Picture this: you are strolling through the bustling exhibitor halls of Bett UK 2024, surrounded by the latest innovations in educational technology. As you navigate the crowd, engrossed in conversation with colleagues or scanning the stands for new tech, something magic happens! Maybe it's a spontaneous meeting with an old friend, a scheduled connection with an exhibitor or an encounter with a thought-leader that leaves you feeling inspired. In-person networking at Bett has a unique way of shaping our experiences, sparking connections and igniting new possibilities. In this series of blogs, we'll delve into the stories of Bett UK 2024 and how, as a community, we are making education #BetterTogether 

One such encounter happened on Day Two of Bett 2024 with Sheraz Gul - Head of Drug Screening & Compound Repurposing at Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine & Pharmacology. Before arriving at the ExCeL, Sheraz hadn't registered to attend Bett 2024 - in fact, he had never even heard of it. Originally at the ExCeL for the festival of Genomics & Biodata, he spoke to us about why he ended up getting a ticket right there and then - what a fantastic twist of fate! 

“The wide range of innovative EdTech visible in the halls, plus the vast international audience of all ages caught my attention.” Sheraz Gul

As someone immersed in the medical field, Sheraz is well acquainted with academia and is always interested in pushing the boundaries of technology within education. Seeing the pivotal role technology plays in shaping education for future scientists, he emphasised the immense power of equipping young minds for the challenges of the real world, and how events like Bett are fundamental in making this happen. 

“Bettering the use of technology within education will lead to more high-tech discoveries and advancements for the future of medicine. The EdTech on display at Bett 2024 was really exciting as I could see real-life examples of tools and skills that could be transferred into the teaching of STEM subjects.” Sheraz Gul

During his short but fruitful time at the show, Sheraz got a chance to explore the extensive array of exhibitors showcasing their cutting-edge technologies. Particularly drawn to Esports at Bett, he witnessed the significance of experiential learning, observing students deeply engaged with the technology in real time. As anyone who’s ever attended Bett knows, there’s always time for fun and where better to find it than in the exhibitor hall? Sheraz grabbed the opportunity to get hands-on with tech when he spotted the Formula 1 simulation machine and had to have a go! 

Having attended various conferences, both virtually and in person, Sheraz was pleasantly surprised at the huge turnout and in particular, the international audience in attendance. 

“With online events tending to attract a broader global audience, I was pleasantly surprised at the significant presence of international attendees at Bett 2024.” Sheraz Gul

With over 120 countries represented, we are always proud to gather diverse perspectives and geographical backgrounds under one roof for the biggest week in education! This is part of  what makes Bett a truly unique event for attendees, exhibitors and even passersby like Sheraz. First impressions are really valuable for us as we work to plan next year’s show. When we speak to attendees, we often ask them what they enjoyed about Bett 2024 and for Sheraz it was the following…

“How we educate the students of today will directly impact the workforce of tomorrow. As Bett works with the global education community to add more technology into the classroom, we should see a powerful impact on the overall learning experience and in return, accelerate the potential for medical discoveries and advancements in the future. I intend to participate in future Bett events in order to stay updated on EdTech trends and innovations.”  Sheraz Gul

It’s amazing how one short conversation can lead to new and exciting connections with the power to make education #BetterTogether We want to continue telling your stories from Bett over the years, so if you'd like to be featured in a future article, we'd LOVE to hear from you!