Premier Bracks opens ACER Dubai office

MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 10 March 2004 Premier Bracks opens ACER Dubai office Victorian Premier Steve Bracks opened the Dubai branch office of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) today in Dubai’s Knowledge Village. Noel Campbell, Ambassador of Australia to the UAE and Qatar was also in attendance. Dubai is ACER’s first overseas office. Its objective is to establish ACER as the leading provider of educational research and assessment services in the Middle East region. The opening of the Dubai office follows a resolution by the ACER board of directors to develop its services in the Middle East with the development of an international testing instrument suitable for the region. ACER has been working with the UAE Ministry of Education and Youth to develop a national assessment program for government schools and was encouraged by the Ministry to open a branch office in the UAE. A major project to be managed out of the Dubai office involves the development and administration of the Global Achieve Tests. The tests are developed by research staff with significant experience in the development of international test instruments. The program consists of pencil and paper tests for students in Classes 3 to 12 in English, Mathematics and Science. The tests are designed to measure a student’s performance in the generic skills that underpin the teaching of these core subjects across the globe. Global Achieve provides schools, students and parents with a comprehensive assessment of student performance in a range of subjects. Other Dubai-based activities will include conducting contracted research in education in the Gulf States, conducting training programs and workshops for education professionals and marketing of a wide range of ACER products and services. ACER appointed Mr Alan Egbert to the position of office Manager, ACER Dubai in February. ****************ENDS*************