Visit a classroom anywhere in the world today, and the ways of learning will appear very different to those of past generations. Curriculums are being adapted to integrate technology, and students picking up the pace, with their augmented digital literacy skills. Behind the scenes, massive shifts are underway, as educational institutions are working tirelessly to enhance course material and offer more personalized learning experiences to students, by unlocking the power of AI.
CME, a multinational enterprise offering premium end-to-end technology solutions and services is leveraging its successful track record, and has acquired Augmental, an AI-powered, white-labeled learning platform that empowers educational institutions and course creators, to transform the education sector.
We had a chat with Wissam Youssef, CEO of CME Offshore, to learn about the company’s latest acquisition of EdTech innovator, Augmental, and how this synergy will elevate education to new heights.
BDD: Can you tell us a bit about CME’s acquisition of Augmental?
WY: We have always held the education sector in high regard. For us, it’s a strategic sector that allows us to make meaningful contributions to society and the knowledge economy. Fusing the right technology with education opens greater learning opportunities and brings all stakeholders in learning settings closer together.
In May 2024, we announced the acquisition of Augmental, an Edtech company that developed an AI-powered learning solution. It is a SaaS platform catered to educational institutions and course creators that offers personalized learning experiences, intelligent content creation, and insightful analytics.
Combining CME’s advanced tech capabilities, enterprise-level educational solutions, and network of partners, with Augmental’s education sector knowledge and innovative thinking, this acquisition is set to shake up the learning landscape. It will first result in the creation of a comprehensive suite of advanced educational tools and services that aims to optimize the digital experiences for all stakeholders, i.e. learners, educators and administrators.
Beyond the business benefits, we could not be happier to welcome aboard Augmental founders and leaders Paul Barakat Diab and Elie Nahas. Their dedication and creative mindset are truly inspiring, and we are highly looking forward to working closely with them for the betterment of the future of learning.
BDD: What can we expect to see because of this acquisition?
WY: Our higher-level aim is to position digital transformation at the forefront of education. Zooming in, this partnership will drastically improve educational access and effectiveness as well as address the diverse needs of learners on both a regional and global scale.
On a practical level, Augmental gets to benefit immensely from our tech ecosystem to enhance its current and future offerings. Also, existing organizations using CME technologies can leverage Augmental’s AI-powered Learning Management System (LMS), while companies and training institutions using Augmental’s LMS will be able to expand their tech stack with CME’s solutions.
BDD: How will learners benefit from this synergy?
WY: Both CME and Augmental, are well-versed in the latest shifts in education and the emerging needs of learners all over the world. That is why our solutions are designed with personalization, gamification, and engaging experiences in mind, making learning more interactive and accessible. Furthermore, to raise learning outcomes, we are also tackling adaptive learning environments that cater to individual learners’ needs. On top of all of that, we are providing educators with top-tier analytics that help them effectively track progress and customize course material. We believe that this mix of hyper-personalization and data will be the foundation of a new, highly dynamic, and agile learning system.
BDD: Why did CME choose to venture deeper into the education sector now?
WY: The education sector today is in constant motion. It is evolving in big strides, and that is thanks to technology.
CME, always involved in the advancement of digital experiences, is no stranger to the education sector. Our Student Information Systen (SIS) has received high praise from higher education institutes thanks to its ease of integration, human-focus design and data-driven features. However, to expand our scope beyond management processes, we looked at Augmental. They already had a well-rounded AI-powered LMS. Putting it together with our SIS under one big suite will result in an all-inclusive solution that handles all needs of education institutes and learning material creators. Needless to say, this acquisition is going to be an interesting chapter in our portfolio, one that will undoubtedly yield great results for us and the education sector.
BDD: Are there any success stories that you can share?
WY: Back in 2021, we partnered with USJ, one of the region’s most prestigious universities, and created a comprehensive Student Information System (SIS) from the ground up that aims to streamline academic operations for administrative staff, faculty, and students. In usual CME fashion, user experience was front and center during the development phase, ensuring seamless journeys for all targeted personas.
The integrable and cloud-based nature of the SIS enables it to adjust fluidly to various education systems, languages, zones, campuses, and calendars. That’s why, in a short period of time, everybody on campus was well acquainted with the SIS and very pleased with its ease of use, scalability, and customizability. Processes like managing programs and courses, defining cohorts, controlling buildings and floors, scheduling with smart timetabling, and gathering meaningful data were basically redefined and can be accessed and performed effortlessly.
Today, more than 12,000 students, 2000 instructors and administrative staff spread over 35 faculties use SIS on a daily basis.
To learn more about CME and its offerings, visit: https://www.gotocme.com/
