Aspire Academy yesterday concluded the fourth edition of its ‘Aspire For Education’ conference on the theme ‘Well-being in Education.’

The conference, according to an official statement, brought together participants from Qatar, the Gulf region and internationally while reaffirming its role as a leading platform shaping the future of education.

The two-day event featured keynote speeches from distinguished figures in education including HE Sheikha Dr Hessa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson and Founder of Well-being and Career Development.

There were also interactive panel discussions on current challenges as well as practical workshops focused on integrating psychological and social well-being concepts into educational curricula and environments.

The conference opened with remarks from Jassem al-Jaber, chairman of the ‘Aspire For Education’ Conference in the presence of Qatar’s former Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohamed al-Sada, Ivan Bravo, director general of Aspire Academy and Khaled al-Mawlawi, acting director general of Aspetar.

“This conference seeks to establish holistic and educational values that restore the true essence of education. Education is more than just transferring knowledge or developing skills; it is about nurturing the mind and body while strengthening the soul and spirit within the individual," al-Jaber said.

“A holistic and integrative perspective on well-being and nurturing the human being extends beyond the individual’s inner self to include the entire world and all its diverse entities. These elements exist in continuous interaction, influencing and being influenced by one another in a dynamic exchange. Health, wellness, and healing are collective processes shaped by the combined contributions of various universal forces, both directly and indirectly,” Dr Hessa al-Thani said. She was honoured with a shield of appreciation by Aspire Academy deputy director general Ali Salem Afifa.

During his address, Leo Thompson, founder of Edsplorer, said learning is not the highest priority for humans.

Day one also included a panel discussion, moderated by Dr Ali Fawaz, education expert at Aspire Academy, which focused on physical health and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.

One of day two’s keynote addresses came from former international and English Premier League referee Matt Messias.

Prof. Valter Di Salvo, director of Football Performance and Science at Aspire Academy and the Qatar Football Association, offered a sporting view on the importance of well-being in education.

Jameel al-Shammari, general director of Qatar Leadership Academy, also addressed the delegates emphasising how diversity, inclusion and the development of positive relationships can transform both learning and working spaces into more creative, collaborative and successful communities.

The delegates participated in panel discussions featuring a diverse range of topics. One dialogue featured Matt Messias; Mehdi Benchaaban, executive director of Qatar Foundation Schools; Dr Mohamed Mostafa, educational expert and trainer at AETCGS and adjunct professor at Lusail University and Dr Mohammed al-Anzi, senior student counsellor at Aspire Academy Social Affairs.