Trainers

** Dr John Turner ** Dr. John Turner is currently Information Technology Facilitator at Qatar Academy. He has been actively involved in a long list of international projects related to e-Education. The list includes: the implementation of 1:1 laptop programs, the facilitation of Web 2 Virtual Learning environments, the coordination of ThinkLab ([]), teacher digital learning programs, and the development of student e-Portfolios. Dr John is also Board Member of the internationally well-known ‘Flat Classroom Project’ ([]) and the Middle East Chairperson of the ‘Global Education Conference’ ([]). Prior to his work at Qatar Academy, he has been a teacher, consultant and Research Fellow in Australia.
 * __ The English-speaking trainers are: __**

Bijan Esfahani Bijan Esfahani, is an information scientist and holds the position of Library Director at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and is a full-time librarian faculty member. He has 10 years of experience in teaching information science and information literacy. For the past 18 years, he has worked in government, academic, and non-profit organizations, providing resources and services in support of research and information needs. Prior to joining Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, he served as the Information Services Manager at the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, where he designed and delivered course liaison activities and information literacy content for the medical students, as well as workshops on evidence-based medicine and information research for residents at Hamad Medical Corporation. He led in the vision and creation of the Library’s strategic plan, with the central theme of transcending space and place to deliver services and resources.

**__ The Arabic-speaking trainers are: __** ** Mohamed Said al Alfy ** Mohamed Said, who is holding now the position of Academic Vice Principal of Ali Ibn Abi Taleb Independent School, has been certified as Master Trainer by the Supreme Education Council, and the Canadian Global Center. He has been training teachers of Independent Schools to understand, implement and apply the Curriculum Standards and to integrate ICT in their lesson plans for the last two years. He was in charge of mentoring, coaching and training teachers at Ali Ibn Abi Taleb School while holding the position of Professional Development Coordinator during the academic year 2009-2010. Prior to his experience in Independent Schools he worked as English Language Lecturer at Cairo University, as a translator and freelance editor.

** Mona Younes ** Mona Younes, who is working currently as Senior eLearning Specialist at ictQATAR, is holding a Master Degree in Online Education from the University of Southern Queensland. She is also holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Online Education and has done research related to e-Education in the Arab World. Prior to her work at ictQATAR she has been working as Managing Editor of the Teachers Network, an online portal addressing teachers within the State of Qatar, run by the Supreme Council of Education. She was also in charge of supporting Independent Schools with their Professional Development. This included training related to the use of ICT in education. Prior to her work in Qatar, Mona founded and managed the Online Training Unit of well-known bilingual website IslamOnline.net. She was in charge to plan for, manage and moderate online courses addressing adults and focusing on general ‘Life Skills’. Mona has been a presenter in a long list of international conferences, all related to Education in general and the use of ICT in Education in particular. She has a 14 year long teaching experience.