Jonathan Renaudon-Smith, IB Head of Professional Development AEM Region and Mary Tadros, IB Regional Manager AEM visited MEIBA members on 19 September 2012 in Dubai. This visit was to dialogue about enhancing PD opportunities for IB schools in the Middle East.

Those present at this meeting were Poonam Bhojani -President MEIBA, Julian Williams - ¬Principal Raffles World Academy, Jon Halligan - IB Coordinator Jumeirah English Speaking School, Pratibha Rao - Secondary School Principal Dubai International Academy, Julian Wilcock - Elementary School Principal Dubai International Academy, Tim Richardson - Elementary School Deputy Principal Dubai International Academy, Sheugnet Carter - DP Coordinator Dubai International Academy, Eleanor Scarr - MYP Coordinator Dubai International Academy, Lisa Gibson - PYP Coordinator Dubai International Academy.

Front (L-R): Sheugnet Carter, Tim Richardson, Julian Williams, Poonam Bhojani, Jon Halligan, Mary Tadros, Julian Wilcock, Jonathan Renaudon-Smith, Lisa Gibson, Pratibha Rao

On Thursday, 6th September, Mr. Jeffry Beard, Director General of the IB and Ms. Theresa Forbes, IB Head of Regional Development, visited Dubai to sign a strategic partnership agreement with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Mr. Beard and Ms. Forbes were welcomed by Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors at KHDA, and other senior KHDA personnel. Also invited were representatives of local IB schools.

Prior to the official signing there was discussion about the challenges and successes of IB schools in the region. The new IBCC programme and the possibility of collaborative school-based syllabi to meet regional requirements were discussed as were future opportunities for the IB in the Higher Education and Early Years sectors.

Also discussed was the way in which the strategic partnership will strengthen the voice of IB schools in the region and will support schools undergoing inspection by providing representation from the IB during inspections of IB schools.

Dr. Al Karam said "IB offers a challenging curriculum that produces engaged, discerning graduates ready to contribute to the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 and UAE vision 2021."

IB & KHDA agreement - Gulf News Article

On 23 January 2012, Ake Sorman, IB Regional Head of Development as well as Ms. Theresa Forbes, IB Head of Regional Development met with MEIBA representatives to discuss activities related to MEIBA.

(L-R) David Impey, Lisa Gibson, Poonam Bhojani, Ake Sorman, Theresa Forbes, Julian Wilcock, Eleanor Scarr, Sheugnet Carter, Pratibha Rao, Julian Williams.