* Sheikha Moza attends WISE summit 2019


The opening ceremony of the 2019 World Education Summit for Education (WISE) was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation on Wednesday with the participation of 3,000 delegates from 110 countries, the highest number of delegates so far.

The opening plenary of the WISE Summit 2019, held under the theme ‘UnLearn ReLearn: What it means to be Human’ was also attended by Armenian President Armen Sarkissian; HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation; ministers; first ladies; dignitaries; and global education leaders among others.

HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, noted that WISE is an important international platform where discussions on innovation in education have been taking place over the last 10 years.


Her Highness Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended WISE 2019.

“WISE is gathering an international spotlight among those who take a keen interest in discussing education in a holistic manner, and who see education as a core for human development and a tool for the upliftment of societies,” said al-Hammadi.

“Human development is the cornerstone of Qatar's National Vision 2030,” al-Hammadi noted, referencing the national curriculum.

“The values of tolerance, mutual respect, cultural understanding, understanding of the pillars of global citizenship, renunciation of intolerance, violence, terrorism, and commitment to sustainable development have become the foundation of Qatar's educational curriculum and an integral part of its construction,” he highlighted.


HE Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education speaks at the event.

“The presence of such a large group of policymakers, thought-leaders, researchers, teachers, and youth sends the message that education is not the responsibility of a particular institution, but a responsibility that we all share, because education has an impact on our world and our future as human beings,” added the minister.

The opening plenary session of WISE 2019 Summit was moderated by Yalda Hakim, presenter-international correspondent, BBC World News. Other speakers at the opening plenary session were Max Tegmark, co-founder, Future of Life Institute; Nicholas A Christakis, professor, Yale University; and Najat Vallaud Belkacem, CEO, Global Affairs, IPSOS; former minister of education, France.

The speakers, education specialists, and thought-leaders are participating in more than 150 plenary sessions and debates over the two-day conference.


Max Tegmark speaking at the opening session. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

Among the questions at the heart of the discussions this year are: Should schools teach students how to be happy? Will artificial intelligence make teachers obsolete? Can the latest discoveries in neuroscience make our kids smarter? Do students care about what they are learning? Should schools get rid of grading systems? Should students pledge a percentage of their future salary to fund their higher education?

Established 10 years ago, more than $28mn donations and investments raised by startups have been supported by WISE. During this time, WISE has also served 150 organisations, projects and start-ups, and has represented more than 254mn beneficiaries.





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