Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has signed an agreement with one of the region's leading IT system integrators, ITQAN, to implement a new web portal designed to handle more than 500,000 simultaneous users.

The portal, which is built on Microsoft MOSS technology, will provide browsers access to online information related to educational institutions in the UAE, services, and results of exams, support facilities at institutions and facilities for ministry staff. In addition, the portal would provide a forum for students, teachers, parents and general public to interact with the ministry on issues of mutual concern.

ITQAN is a local systems integrator and application solution provider for major market sectors.

"The new Portal is an initiative within many of the initiatives being taken by the ministry to keep abreast of the progress made by the state in implementation of e-government. The Ministry of Education's new portal will be a primary gateway to information on the ministry and its services. The move to implement this portal is in line with the UAE's progress into the information age," said Mohammad Bin Hindi, Executive Manager of Social and Supportive Services at the ministry.

Badriah Youssuf, Director of Information Technology, at the ministry said the project will be a gateway to the e-government initiative in the UAE as well as one of the first endeavors taken to improve the educational sector by the ministry.

"The ministry portal is a key project currently being implemented with the involvement of all advisory services of Microsoft, Seviko and IT Works. It must be noted that this project is the first of its kind in the world, and is designed in accordance with the structural CEF launched by Microsoft recently. ITQAN will apply its capabilities, experience and the understanding of market needs that it has gained over twenty-four years of existence to serve its customers the best way possible," said Feras Al Jabi, General Manager, ITQAN.