Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 52 | Page 9

NEWS University selects Blackboard Open LMS to support online teaching Arab Emirates, selected Blackboard Open LMS for its increased stability, security and accessibility. Blackboard Open LMS provides a strong, open source foundation for competency-based blended, online and professional learning to drive institutional effectiveness. It is a multiplatform, customisable and intuitive solution, focused on users. KIC will leverage these features to provide a reliable teaching and learning infrastructure for its students, as well as support the mobile connectivity needs of its tech-savvy student population. B lackboard, a leading education technology company for teaching, learning and student engagement, has announced that Khawarizmi International College (KIC) in Abu Dhabi has switched to Blackboard Open LMS, the company’s cloud open- source based learning management system (LMS). The university, one of the first private higher education institutions in the United “We selected Open LMS for its stable and flexible cloud environment that can easily and efficiently scale up to meet our evolving needs,” said Dr Assem Al-Hajj, CEO and President at Khawarizmi International College. “We believe its mobile, responsive design will enhance interaction between our students and our faculty members, as well as boost student engagement and performance. With the United Arab Emirates’ move towards easily-accessible learning systems and the new standards of CAA that support e-learning provision, KIC felt compelled to take active and immediate steps towards that direction.” ///////////////// Dubai Free Zone Council to boost Dubai E-commerce Strategy awareness at Seamless Middle East 2020 D ubai Free Zone Council (DFZC) has announced it will be participating as strategic partner of Seamless Middle East 2020. This is the region’s multi- brand exhibition covering payments, fintech, e-commerce, retail, insurtech and identity. Seamless Middle East, now on its 20th year, is one of the largest and longest running global fintech and e-commerce industry events, expecting more than 12,000 participants from around the world. It is set to bring over 500 exhibitors and speakers to showcase and discuss the latest innovation in these industries and related fields. The event will take place at the Dubai Trade Centre on March 25 to 26. Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Secretary General of DFZC, said: “Dubai Free www.intelligentcio.com Zone Council has always placed its support to the growth of e-commerce from the policy level and in various initiatives that promote its growth. “Seamless Middle East 2020 presents an essential platform for regional and global companies to know more about Dubai’s strategic advantages as a global logistics hub for e-commerce. The opportunities are huge as we have witnessed in the successes of homegrown e-commerce brands that have now global presence.” Dr Al Zarooni emphasised the importance of supporting the Dubai E-commerce Strategy, as it is part of its role to represent and promote the various offerings of free zone members, which are highly supportive of the ever- growing e-commerce sector. Dr Mohamed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA INTELLIGENTCIO 9