The Middle East eLearning Association
Dubai (UAE), April 2010 - In February, Hamdan Bin Mohammed eUniversity launched the Middle East eLearning Association (MEEA). It is a regional independent, non-political, non-profit association established for the purpose of providing innovative open educational practices and promoting quality, innovation, and transparency in higher and continuing education.
The MEEA further aims to develop policies, procedures, and practices with respect to the design, development, and implementation of eLearning curricula. It has an ambitious vision of achieving several activities in the region, which include networking and information sharing, strategy and policy development, quality assurance framework development.
Also foreseen are the establishment of awards to recognize excellence in various practices of eLearning, as well as research and dissemination of research outcomes through publishing reports, newsletters, and articles in journals and professional magazines and other means.
MEEA has been privileged to receive support from numerous international organizations, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Common Wealth of Learning (COL), the Swiss Centre for Innovations and Learning (scil), EDUCAUSE, the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG), the European Distance Education Network (EDEN), The International ELearning Association (IELA), and the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). The institution is committed to establishing further international relationships.
From the very beginning of its launch, MEEA was able to attract members from different countries including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Palestine, Jordan, and Malaysia.
MEEA publishes a periodic newsletter that highlights news, activities, and initiatives undertaken by the association as well as those of its members. The newsletter also plans to feature articles, columns, and case studies to be shared. All members of MEEA, including the international honorary ones, are strongly encouraged to contribute to the newsletter.