JNA Jan/ Feb 2021

MARKET INTELLIGENCE 54 | JNA Jan/Feb 2021 EDUCATIONAL AND DIGITAL INNOVATION AT GIA革新教育和數碼概念 GIA | Bernardette Sto. Domingo 杜明高 | The Gemological Institute of America is turning challenges to opportunities in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Education, digitalisation and technology are at the forefront of such endeavours. 在新冠疫情的籠罩下，美國寶石研究院正積極尋求方案轉危為機。教育、數 碼化和科技都是努力革新的前沿方向。 T he Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is offering enhanced education, content, technology and traceability services in response to a new future, redefined by coronavirus-led changes in the way business is done. The institute unveiled significant initiatives at a webinar, GIA Knowledge Session Special Edition: Looking into the Future, on October 27, 2020 as part of the Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community programme for Informa Markets Jewellery’s virtual event, Jewellery & Gem Digital World. Speakers were GIA officials Susan Jacques, president and CEO; Mark Buntz, chief marketing officer; Nellie Barnett, PR and media relations manager; and Cathryn Ramirez, director of Global Business Development. Education According to Jacques, the gemstone and jewellery industry is at a critical turning point, with disruptive changes already taking place pre-pandemic. The crisis ushered in a new normal faster than anticipated and with this sudden shift comes the need to widen perspectives. Optimism is also key to sustaining business confidence and resiliency. “The human desire to celebrate life's moments with gifts of gems and jewellery, which predates the pandemic by millennia, will outlast Covid- 19 well into the future,” she noted. “In these times of extraordinary challenge, we see a great opportunity to adapt, transform and lead.” GIA is expanding its foothold in China, citing the massive potential of online learning there. As such, the institute is extending the range and frequency of its Chinese-language distance education courses through its schools in Hong Kong and Taiwan, along with sponsor schools in Shenzhen and Shanghai. From this year, GIA will convert its Applied Jewelry Professional course into Chinese-language e-learning while the first part of Graduate Gemologist, diamonds and diamond grading will follow in 2022. “The number of GIA alumni from China is second only to the US. We are incredibly proud of this, and we look