Region’s digital investments climb 70% by 2016

Middle East students will have the skills to succeed in the digital economy, as the region’s educational investment in audiovisual technology is set to top USD 600 million by 2016, industry experts announced today.

Governments, schools, and universities in the Middle East are embracing digital technology such as whiteboards, interactive displays and projectors, video collaboration, and distance learning.

The Middle East and Africa educational audiovisual market is set to reach USD 639 million in 2016, a 71 percent increase over USD 373 million in 2012, according to a report by industry association InfoComm International. The organization’s subsidiary InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd. is organizing InfoComm MEA 2015, the region’s leading audiovisual event collocated with Gitex.

In the UAE, education will be the third-largest audiovisual segment by 2016, when spending will cross USD 200 million, according to InfoComm International. “Middle East educational institutions are at the forefront of using interactive audiovisual tools to provide students with the collaborative skills of the digital economy. Whether in large or small groups, collaborative solutions facilitate more engaged learning and easier teaching,” said Swadesh Khetawat, Managing Director of Dubai-based Taxan Gulf FZCO, which distributes audiovisual products in 20 countries.

One standout regional example of audiovisual technology in the classroom is GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis in Dubai, which has installed a 15-foot wide by 5-foot high Prysm Cascade 190 video wall, with a 75 square foot digital canvas.

“Using video walls, Middle East educators and students can share and interact with different types of digital content to facilitate collaborative, online, and blended learning. Thanks to leadership from institutions such as GEMS, the Middle East is enhancing its global leadership in educational innovation,” said Dana Corey, Vice President of Global Sales, Prysm.

To support interactive learning, Middle East educational institutions need back-end switching, monitoring, and control systems and robust network infrastructure to integrate solutions.

Driving educational innovation with technology, exhibitors at InfoComm MEA 2015 will feature audiovisual solutions from more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers from 30 countries.