Have you heard about the upcoming WISE Summit and wondered what it is all about? Then, you've reached the right place. The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team is here to tell you more about the event, the speakers, the topics of discussion, the agenda of events, and so much more!

What is WISE & the WISE Summit?

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) is an organisation that falls under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation, which brings together stakeholders of the education industry from around the world who work to provide innovative solutions to educational challenges through the means of sharing ideas, partnerships & other collaborations. WISE works towards several policy engagement, research, leadership, and practitioner program initiatives.

WISE Summit is WISE's flagship event, of which the 11th edition is set to take place from 28-29 November 2023 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) and will be exploring the slogan of 'Creative Fluency: Human Flourishing in the Age of AI' by experts and innovators from around the globe.

This edition of WISE Summit (WISE 11) will address prolonged educational issues such as teacher shortages, limited access to formal learning among vulnerable populations, poor learning outcomes and the disconnect between higher education & workforce needs.

The summit will also encourage stakeholders to address the importance of computational literacy, the promise of personalised learning for all, new AI-integrated pedagogical approaches that enhance the creative potential of students and teachers, and issues of equity and embedded values in the design, dissemination, and implementation of emerging technologies for education around the world.

Who are the key speakers for WISE 11?

There is a lineup of honourable speakers who will be addressing the key topics and challenges. More speakers are yet to be announced.

The lineup of speakers is as follows:

• Rawaa Augé - Presenter, Al Jazeera
• Aidan White - President, Ethical Journalism Network (keynote speaker)
• Nina Schick - Founder, Tamang Ventures Limited (keynote speaker)
• Conrad Wolfram - European co-founder/CEO of The Wolfram Group, Wolfram Research Europe
• Jeffrey Sachs - University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University
• Pelonomi Moiloa - CEO, Lelapa AI
• H.E. Sayasat Nurbek - Minister of Science and Higher Education, Kazakhstan
• Ahmed ElMagarmid - Executive Director, Qatar Computing Research Institute
• Hayfa Al Abdulla - Innovation Director, Qatar Science & Technology Park
• Shingai Manjengwa - Head of AI Education, ChainML
• Kian Katanforoosh - CEO and Founder, Workera
• Jason Czyz - Co-President, Institute of International Education
• Isabelle Hau - Executive Director, Stanford Accelerator for Learning
• Alvin Graylin - Global VP of Corporate Development, HTC
• Karim Ginena - Founder, RAI Audit
• Joe Clement - Author and Teacher

What themes will WISE 11 be exploring?

There are 6 main themes that the speakers of WISE 11 will be diving into, which are as follows:

• Scaling for Equity and Access - Analysis of the idea that AI is the solution to providing quality education for everyone.
• Classrooms of the Future - The idea of whether AI will cause a forcible rethink of teaching and learning.
• Rethinking Higher Education and Jobs in an AI-Driven World - How to ensure future generations are equipped with the necessary skills.
• Building Ethical AI - Ways to ensure AI tools do not transgress and are coherent with core societal values and culture.
• AI and Digital Sovereignty - How can education systems create an autonomous space amongst AI superpowers.
• Systems Transformation - Exploration of the ways to create more effective & inclusive learning environments along with technologically integrated curriculum design and teaching methodologies.

What programs will take place at WISE 11?

The 2-day event follows a varied program for each day with select speakers and an agenda for the day.

28 November 2023 Agenda

• Opening Plenary: 9 am to 10 am
• WISE Awards Plenary: 3 pm to 4:15 pm

The awards will recognise and reward the 6 following projects for their contribution towards resolutions for global educational challenges along with positively impacting communities:

• Ana Chirita, Tekwill in Every School (Moldovan Association of ICT Companies ATIC. Moldova)
• Armando Ali, International Common Assessment of Numeracy ICAN (PAL Network, Kenya)
• Layisha Perhati, NaTakallam: A Different Kind of Language Learning (NaTakallam, USA)
• Marianne Stone, Ahlan Simsim (International Rescue Committee (IRC) - in partnership with Sesame Workshop, Jordan)
• Luis Camargo, Nature-Based Education Networks (OPEPA, Colombia)
• Siddhant Sachdeva, Catalyzing ECE at Scale - Rocket Learning (Ekho Foundation, India)

29 November 2023 Agenda

• Education Above All (EAA): 9 am to 10 am (Speakers are yet to be announced)
• Closing Plenary: 3 pm to 4:15 pm

What's included at the Thematic Zones at WISE 11?

As part of the event, allocated spaces are dedicated to exploring specific themes and interaction types. The different areas include:

1. 3 thematic zones (A, B & C)
2. A research presentation room
3. The 'MAJLIS'

The thematic zones follow a specific format of three sections: 'Panels' to frame the debate and highlight priority issues, 'Masterclass Sessions' to deepen understanding and provide perspectives on possible solutions & 'Policy Roundtables' to bring together education stakeholders in defining actionable policy agendas.

28 November 2023 Thematic Zones Agenda

• Thematic Zone A - Classrooms of the Future
  • Masterclass: Redefining Learning: Transforming K-12 Education with Computational Thinking for the Age of AI
  • Panel: Classrooms of the Future: Will AI Necessitate a Fundamental Rethink of Teaching and Learning?
  • Policy Roundtable: Charting the Future of Education: Roadmap for AI Integration in the Classroom
• Thematic Zone B - AI and Digital Sovereignty
  • Masterclass: Critical Thinking in the Digital Age: AI, Information Literacy, and the Battle Against Disinformation
  • Panel: Empowering the Global South: Capacity Building for Self-determination
  • Policy Roundtable: Navigating the Impact of AI Superpowers: How to Build an Inclusive Global AI Landscape

• Thematic Zone C - Building Ethical AI
  • Masterclass: Building Ethical AI: How Can We Ensure That AI Tools Reflect Core Societal Values?
  • Panel: Can We Trust AI to Build Ethical Education Futures?
  • Policy Roundtable: Writing the Rules: What Does the Roadmap to Ethical AI Look Like?

29 November 2023 Thematic Zones Agenda

• Thematic Zone A - Systems Transformation
  • Masterclass: From Hype to Reality: Unleashing AI's Potential for System Transformation
  • Panel: The Role of Policymakers in Fostering Responsible and Effective AI in Education
  • Policy Roundtable: The Role of EdTech Testbeds in Facilitating Systems Transformation in the Age of AI

• Thematic Zone B - Rethinking Higher Education and Jobs in An AI-Driven World
  • Masterclass: AI Mastery: Boosting Workforce Resilience and Agility
  • Panel: Bridging the Gap: Higher Education and Industry in the Age of AI
  • Policy Roundtable: Higher Education and AI: Building Resilient Pedagogies

• Thematic Zone C - Scaling for Equity and Access
  • Masterclass: Empowering Equity: Achieving AI's Global Potential
  • Panel: Breaking Boundaries: Is AI the Key to Ensuring Next-Gen Education Access?
  • Policy Roundtable: Policy Insights: Leveraging AI to Navigate and Overcome Barriers in Scaling Effective Initiatives

Research Presentation

Here, the WISE Research authors will present their latest reports, which address critical education issues along with recommended actions and policies.

28 November 2023 - Research Presentation Agenda Topics

• Post-pandemic National Educational Investments: School Leadership Development for Innovative Learning Designs
• Collaborative Leadership for Transforming Education in Learning Ecosystems
• Building Skills, Strengthening Communities: The Impact of Learning Festivals
• Leveraging the Evidence on the Relation of Teacher Well-being to Student Well-being and Learning: A Scoping Review and Educator and Student Interviews

29 November 2023 - Research Presentation Agenda Topics

• Priority Areas for Improving Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration Across the Learning Ecosystem
• Qatar's Edtech Testbed: Challenges and Opportunities for Building Collaborative Partnerships Toward Innovative, Tech-Enabled Teaching
• The Benefits of Impact-Based Programing: Fostering a Reading Culture with Qatar Reads
• Education and Employment for Persons with Disabilities in Qatar

Majlis

The WISE Majlis provides a gathering space that provides a platform for informal interactions, discussions and presentations, workshops, and networking activities. The agenda remains the same on 28 & 29 November 2023.

• WISE On Air: Enjoy live podcasts where conversations take place with the world's leading minds about the future of education, including the WISE Prize Laureate. The podcast will feature 8 episodes, with 4 episodes on day 1 & another 4 on day 2. The podcasts will cover topics such as skills to be prioritized for the AI age, redefining education in times of crisis, and how to shape a more resilient & sustainable world along with other thought-provoking topics. The podcasts are presented in collaboration with Nina Schick, Doha Debates, EdUp Experience Podcast & Messy and Masterful TechPitch.
• Youth Studio: Here, you can participate in discussions amongst youth members about the issues shaping the next generation.
• Learning Lab 1 & 2: Students can participate in workshops that expose them to experiential learning while trying immersive activities featuring the latest learning tools.

The Learning Lab also provides a space for practitioners to experience creative professional development through demonstrations of innovative pedagogical approaches and AI tools.

About the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation

The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA Foundation aims to transform lives through education. We believe that education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through our multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and partnerships, we aim to bring hope and real opportunities to the lives of impoverished and marginalised boys and girls.

EAA Foundation is comprised of the following programmes: Educate A Child (EAC), Al Fakhoora, Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), Innovation Development (ID) and Together project.

EAA Foundation and its programmes will host a range of talks to further advocate for their purpose as part of the WISE Summit.

Education Above All (EAA) Agenda Topics

28 November 2023

· ID Panel Session AI in Education: Early Innovations Showcase: This WISE session will bring together organizations already leveraging AI in education to showcase early innovations and ideas from AI-based pilots, share knowledge and experiences, discuss the importance of prioritizing the responsible and judicious utilization of AI, and identify opportunities for improvement and further exploration in this field.

· Educate A Child: 10 Years Anniversary Celebration Event: Re-Ignite Action to Transform the Lives of Those Left Behind: This event aims to highlight EAC’s path in reaching millions of OOSC over the past 10 years, whilst highlighting how we must persist in the search and development of new solutions

· Reach Out To Asia Panel session: Greening Education: Critical Elements for Transformation – An Intergenerational Dialogue: This Intergenerational Dialogue will discuss the critical elements required to transform and ‘green’ education to effectively respond to the global climate crisis and equip all learners with critical competencies covering not only knowledge, but also social and emotional awareness and actions, including critical thinking and collaboration.

· Silatech/ EAA: Panel Session Youth and the Creative Economy: Leveraging Technology for Youth Economic Empowerment in Developing Countries: This session will promote and recognize creative and innovative industries as income-generating activities leading to youth employment through equipping youth with fundamental technical and soft skills, access to digital infrastructure, and financial solutions.

· Al Fakhoora: Panel Session Artificial Intelligence and Access to Higher Education: The Role of AI in the Effort to Provide Inclusive, Equitable Access to Higher Education for the Most Marginalized: This panel discussion, the second in a series, brings together representatives from the higher education and development sector, as well as affected youth, to discuss the intersection of AI and access to higher education for the most marginalized, specifically the role of AI in various application processes

· EAC & PEIC: Panel Session 10+ Years of EAA Experience—Lessons on “Re-Inventing Education” for Inclusion and Protection from Attack: This panel will discuss the successes of the last ten years in reducing numbers of OOSC, whilst calling for action to protect education from attack and ensure those the furthest behind are included in quality education.

· ID: Workshop-Style Discussion Tackling Education Inequity through Experiential Learning: The WISE session with renowned leaders in this space will delve into pressing issues in education and showcase how experiential learning can drive positive change worldwide. It also emphasizes bi-directional channels between national systems and last mile learners, priming the need for global co-operation and advocacy, which the EL4C Alliance would facilitate.

29 November 2023

• EAA Plenary Session: This plenary session will highlight ongoing challenges in Gaza on the global agenda, discuss solutions and initiatives for educational recovery, and explore the accessibility of digital data and technologies in conflict-affected communities.
• Al Fakhoora Policy Roundtable (closed) Invites may be secured for media on request: Policy round table focuses on addressing inclusivity and access in higher education through recognition, highlighting Qatar's support for the implementation of the UNESCO Qualifications Passport. By sharing experiences from different country contexts and increasing awareness at various policy levels, we strive for inclusive education provision.
• EACI Panel Session: Education Impact Bonds – What Works and How to Make Them Work Better with New Partnerships: Panel discussion to show the importance of education impact bonds in global financing, what works and how new partnerships can improve bonds. Themes: Live case studies, ODA/Foundation/risk investor perspectives, Accountability and regulation and EAA innovations in wave 4 strategy
• Al Fakhoora Ministerial Roundtable: Invites may be secured for media on request: The ministerial roundtable aims to tackle systemic fragility and ensure access to quality higher education for all. By highlighting member states' efforts and creating a vision for a strengthened higher education system, we align with the Education 2030 Agenda and UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.3.

How to attend WISE 11?

The WISE Summit and all corresponding events are open to the public; however, pre-registration online will be required.

• Date: 28 - 29 November 2023
• Location: Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC)
• Register to attend: www.wisesummit2023.org
• Website: www.wise-qatar.org

Cover image credit and source: WISE

Are you planning to attend WISE 11? Was this information useful for you? Do let us know in the comments below. Do share this article - it keeps us going!

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar