WAM Dubai, April 18th, 2012 (WAM) -- Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), will highlight the need for academic institutions to meet the growing demand for skilled workforce from the technical, scientific and engineering sectors, during its participation at the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition 2012 (GETEX).

DIAC will mark its sixth consecutive participation as a support sponsor of GETEX 2012, which is organized by International Conferences and Exhibitions (ICE). GETEX, the region's leading conference and exhibition for career progression and professional development, is scheduled to be held from 19-21 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, TECOM Investments' Education Cluster, will address the Excellence in Engineering Forum on the topic �The UAE's Technical and Industrial Sector's Demands and Expectations'. The forum aims to connect new graduates and final year students with academia from specialized schools, as well as entrepreneurs, management executives and consultants.

Dr Kazim said: "The education sector in the UAE has come a long way over the past decade and is regarded a benchmark of success in the region. To ensure it continues to shape a competitive workforce each year, it is imperative that educational programmes are aligned with the growing needs of specialised sectors, particularly technical, scientific and engineering, if we are to truly drive the country's future economy." Martin Prince, Registrar, the British University in Dubai (BUiD), an academic partner of DIAC, said: "The university will officially launch the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research accredited Doctorate programme in Project Management. It will also roll out a Master's course in Construction Management at GETEX 2012, to address the demands and challenges for the research-based development of the UAE's professional and intellectual cadres." Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions, said: "Dubai International Academic City remains a significant strategic partner for us. DIAC's continued support has been crucial in reaffirming the status of GETEX as the Middle East's leading education, training and professional development event. We will continue to work closely with DIAC and other key stakeholders of the academic sector to pursue our shared objective of cultivating a culture of excellence in the delivery of education in the region and positioning Dubai as a destination of choice for higher education." WAM/AM