Doha: H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, CEO and Vice- Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday attended the opening of the Third Annual Teaching and Learning Forum at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
The event, organized by the Education Development Institute (EDI), part of QF’s Pre-University Education, was designed to promote professional development and lifelong learning. It aims to provide educators with the opportunity to share knowledge and discuss industry issues, while enhancing the education system by empowering teachers.
In her opening address, Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Executive Director of EDI, Chair of the Teaching and Learning Forum said, “Today’s third edition of EDI’s Teaching and Learning Forum has brought together approximately 1,000 attendants who will benefit from 95 professional workshops,”.
“Bringing together such a large number of experts and teachers, this forum is part of Qatar’s continual development. Not only does the event enhance professional potential, it simultaneously empowers the generation of tomorrow by providing tools to equip teachers with an operational framework to support best practices in Qatar..”
Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in the Lynch School of Education and Professor in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College, delivered the first keynote speech at the opening session.
“With some of the highest educational standards in the region, Qatar is making sustained advances to improve best practices in the classroom,” said Hargreaves.
“This is a testament to the commitment and innovation of the country’s educational system, which also recognises and seeks to address its weaknesses.
“Education is a dream with determination. It’s a vision created by educational leaders and a proactive approach by national educators to motivate, inspire and transform the classroom environment into a haven of engagement and active learning. Best professional practice means adapting international frameworks to address Qatar’s social needs, and supporting the teachers who will lead and develop the generation of tomorrow,” he added.
Dr Simon Breakspear, founder and CEO of LearnLabs, a global learning research and design agency, who was the second keynote speaker said, “Cultivating learning innovation is crucial if Qatar is to ensure that all of its young people develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to succeed in a knowledge-based economy.”
“To be successful, this innovation should be focused on designing effective and engaging pedagogical approaches rather than simply adding technology to the classroom,” he added.
Dr Mazen Jassim Al Jaidah, member of QF Board; Buthaina Al Nuaimi, President, Pre-University Education; Alistair Routledge, President and General Manager, ExxonMobil Qatar; Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Naimi, Chief Operations Officer, QF; and Fawzia Abdulaziz Al Khater, Director, Education Institute, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, were present.
The Peninsula
