The three-day event unfolds against a backdrop of growing opportunities for international schools and suppliers in the Middle East 

Dubai, Nov 12, 2024: Educators from across the GCC have gathered in Dubai for the three-day GESS Dubai 2024 exhibition and conference, which kicked off today at the World Trade Centre. 

The 17th edition of Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai is expected to showcase major advancements in edtech solutions with an emphasis on gaming and student well-being.  

The region is witnessing significant growth within the education sector, with a growing number of international schools and reforms.  

According to data compiled by ISC Research, international schools in the GCC have risen to 1,653 – a 6.5% increase from 2023 – and continue to grow due to increasing globalisation, expatriate mobility and a growing demand for high-quality, culturally diverse and internationally recognised education. 

The GCC edtech market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.12% from 2024 to 2030.  The strong participation at this year’s event reflects the growing trend, with more than 350 brands from across 40 countries in attendance.   

Leading exhibitors are participating through dedicated country pavilions, led by representations from China, the UK, Korea and Germany. 

British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) and the Department of Business and Trade are hosting the UK Pavilion at GESS Dubai, with 39 companies on BESA’s stand. In the UK Pavilion, suppliers range from educational AI to machine tools and workshop equipment. 

“We continue to partner with GESS Dubai because of the high quality of attendees, offering exhibiting companies unrivalled access to senior decision makers from international and local schools, as well as Ministers and government contacts from across the UAE,” says Julia Garvey, Acting Director General, BESA. 

Gaming takes centerstage this year, with a dedicated area allocated to showcase gaming in education. The pavilion, sponsored by HP Gaming Garage, will also showcase suppliers in gamification, game-based learning, esports and game design.    

Major brands such as LG Electronics and Google are also present to display their latest advancements and solutions within the education space.   

Among the major highlights are the workshops and seminars being held at the GESS Talks Stage, Leaders in Education Conference, Sustainability and Wellbeing Hub and the special Workshop Space.  

Major topics being covered on the first day include the future of curriculum design with regard to AI integration, tips on how to integrate gaming into education; how immersive technologies and gamification are revolutionising architecture and design education by enhancing engagement, motivation and learning outcomes; and a discussion addressing the apparent decrease in student creativity, imagination and general literacy skills in a world reliant on technology.  

A strong emphasis is also being placed on teacher and student well-being, with various talks and discussions focusing on the crucial aspects of well-being policies, identifying burnout signals and crafting effective personal strategies.   

Clare Rawlings, Founder of Raw Movement says GESS presents a fantastic platform to delve into the latest innovations in education and well-being of teachers.   

“We know that most teachers are suffering with musculoskeletal pain every day; it’s impacting their mental health, their ability to do their job well, and it’s preventing them from having a good quality of life,” she says.   

At GESS we will be sending the message out to everyone to come and find us, connect with us and start their journey to better physical well-being, says Rawlings. “Our mission is to promote the benefits of good physical well-being through movement education for primarily educators and the whole school community,” she adds.

Therapix, an Artificial Intelligence-enabled platform offering evidence-based therapeutic strategies for children and adolescents, is showcasing its services at GESS.

Founder and CEO Banu Balaji says, “We are harnessing AI to design and develop a platform to help parents, carers and teachers of children of determination.”  

Upschool.co, an online learning platform for students and teachers, says it is introducing Superpower Teachers, its latest service designed to support teachers to cater to a wide range of learning needs.  

“We want to give teachers the tools they need to make learning accessible and empowering for every child in their classroom, so every student feels they belong and have something valuable to contribute,” says Gavin McCormack, Co-founder, Upschool.   

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s GESS Dubai. It’s always such a great opportunity to connect with educators and school leaders who, like us, believe in a real-world approach to education,” adds McCormack.   

Denise Gosney, Founder, Razzamataz Theatre Schools says it is emphasising on why performing arts should be an essential part of the curriculum in progressive educational environments and showcasing impactful stories from its students through live performance, discussion panels.  

“Our students will be showcasing their talents in a live performance, illustrating how Razzamataz Theatre Schools has influenced their lives and career prospects in meaningful ways. These stories highlight the unique benefits of a performing arts education in developing crucial skills for the future, and we are keen to share with GESS visitors why we believe that now is the right time for Razzamataz to bring our expertise to Dubai and the Middle East,” she says.   

“We’re also keen to connect with educational leaders to explore collaboration opportunities, where we can bring our know-how directly into schools. We’re especially interested in learning more about the specific needs in the Middle East regarding performing arts education so we can tailor our approach to support local objectives,” she adds.