Under the Patronage of the Minister of Education, His Excellency Dr. Tayseer Al-Nahar Al Noaimi, Microsoft announced the winners of its annual Microsoft Partners in Learning Middle East and Africa Forum, an event that recognizes innovative teachers who creatively and effectively use technology in their curriculum to help improve the way students learn. 
Jordanian Arabic elementary school teacher Suhair Abu Hamad from Um- Kolthoum School took second place in the Knowledge Building category for her ‘A Friend to the Environment’ project. Suhair believes that ICT in early childhood education is a fun way to speak with the students’ minds and elaborate their thinking.
Speaking about her experience at the event Mrs. Suhair Abu Hamad said, “It is our duty to provide the best for our students. Each and every student has a talent and skill, and it is our job as educators to encourage and promote that talent by helping students grow and progress into the best they can be.”
While, Jordanian IT teacher Fatima Al-Alem from Huraima Secondary School took fourth place in the Innovation in Challenging Circumstances category for her ‘Adolescence’ project. Fatima uses modern teaching techniques with her students by integrating ICT in the classroom to make it more interactive and well- structured.
From across Middle East and Africa six teachers took first place, and 15 teachers came in second, third and fourth places within the five project categories. All 21 winners from this regional forum in Jordan, including Suhair and Fatima, will go on to compete at the Partners in Learning Global Forum in Washington DC, USA on 7th November 2011.
This year’s first place winners included Marwa Hussein from Egypt in the Knowledge Building category, and Jinane al Ghoussaini from Lebanon in the Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom category. South African Louise Clarke and Kim Jackson won top place for Collaboration category and Lyneth Crighton, also from South Africa, won the Cutting Edge Use of Technology award. Azhar Youssef from Egypt was the first prize winner in the Innovation in Challenging Circumstances group.
The winners were awarded by a regional jury of educational experts. In addition, the teachers will be submitting group projects from their time at the event. These will be judged and announced online by the 16th of September.
“At the Partners in Learning Middle East and Africa Forum, Microsoft celebrates significant educational achievements which showcase how technology can help young people thrive and grow, preparing them for jobs tomorrow. These amazing teachers are transforming education by using technology as a means to engage their students and to enhance the effectiveness of their teaching,” said James Bernard, World Wide Director for Partners in Learning. “In a region like the Middle East and Africa, where a huge percent of the population are under 25, there is a real need to prioritise education to create a skilled and well-trained workforce, something that is essential for national economic growth. Equipping young people with the right tools, opportunities, knowledge and infrastructure will enable them to create a more bright and hopeful future.”
This years’ annual Microsoft Partners in Learning Middle East and Africa Forum was held in Jordan with more than 200 teachers, school leaders, judges and other educational professionals from more than 25 regional countries in attendance.
“Quality education is not only a basic right but a social imperative. It is the key to economic opportunity, not only for individuals, but for their communities,” said Khalil Abdel Massih, Partners in Learning Manager, Microsoft Middle east and Africa. “Nowadays IT is essential for quality education. IT use is the best way to equip students for success in a competitive world. Microsoft is committed to developing innovative ways to use the power of technology to help transform education and we believe that by sharing the experiences of teachers around the world, we will improve the way we educate and learn.”
Participants at the Partners in Learning Middle East and Africa Forum were selected from preceding competitions at a national level. This year, for the first time in Middle East and Africa, the Forum combined the Middle East and Africa countries.
