ACER signs multi million dollar UAE test development contract

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release: Thursday 22 July 2004 ACER signs multi million dollar UAE test development contract The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has signed a multi million dollar deal to develop aptitude testing for higher education selection in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A Memorandum of Understanding between ACER and the UAE Ministry of Education and Youth was officially signed in Dubai on 7 July when ACER’s Research Director, System and School Testing, Professor Jim Tognolini met with the Minister for Education and Youth, H.E. Dr. Ali Abdul Aziz Al Sharhan. ACER’s chief executive Professor Geoff Masters said the project would involve staff from ACER working collaboratively with the Ministry to develop a new approach to university selection for the UAE. “It will build on ACER’s considerable experience in the development of aptitude and selection testing programs,” he said. The project will commence in September 2004 and the first administration of the new test will take place in 2008. Professor Masters said ACER had faced major competition from much larger US companies for the contract. The contract is the second that ACER is undertaking in the UAE. ACER is also working with the UAE Ministry’s Centre for Educational Measurement and Evaluation (CETME) for the development and implementation of the National Assessment of Student Achievement and Progress (NASAP). Work has recently commenced on a contract for the second cycle of NASAP. In addition, a new program of Maths and English assessments for private schools will commence in November with schools across the Gulf region taking part. ACER opened an office in Dubai in March 2004 to facilitate its business dealings in the Middle East region. ****************ENDS*************