JEDDAH, 20 February 2004 — Effat College is organizing a symposium to help teachers prepare their students for the job market. The Second Annual Learning and Technology Symposium will be held from March 2-4 at the Jeddah Hilton with the theme “Technology: The Way to Global Learning.”
Princess Norah bint Turki Al-Faisal, assistant vice chairwoman of the board of trustees and general supervisor of Effat College, introduced the goals of the symposium on behalf of Vice Chairwoman Princess Lolowah Al-Faisal at a press conference yesterday.
As part of its commitment to providing professional development opportunities for the community, the college has designed the conference for teachers, educational policymakers, e-learning specialists and educational administrators at all levels.
The goal is to help educators enhance their skills so they can prepare students for the workplace and also raise public awareness of the importance of educational technology. “The seminars and workshops will focus on making our students global learners up to international standards by introducing teachers and administrators to the scientific methods of e-learning,” said Dr. Haifa Jamal Allail, the dean of the college.
The keynote speaker on opening day will be Suad Al-Juffali. Under the patronage of Princess Lolowah Al-Faisal, the symposium will consist of interactive presentations, workshops and panel discussions by international and local experts in the field of educational technology. A learning and technology products and services exhibition will run alongside the symposium.
Most of those registered to attend are from schools, especially private schools, said Dr. Haifa. “We (also) hope to collaborate with public schools in training and developing the skills of teachers and students so that they are ready for college,” she added.
Effat College has a preparatory program for students to bring them up to the required standard in English and computer skills. Some reporters at the press conference asked why English is the language of instruction at the college and at the symposium. Princess Norah said the college wants to prepare students for the job market not only in Saudi Arabia but anywhere in the world.
Effat College has signed an agreement for student exchange with Wilson University, Pennsylvania.
