Beirut: The American University of Beirut (AUB) recently hosted the "Schools for the Future: Across Lebanon and Beyond" conference, a significant event under Jana, an initiative by Lebanon and Beyond, aimed at transforming the educational landscape in Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the conference took place at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at AUB, gathering educators, policymakers, and civil society leaders from Lebanon and the diaspora. The goal was to reimagine K-12 education for the 21st century. Keynote speakers included Dr. Fouad Abdel-Khalick, Dr. Moise Khayrallah, and Dr. Saouma Boujaoude, who led the discussions.
Prominent guest speakers such as Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president; Dr. Kamal Shehadi, minister of state for technology and artificial intelligence; Dr. Joseph Aoun, president of Northeastern University; and Dr. Rima Karami, minister of education and higher education, enriched the dialogue with their insights.
Dr. Fadlo Khuri emphasized the importance of rethinking schools as living ecosystems. He expressed gratitude to Lebanon and Beyond for involving AUB in this initiative aimed at building educational bridges and integrating global knowledge while maintaining local identity.
Dr. Kamal Shehadi highlighted the critical role of technology and AI in education and the ministry's efforts to develop policies to prepare Lebanon for digital transformation. Dr. Joseph Aoun addressed the misconceptions about AI in education, advocating for its integration into curricula alongside traditional subjects.
Dr. Rima Karami stressed the importance of the Lebanese diaspora as part of the country's national ecosystem, urging for a strong connection between the homeland and the diaspora to secure a promising future for the next generations.
The conference posed a central question on shaping the future of schooling in Lebanon amidst digital transformation. Panel sessions led by the conference co-chairs facilitated discussions on empowering schools to foster a brighter, equitable future.
Dr. Moise Khayrallah emphasized the transformative potential of education as a bridge across divides, while Dr. Fouad Abdel-Khalick noted the conference's timely nature and its role in fostering critical conversations for Lebanon's educational future.
Dr. Saouma Boujaoude expressed optimism about the conference's impact, seeing it as the beginning of ongoing collaboration and change in Lebanon's educational sector. Over two days, participants engaged in sessions and workshops, creating a shared vision for Lebanon's educational future and laying the groundwork for future projects and collaborations.