DOHA - Under its main theme of ‘Building the Future of Education', the second World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) opens today in Doha, Qatar, bringing together 1,250 delegates from more than 100 countries. Over three days, they are looking into ways to raise the status of education on the global agenda through five plenary and 20 break-out sessions, featuring 100 speakers. WISE is an initiative of Qatar Foundation, which has a mission to accelerate human development through education, scientific research and a range of community and cultural initiatives. The Chairperson of Qatar Foundation is Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned. Under the sub-theme: ‘Improving Education Systems', delegates will explore new models of leadership and curricula, open education and multi-stakeholder partnerships. The second sub-theme: ‘Exploring Innovative Trends', will look at new methods of learning and pedagogical models around the world. A special plenary session on ‘Funding Education' will deal with new ways to finance and sustain education systems in a period of economic uncertainty. The delegates represent a wide range of professional backgrounds ��" academic institutions, international organisations, the public sector, NGOs, private corporations and media, as well as frontline educators. This year, the conference includes new features such as workshops, an exhibition area and ‘Spotlight' sessions about outstanding experiences and expertise. Ensuring that learners also have a voice, 20 students from different parts of the world will report on the summit's activities as ‘next-generation' journalists. The WISE network of partnerships ensures that it reaches deep into the international education community. Current partners are: Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF); Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU); International Association of University Presidents (IAUP); Institute of International Education (IIE); RAND Corporation; and ��" a new partner this year ��" United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Speaking ahead of the summit, Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, the Chairman of WISE said: “WISE was established a year ago because we felt that education is the most significant way to empower individuals and societies. All of us will suffer from the global deficit in education, and so it is important to engage all sectors in finding new, relevant and practical solutions. This global diversity and action-orientated approach are the distinguishing features of WISE and a major source of strength.”
