The higher education landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, propelled by the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The journey of embedding AI into the educational system, from induction through to teaching, learning, and student outcomes, necessitates a thoughtful exploration of its pedagogical, ethical and disciplinary dimensions.
The symposium aims to bring colleagues together from across the MENA region to share and discuss how AI is being incorporated into practice and will focus on building ethical and sustainable student learning journeys.
Event Information
20 June 2024, Virtual
08:15 - 15:30 (Egypt Standard Time, UTC+2)
09:15 - 16:30 (Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3)
10:15 - 17:30 (Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4)
06:15 - 13:30 (UTC)
Symposium themes
We are interested in focusing on the human and the machine and therefore pose the following questions:
- How can we align the use of AI with the core values, objectives, and standards of higher education within the MENA context?
- What measures can be taken to harmonise AI's advantages with its potential risks and challenges in this unique regional setting?
- How can we cultivate a responsible and inclusive AI usage culture in the MENA educational sector?
- How can AI be leveraged to make impactful advancements in teaching and learning methodologies in this diverse cultural landscape?
Excellent event, sharing insights and good practice from across the sector, thus helping to navigate this exciting journey in an AI enabled world."Tsai Lovett, University College Birmingham
Call for papers
The call for papers is now closed.
We are calling for contributions that address these critical questions. We welcome various submissions, including case studies, reflective pieces, critical essays, perspectives on AI, and reports. Contributions co-authored or presented alongside students are especially encouraged, highlighting our commitment to amplifying student voices in the discourse. To facilitate this, we pledge to provide the necessary technological support and collaboration to integrate student perspectives effectively into the presentations.
Session types:
Oral Presentations - These are 15 minutes and will be followed by 5 minutes of questions and answers (Q&A) with delegates. This session type should be selected if your proposed session is a critical essay or report on a project within your institution. It should offer guidance on how others can replicate similar projects within their institutions. Your session should include a PowerPoint presentation or visual stimulus to accompany your talk.
"On the Cutting Edge" - These are 10 minutes and followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. This is an opportunity to talk about 'works in progress' where you may not have taken any action or it is too soon to evaluate the impact of your work. However, you plan or are making a change using AI and want feedback and dialogue with colleagues. The use of PowerPoint slides for this session type is optional.
Workshop sessions - These should be one hour long. We want to provide an opportunity for colleagues to learn from each other, and therefore, we wish to have a space for learning and development in this rapidly expanding area. We welcome contributions to help colleagues understand how to embed, use and critique AI practice.
Who should attend?
- Academic Professionals: Educators, researchers, and administrators in higher education across the MENA region interested in integrating AI into educational practices.
- Policy Makers: This is relevant for those in governmental or regulatory roles who are focused on the ethical, pedagogical, and operational implications of AI in education.
- Tech Innovators and AI Practitioners are individuals or organisations working on AI technologies and solutions tailored for the Higher Education sector.
- Stakeholders in Education: Including non-profit organisations, educational technology companies, and consultants focusing on the advancement of learning and teaching methodologies.
Learning outcomes
- Insightful Perspectives: Gain insights into aligning AI with the core values, objectives, and higher education standards within the MENA context.
- Risk Management Strategies: Learn about harmonising the advantages of AI with its potential risks and challenges, fostering a responsible and inclusive AI usage culture.
- Innovative Methodologies: Discover how AI can revolutionise teaching and learning methodologies, offering practical examples and case studies.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration with peers, highlighting the importance of student voices in AI integration.
- Practical Guidance: Learn from oral presentations and workshops on embedding, using, and critiquing AI in education, with tangible takeaways on replicating successful AI projects within institutions.
Event Information
20 June 2024, Virtual
08:00 - 14:00 (Egypt Standard Time, UTC+2)
09:00 - 15:00 (Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3)
10:00 - 16:00 (Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4)
06:00 - 12:00 (UTC)