Targeting regional educational bodies, the company will highlight the importance of 'Energy Core Competence' as a rapidly emerging technology to young Arab engineers at GESS - a major new initiative for the regional education sector to be held at the Madinat Jumeirah Dubai from 22-24 January, 2008.

'Although oil is a significant factor contributing to the economic development of a majority GCC nations, there is a growing need for educational institutions, the world over to academically promote alternate emerging technologies such as energy systems,' said Dr. Claus Fischer, Sales Director Asia & Middle East, Heliocentris Energiesysteme GmbH.

'Interest in new energy has already risen tremendously in America, Europe and Asia which, in turn, has led to fuel cell training systems being included in existing curricula."

'We feel that young Arab engineers should also experience the benefits of emerging energy technology systems and are through our participation at focused forums such as GESS, we look to educate key decision-makers from GCC-based knowledge and research entities to introduce it in their syllabi.'

At GESS, Heliocentris will conduct live demonstrations and present a seminar on solar hydrogen and fuel cell training systems with practical experiments. The company also plans to launch its water and hydrogen operated model car.

'The regional energy sector is progressing exponentially and this has led to high demand for local human capital to ensure diversified industry growth in keeping with sustainability and environmental protection norms,' said Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E.

'A number of GCC governments have already begun investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and trained professionals to meet requirements for future energy systems. With GESS, we look forward to welcoming market leaders such as Heliocentris and help them, through their world class offerings, position the GCC region among the world's top centres for future energy systems training.'

A major new dual-pronged B2B initiative for the regional education sector - GESS and Global Education Forum (GEF) - has the official support of the UAE Ministtry of Education.

Consultants and advisors will also be on hand at GESS to advise and assist schools on budget management, planning and training.

Planned GESS session topics include: delivering school improvement through effective use of management information; the UAE perspective on special educational needs; the UK's perspective on special educational needs and disability; EPICT licence - essential training and certification for today's teachers; Web 2.0 for the 21st century school; innovative approaches to early mathematics education; creating a positive playground through games and activities; interactive high school/secondary science, as well as integrating brain-based learning in the primary classroom.