UBM Partners with the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training to Produce iCampus, the First Digital University in Middle East

CHICAGO and LONDON, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM Built Environment's Client Solutions and UBM Studios today announced that they are partnering with the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) to produce iCampus, the first hybrid digital learning institution in the Middle East.   iCampus was created using a custom eLearning solution from UBM Studios, a global leader in interactive digital events, environments and communities transforming the way audiences connect, educate and engage.

Featuring the city of Abu Dhabi, iCampus is an interactive environment that offers world-class technical and vocational education.  iCampus, which replicates a collegiate 'look and feel,' allows students to investigate, experiment, collaborate, share and learn about technical and vocational careers.  The Emirates Skills campus, the first of four intelligent campuses, opened in November 2011 during the NAJAH career exhibition in Abu Dhabi.  The additional campuses -- High Schools, Academies and the Emirates Knowledge Institute -- will open progressively over the next few months.

The Emirates Skills campus offers students access to educational resources for the industrial trades and service sectors, the Emirates Skills National Competition and the GCC Skills and World Skills.  The campus consists of the Skills Cafe for networking; the Skills Arena for presentations and videos; the Training Centre for classes and training sessions; the Skills Village offers information on 17 technical and vocational skills such as IT Network Systems Administration, Welding and Jewellery; and the Emirates Skills Blog Center which connects students with peers, tutors and faculty specialists. 

We are delighted to partner with ACTVET to create a collaborative community to enhance the learning experience of students in the United Arab Emirates.  Together we created a custom online training and education environment that herald a new and exciting era for our digital technology," said Richard O'Connor, Group Client Solutions Director, UBM Built Environment Client Solutions.  "We look forward to building a lasting and successful relationship with ACTVET."

"Technology is rapidly redefining the world of learning. We want the UAE to be at the forefront of this digital learning revolution and to provide learning and training opportunities in Technical and Vocational Education to learners in Abu Dhabi and more widely in the Middle East," said Mubarak Al Shamisi, Deputy Director General of ACTVET.

Mohamed Maladwala, Director of Planning & Development at ACTVET, said, "Working with UBM's teams in both in the UK and the US has been very rewarding with all parties constantly looking to push the boundaries of the technology platform to create a powerful and intuitive information and learning solution."

UBM Studios leads the industry in world-class user engagement for digital events, digital environments and communities.  UBM offers a complete virtual environment solution as a Marketing-as-a-Service (MaaS), from the production and creation of digital environments to the content development, recruitment, custom creative development and the management of audiences within the digital environment. 

For additional information on UBM Studios, contact Max Gerstein at 773 687 4317 or [email protected].

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About the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET)(www.actvet.ac.ae)

The Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) was established by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council in 2010 to preside over Technical and Vocational training in the Emirate. ACTVET's commitment is to set policies and standards in order to regulate Technical and Vocational Educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Our ultimate goal is increasing the number of skilled Emirati youth in rewarding employment who have opportunities for life-long learning and personal development.

In addition to regulating Technical and Vocational Education Institutions, ACTVET is also responsible for the licensing of vocational and technical trainers and tutors that meet the demands of our local market; providing guidance and assistance to the Abu Dhabi government and private institutions in matters related to technical and vocational education and training; undertaking original educational research in co-ordination with Abu Dhabi Education Council and the development of strategies and mutually beneficial partnerships with public and private education and training institutes.

UBM Built Environment Client Solutions

UBM Built Environment Client Solutions creates bespoke marketing solutions for its clients.  Through a consultative approach as well as market leading print, live and digital platforms, UBM Built Environment Client Solutions provides its clients with unique access to key decision makers in variety of markets.  UBM Built Environment Client Solutions delivers an exceptional return on investment for its multi-platform solutions. 

About UBM Studios (www.ubmstudios.com)

UBM Studios is a global leader in interactive digital events, digital environments and communities transforming the way audiences connect, educate and engage.  UBM Studios offers a complete global marketing service from content and audience to creative and analytics creating world-class user engagement. For additional information on UBM Studios, visit www.ubmstudios.com.

About UBM LLC

UBM LLC is a leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

SOURCE UBM Studios; UBM Built Environment Client Solutions