العربية
Digital Transformation and 21st Century Skills
In pursuit of institutional effectiveness and acknowledging the crucial role employees play in fostering a culture of trust and personal growth, Sohar University held its 7th Teaching and Learning Conference on the morning of Thursday, September 5, 2024. The conference, titled “Digital Transformation and 21st Century Skills,” took place on the university campus and was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Al Busaidi, the Wali of Sohar. The event was attended by the university’s executive management.
The conference began with a welcome speech delivered by Professor Hamza Idris on behalf of the university Vice Chancellor.
The conference featured the presentations of two main keynote speakers: Dr. Aisha Al-Harthi from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman delivered a talk titled ‘Transformation Higher Education in Oman: The Strategic Potentials of Open Micro-Credentials,’ while Dr. Abdel Latif Al-Sellami from Qatar University presented on ‘Digital Transformation in Gulf Cooperation Council Education: Aspirations, Opportunities, and Challenges.’
Following the keynote presentations, parallel sessions began, featuring a variety of research papers organized into several themes: Learning Proficiency; The Role of Technology in Education Management; AI in Teaching; Learning from Students’ Perspectives; Learning Management; and Learning Development.
The conference also included parallel workshops focused on: ‘Student Success Frameworks: Integrating Employability and Graduate Attributes’ presented by Dr. Kristian Rumble from the United Kingdom, and a workshop on ‘Experiencing with availability AI-Based Tools in Engineering Education’ led by Professor Nael Barakat from the United States.
A total of 75 researchers participated in the conference, representing not only the Sultanate of Oman but also countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Zainab Al-Zaghir, Chair of the Center for Educational Development, commented on the conference, stating, “The conference provides a valuable opportunity for researchers from Oman and beyond to meet and discuss advancements in education and learning, as well as the application of technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the educational process.”