordinator. Since then, she developed her research interest in personalized e-learning systems tools and architecture.

Lakshmi is currently publishing research papers in these areas in collaboration with Prof. N.S. Kutti (Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman) and Dr. A.S.M. Sajeev (Professor of Computer Science, UNE, Adelaide, Australia).

Being an avid fan of e-Learning, Lakshmi has always believed that the availability of good quality learning resources plays a very important role in improving students’ performance. Tracking and reporting on students’ performance are two of the issues that almost all educational institutions face today. She feels that learning management systems and content portals like SkillSoft’s Books24x7 are the answer to this problem. At Sohar University, e-Learning was introduced very gradually. As the Course Coordinator and e-Learning Researcher, Lakshmi was able to introduce many of the University staff and students to a learning management system, through several workshops. It was not easy in the beginning. Unfreezing people’s mindsets, moving them to a new paradigm and freezing them again can be a challenging task indeed. The learning curve was quite high for people who were quite new to such a system. However, the students embraced the initiative and the software with open arms. e-Learning has brought Sohar University and its staff closer to students and the students closer to the learning process. They appreciate the availability of resources within the learning management system and can easily develop a learning path which helps them meet deadlines, get access to their learning topics and also communicate with their course coordinators and among themselves.

The senior management at Sohar University and the Faculty of Computing & IT was quite open to new forms of learning. Lakshmi kept in touch with Xpert Learning and after assessing their learning needs, Xpert Learning presented them with SkillSoft’s Books24x7, which suited their requirements and was subsequently acquired. Students and faculty members were grappling with the need to acquire more knowledge and needed more resources. Similar to the learning management system adoption, it was not easy to encourage the students and staff to use Books24x7; most of whom often cited time as a constraint. However, within a short period of time, Books24x7 experienced a growing number of users. This, anytime, anywhere, library with such a large and ever-growing collection of very useful book excerpts, covering almost every topic in IT, Engineering and Business is more than what we expected at the University. Now students are free not only to refer books that are mentioned in their course profiles, but also read books on the latest technologies and new research areas. Students browse the site from their mobile phones and a growing number of students are using Books24x7 more for knowledge rather than just to pass the course. The Search, Personal Folders, History, Recommended, Mobile Access, Top Titles and other features provide the much required personalization tools that endear Books24x7 to serious learners at Sohar University.

Contact Lakshmi Prakash at lakshmi@soharuni.edu.om

Xpert Learning turns over a new leaf

Xpert Learning, the leading e-Learning solutions provider of the Middle East, turned 7 this month. Ranked among the few fortunate and successful organizations which announced growth in 2009, Xpert Learning boasts a significant growth on last year’s revenues. Astounding success as it may sound to many, Xpert Learning has managed to keep itself level-headed in many areas of business.

Recognizing and following His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision of a Greener Dubai and in line with the Earth Day (April 22, 2010), Xpert Learning decided to take it to the next level by going Green and Eco-Friendly. All waste paper and tins in the office are deposited in special boxes for recycling. But this is not where Xpert Learning stopped.

Asim Saeed, a technology freak and a visionary employee at Xpert Learning, suggested that we must all give Dubai something back. According to Asim, it is unfair to the city of Dubai to billow smoke and all other carbon emissions in the atmosphere with air-conditioning equipment running 24x7 and monster trucks patrolling the 13 lane highways aimlessly; where water and greenery are scarce. Asim believes that we all need to do our share to not only reduce carbon emissions, but also increase oxygen supply by doing our small bit. So, one Sunday morning, on his 2x2 desk, he places a can, not larger than a Soft Drink Tin.

The tin contains a bean in a special type of soil and ready to germinate. Asim watered it for 3 days and a plant sprouted out. Out of the plant comes a bean with a special message on it… “Hope”.

    

The bean grows a few inches every day. It not only got the staff members at Xpert Learning excited about the concept, but people from a few of the neighboring offices and some delivery boys who come on a daily basis to say Hello to their little plant friend.

While Asim is busy booking orders for the beans, when asked to comment on this great idea, he said it gives him great pleasure to see the bean grow and shape up.

Since Asim’s bean is a beautiful little indoor plant, it requires minimum sunlight and water. Feel like trying one?

Contact Asim at asim@xpertlearning.com for more information and connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Saba Al Tukmachy: A successful change of career - From dental surgeon to e-Learning fairy

After graduating from the prestigious Ajman University of Science & Technology with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) in 2002, Saba Al Tukmachy practiced as a dental surgeon for a few years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over these years, she nurtured a particular interest in surgeries and treatment methodologies that could be carried out using cutting-edge electronic and high-tech equipment. According to Saba, her dental surgeon career was a childhood dream come true for her. Even if she spent a short period of time within the medical profession, she enjoyed the experience and gained exposure that would prove vital for her next steps in life.

A great philosopher, Frederick F. Flack, once said, “Most people can look back over the years and identify a time and place at which their lives changed significantly. Whether by accident or design, these are the moments when, because of a readiness within us and a collaboration with events occurring around us, we are forced to seriously reappraise ourselves and the conditions under which we live and to make certain choices that will affect the rest of our lives”. Similarly, Saba made a choice that changed her life. She took up a job offer from the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Dubai, as an event, marketing and customer relation executive. Switching from a medical profession into the business world was quite a challenge for Saba but her determination and confidence allowed her to adapt to the new field with ease. Her job scope was a lot focused on building relationships, marketing, branding, advertising, event management. She also got exposed to various advanced graphic design software, online registration systems and Cisco-related online courses.

Following this step in her career, Saba joined Emirates National Oil Company Limited (ENOC) in 2009. ENOC, a wholly-owned Dubai government company, is a global energy group, operating 30 active subsidiaries and joint ventures, many forged with key international blue chip organizations. Its services range from real estate to retail, where an extensive network of ENOC and EPPCO service stations across Dubai and the Northern Emirates supply motorists’ fuel needs and include convenience stores, car wash and quick oil change facilities.

By the time she moved to ENOC, Saba was pretty experienced in online systems. At that time, ENOC had already launched a pilot e-Learning initiative with behavioral courses for its employees. However, this initiative was unsuccessful due to lack of buy-in from senior management.

With the help of Xpert Learning and using two of its main product offerings, NetDimensions Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP), and SkillSoft’s courseware library of key business topics and competencies as well as utilizing the marketing and branding techniques she acquired from her previous work experience, Saba re-introduced the concept of e-Learning in a much more fashionable way and turned it into one of the most important innovative modern learning tools within the ENOC culture. Since then, e-Learning has helped ENOC in its goal of becoming a large organization with operational businesses.  e-Learning allowed ENOC employees who work in long shifts and in external sites such as Jebel Ali and Fujairah, amongst others, to have access to training materials. According to Saba, e-Learning has been the much-needed solution to learning & development of their competencies online.

Besides the fact that e-Learning is a very valuable and cost effective opportunity provided by the organization, Saba felt that it has proved to be an incentive for many senior managers to try and benefit from it. “I, myself have enjoyed a lot of the simulations and the business scenarios I experienced through these simulations, and the fact that I can refer back to learning materials whilst undertaking these online modules, is really amazing”,  Saba enthusiastically added.

Saba reserves special plaudits to the Xpert Learning team. “Xpert Learning has provided us with the right tools that we needed at ENOC to make e-Learning a success. They have given us many great opportunities to meet with other clients and major companies, within the UAE and Middle East region where we’ve shared our success story at ENOC and best practices. Let’s not forget the continued technical support and customer service of the Xpert Learning team. The technical orientation sessions delivered by the team for our staff periodically has proved to be very useful to us”, said Saba.

Saba Al Tukmachy currently works as a Training Coordinator within the Learning & National Development Department of ENOC.

Contact Saba at saba.altukmachy@enoc.com

e-Learning Boat Captain abandons Dragon boating and chooses leisure cruising as an alternative

Dubai, April 25 - 26, 2010. Following the Dragon Boat Race at Dubai Festival City, Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of Xpert Learning and Captain of the e-Learning boat (which came last within the dragon boat race), developed a real taste for the seas, besides his passion for e-Learning. Paul has enrolled himself for a boating course!

JPS Passenger Yachts & Boats Rental (LLC), a company based in Dubai, will be conducting the two-day Royal Yachting Association (RYA) course which will take place at the Dubai Creek and Yacht Club, in Deira, on the 25th and 26th of April 2010. The RYA is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrow boats, and personal watercraft.

One of the great things about being on the water is that one never stops learning. The RYA is a leading maritime publisher, with some 80+ book, DVD and multimedia titles on its current list relating to all matters marine from Get Started books, books for children to more advanced pilotage and weather books and more.

Their publications are highly regarded internationally and RYA titles have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages. They are developing special southern hemisphere editions of their leading training titles to meet demand from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and a co-publishing agreement is in prospect for the USA.

The two-day course content being offered by RYA is broken down into 2 levels, namely PowerBoat Levels 1 and 2. A description of these 2 levels is provided below:

PowerBoat Level 1

This course is an introduction to boating techniques for launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment.

PowerBoat Level 2

This two-day course provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It includes close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres, man overboard recovery and collision regulations. The course can be taken inland or on the coast and the certificate will be endorsed accordingly.

No matter how challenging the courses are, Paul is really looking forward to earning the certifications. “After tasting the water too much and suffering the aches and pains of rowing on the Dragon Boat, it seems that PowerBoat sports are a lot easier”, said Paul. “Perhaps, leisure cruising will be a less strenuous option than the Dragon Boat racing”, he further added. 

We wish Paul all the best for his endeavor. Aye Aye Captain Paul! May the force be with you!

NetDimensions User Day 2010: Save the Date

Xpert Learning is proud to announce that it will be hosting its first ever NetDimensions User Day Event on the 2nd of June 2010. This event is a first of its kind within the Middle East region and will be held in collaboration with NetDimensions, based in Hong Kong. NetDimensions is a global enterprise solutions provider of performance, knowledge and learning management systems. Its main offering is the Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP), which is a powerful, multilingual learning management system that manages the entire training and development process from delivering and tracking to testing and reporting. Xpert Learning’s clients within the Middle East region are active users of the EKP System. Our clients effectively use EKP for candidate screening, new-hire orientations, skill and competency assessments, employee reviews, career development planning, certification procedures, sales and service training, and much more.

The aim of the NetDimensions User Day event is to bring together current and potential users of EKP in order to:

• Share best practices, ROI and new innovations through interactive sessions and case studies
• Learn about success stories
• Understand the full functionalities of the LMS and make full use of these functionalities
• Learn about current trends within the LMS space and future offerings of NetDimensions and Xpert Learning

The venue for this FREE event will be advised within the coming weeks. The full event agenda will also be posted shortly.

To register for this event, please send us an email with your name, company name and number of seats required to events@xpertlearning.com or call +9714 4461219.  Seating will be limited. Please book your seat as soon as possible.

Paul Michael Gledhill, a visionary leader with a passion for e-Learning

Having worked in the travel industry in some of the world’s most exotic locations, Paul returned to the UK to continue his training career and development studies. He worked for the UK Government as Business and Training Advisor and received several awards from the Training and Development Lead Body (TDLB), and Lincoln and Durham Business Schools for Business and Training Counseling. As a professional trainer and an excellent presenter with a keen interest in emerging technologies, Paul started looking into the booming e-Learning industry. Paul is currently a Director and Co-founder of Xpert Learning FZ-LLC, an e-Learning service and solutions provider, based in Dubai and founded in April 2003. Xpert Learning works with the leading corporate, government and educational establishments throughout the Middle East.

Paul has implemented over 100 technology-enabled learning and development initiatives for the likes of FedEx, Siemens, DEPA, Nestle, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates National Bank of Dubai, Unilever, GUST University, Etihad Airways, Rivoli Group, Supreme, ENOC, Ministry of Bahrain, Dubai Airports, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Emirates Airlines and many others. The successful implementations have helped these leading companies optimize learning efficiency through the use of innovative learning techniques and technologies.

Paul is also a provider of research centric consulting solutions that assist organizations to define, operate and optimize their strategic learning initiatives.

With thousands of learners on customized corporate learning portals throughout the Middle East, Paul has introduced a new modality of learning to an array of people from so many cultures and demographics. Learners using these portals range from blue-collar workers to white-collar workers to managers and CEOs.

In terms of his achievements, Paul’s list scales from SkillSoft Sales Person of the Year in 2005 to International Business Partner of The Year in 2008. He has been recognized by many of Xpert Learning’s high profile clientele and has been recognized as an expert in the field of e-Learning both in the region and internationally by peers both within and outside the industry.

As a pioneer of research on technology-enabled learning in the region, Paul has also conducted online surveys and collected feedback from learners and managers of online learning initiatives and has provided tremendous insights to trends and future options for the general public. A white paper on the state of e-Learning in the Middle East written by Paul along with two colleagues, Nabeel Nazeer and Riham Khoury, can be found on Xpert Learning’s website via the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/y24yk9a 

Over the past 7 years, Paul has been actively conducting round tables and has been hosting many conferences, most of which he was appointed Master of Ceremonies. Through these high-profile events, he has enthusiastically engaged participation and opened the minds and hearts of people wishing to enhance their knowledge using technology.

The main impact to the region of Paul’s highly avid initiatives has been the 60+ companies that, year on year, continue to work with Paul and Xpert Learning to enhance the working lives and knowledge base of workers throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

All in all, Paul is a very enthusiastic individual who is committed to promoting lifelong learning for people from different cultures within the Middle East. His passion has brought him success in the e-Learning field and with the growing number of clientele for Xpert Learning, lots of opportunities exist for him to share his knowledge to the masses and take e-Learning to a different level in the coming years.


Connect with Paul Gledhill via: 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paul.xpert?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/xpertpg
LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/y48bvpv

Xpert Learning set to participate in the 5th Annual GCC Nationalisation Summit

Dubai, April 25 - 29, 2010. The Middle East region’s longest running and highly acclaimed Nationalisation event is back. The 5th Annual GCC Nationalisation Summit 2010 is not just another HR event. It is designed to incorporate the region’s leading Nationalisation programmes and it will tackle the attraction, retention and development strategies that companies are now facing whilst arming themselves with proven solutions that they can implement in their future and existing Nationalisation programmes. This year, the event will be held from the 25th to the 29th of April 2010 at Arjaan Rotana Hotel, Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The event will include speeches and workshops led by GCC Nationalisation industry leaders who will share exclusive best practices and case studies on implementing the latest techniques and programmes, challenges faced and successful solutions.

Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of Xpert Learning, has been appointed as a workshop leader during the event. Mr. Gledhill has more than 7 years of experience in the field of e-Learning. He has been recognized as an expert in this field both in the region and internationally by peers both within and outside the industry. Mr. Gledhill has also been actively conducting round tables and has been hosting many conferences, most of which he was appointed Master of Ceremonies. Through these high-profile events, he has enthusiastically engaged participation and opened the minds and hearts of people wishing to enhance their knowledge using technology.

Mr. Gledhill will be leading an interactive workshop entitled “Sustainable employee engagement and empowering company culture”, on Wednesday 28 April 2010 (13:30 for 13:45 start – 16:45 for 17:00 finish with a 30 minutes break mid afternoon) at the Arjaan Rotana Hotel. An overview of this workshop, which promises to be very thought-provoking, follows:

Workshop Overview

How do you know if your employees are actually satisfied, happy, motivated or even engaged in their day-to-day roles? Do they talk about your organisation outside of the office – what do they say? This workshop will show you how to create an engaging, interactive environment that Nationals will find hard to leave.

By attending this workshop you will be able to:

• Build a company culture that engages all employees
• Look at programmes to empower your employees and to make them loyal advocates of the organisation
• Understand where there may be current problems and explore how you can eradicate them

For more information on how to register for this event and attend the workshop, please contact Paul Michael Gledhill via paul.gledhill@xpertlearning.com or call +97143910503. 

Xpert Learning to hold a workshop in Dubai on how to deliver successful presentations

Presentation skills are now an essential part of everyday life - whether it is in business communications, sales, education, demonstration, community and social pursuits or simply as part of a hobby or leisure pursuit. Giving a mere talk, a motivational speech, clinching an important sales opportunity or clearly communicating a message; all are the more effective for the speaker having the right skills and approach to effectively impart the right information. Furthermore, in today’s challenging business environment, clients, partners, managers and stakeholders expect companies to communicate with them more effectively than ever before.

“Delivering Successful Presentations” is Xpert Learning’s all-encompassing workshop to deliver those skills to would-be and could-be-better communicators. This workshop will equip you with the latest tips and techniques on delivering information with clarity, confidence and conviction. We will focus on the content of your presentation and the techniques you need to be a more effective presenter. Learn the simple and constructive methods to secure an effective and successful outcome to any communicating task. Recognise the factors that aid and hinder the communications process and know how best to maximise the strengths and overcome the weaknesses of any communications challenge. Become proficient at doing the simple things well in the use of equipment and technology, such as projectors, boards, computers and Microsoft PowerPoint. Be at the vanguard of cutting edge use of the new audio and video media that can lift your message and engage your audience in ways you (or they) never thought possible.

This classroom-based workshop is accompanied by an interactive online training package, which will act as a guide and a valuable reference tool for the future. It will include the following titles by SkillSoft:

• Presenting Successfully
• Delivering the Message
• Giving Successful Presentations Simulation

The key areas that will be covered within the workshop include:

• The Foundations of Presentations
• Basic Presentation Structure
• Using Presentation Equipment Effectively
• Delivering Your Message
• Combining Presentation Skills with MS PowerPoint
• Presenting with Confidence and Impact
• Advanced Presentation Skills

Presenters will be:

• Paul Michael Gledhill, Director & Co-Founder of Xpert Learning
• William Spindloe, Business Development Director at Xpert Learning

Workshop Date:

• 17 May 2010

Workshop Venue:

• Arjaan by Rotana
• Location: Dubai Media City
• Directions: Arjaan by Rotana-Dubai is located in the heart of Dubai Media City at Al Sufouh road and overlooking the Palm Island. The Hotel Apartments Property is just 5 km away from Mall of the Emirates and at a distance of 30 km from Dubai International Airport.

Workshop Timing:

• 8:30am – 4:30pm

Cost of the workshop:

• Dhs 500 per attendee

Number of Seats:

• Limited seats available. Please book your seat at the earliest.

For more information, please contact events@xpertlearning.com or call +9714 4461219.

e-Learning Boat lose big time at Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival

Dubai, April 04, 2010. Xpert Learning took part in the 3^rd Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival, which was held at the Festival Marina, Dubai Festival City. More than 40 teams participated in the event, which was broken down into 4 separate categories, namely Premier Mixed, Corporate Cup, School/University Cup and More Premier Women. The Xpert Learning Team, aboard their e-Learning Boat, competed within the Corporate Cup.

In true stereotypical fashion, the members of the e-Learning boat, who the other competitors labelled, “The Geeks”, came last in their race.

Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of Xpert Learning and Captain of the e-Learning Boat said: “We were getting lots of jibes from the other teams about us plotting an e-Learning course on Dragon Boating techniques on laptops and not being able to even finish. But our team never stopped rowing and put such a brave and valiant effort. So, we were the true winners on the day!”

“Some of our crew members had never even been in a boat, never mind rowing us to victory, but our attitude was to go out there, enjoy the day and at all costs, cross that finish line,” he added.

In a formal statement, the Directors of Xpert Learning, who sponsored the e-Learning Boat, reiterated their confidence in the e-Learning boat crew after the race and blamed the weather for the race results. “It is obvious that the wind and the bad start were the only reasons for our loss, otherwise I think we would have gone on to the finals and been the eventual winners.”

According to Janine Croft, Managing Director of Xpert Learning, the event was very well-organized. “The organizers did a magnificent job throughout the tournament and everything ran smoothly,” declared Janine.

Asim Saeed, Account Consultant at Xpert Learning and one of the crew members, drove the team ahead with a pretty inspiring and motivational song. “We sang ‘row row row your boat gently down the stream’, but perhaps that wasn’t the right song choice to get to the finish line first”, said Asim.

Rana Khoury, e-Learning Assessment Specialist and Project Manager at Xpert Learning, maintained a fighting spirit despite losing the race. “We would challenge the other teams to some online assessments and see how well they do,” affirmed Rana, with much determination.

Nabeel Nazeer, Technical Consultant at Xpert Learning, shared Rana’s spirit. “We have already started training for next year’s event, we know where we went wrong this time. Watch out for us next year!”

Riham Khoury, Account Manager at Xpert Learning, was one of the few, if not only, covered women who took part in the race. “I loved representing all the covered women out there. It was great and I had so much fun with the crew,” said Riham.

Nina Dubash, Account Consultant at Xpert Learning, blamed the sea water for the team’s loss. “I got a mouth full of water and felt sick, otherwise we would have won,” declared Nina. She further added that “it was an amazing experience, nonetheless and we all had so much fun”.

Musfir (Tom) Khawaja, Account Consultant at Xpert Learning, felt that the event was amazing and truly lived up to his expectations. “The event was awesome, it was well-organized, all the teams were motivated. One could just sense the competitiveness in the air. I think our team did really well, with the minimal training that we had and considering that it was a first for all of us,” he expressed.

As part of its ongoing support and gratitude to its customers, Xpert Learning invited some of them to join the e-Learning Boat and be part of the experience.

Badia Bouhaddou, Business Coordinator at the Finance Department of Noor Islamic Bank, loved the event. “I feel extremely proud of being part of such a wonderful team and I would like to thank all of you for the amazing time I spent with you all. Participating in such an event for the first time makes me feel like I was a winner already even before the race started!” said Badia.

She further enthusiastically added that, “the fact that we even got on the boat was already enough for us to declare victory. I was very much inspired by the challenge and look forward to future events with Xpert Learning. I will not consider us as a loser but a winner since we were the 4^th team to cross the finish line!”

DharamVeer Sood, Assistant Manager at Rivoli Group, took a philosophical stance when asked how his experience about the event was. “Like the wise Panda would’ve said, the dragon boat event was AWESOMENESS! It’s the most fun I have had doing anything ‘official’, thanks to the Xpert Learning Team and the rest of the e-learning (boat) team!”

Teng Chin Huat, ex-Project Manager at LCL Interiors, was full of emotions at the event. “I was born in Penang, a state in Malaysia where Dragon Boat is very famous. Nevertheless, it took me around the world and out of the state to experience the 1^st Dragon Boat ride of my life...How awesome! I enjoyed the experience. Hope that we can do it again next time...and get the trophy home,” declared Teng.

Janet Luu, Shop Designer at Al Tayer, was full of praise for the Xpert Learning team. “It was a great experience racing with the Xpert Learning team. I met a fantastic group of people,” said Janet.

Ailyn Mapa, Administrator at Axiom Telecom, echoed Janet’s thoughts. “Thank you for that wonderful opportunity…knowing you is a kind of a victory in itself… nice meeting you all,” said Ailyn, who gave the team an ‘extra edge’ with her extra burst of energy.

Zerses Dubash, Group Marketing Manager at Reach International, gave a very extended and amazing feedback about the event. “I would start by thanking all you wonderful people for the beautiful time that we had together for this event. Indeed, it was an event and a sport where the meaning of teamwork, literally has to get implemented. On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoyed all the moments and the entire course of the event. A special mention and thanks to the Xpert Learning team for including me within the event as your one of your own members”.

He further added: “A special mention to Paul for his timely humorous spells and energy that kept us giggling and in smiles all the time.The entire team was filled with enthusiasm and ready to go and once we were in the boat, there was no looking back. And then we started rowing the "e-learning boat" (as Paul would say). All that matters is that we gave in all our best, thoroughly enjoyed the entire bit of this experience and at the end of the day, participation is the first step to victory. So I can very well say that we have cleared the first step and slowly and steadily, with a XPERT team like Xpert Learning, victory is within reach”.

All in all, the Dragon Boat event was a huge success and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who participated and came to watch. Being a sport that is all about positive team spirit, being healthy, making friends and having fun, it truly lived up to its characteristics and most importantly, to everyone’s expectations.

Xpert Learning invited to speak at UNESCO event in Paris

Paris, March 15, 2010. Xpert Learning was invited to speak with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at their Headquarters in Paris, France. In an audience that included the Director General for Communication and the Chief for ICT in Education, Science and Culture, Xpert Learning’s representative, William Spindloe, spoke about the cultural, geographical and technological challenges that e-Learning faces across regions such as the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Mr. Spindloe also emphasized on the impact that access to this form of education can bring to Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and Communities.

“UNESCO advised us that they look to talk with regional industry leaders in the field of Learning and Development to gauge how best to implement and manage education projects going forward. On this occasion, Xpert Learning was chosen to provide an insight into the ins and outs of implementing e-Learning in the Middle East and Asia”, said Mr. Spindloe.

For further details on the UNESCO event, please contact Mr. Spindloe via william.spindloe@xpertlearning.com.