The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Education Workshop, organised by Qatar Foundation (QF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened this week at the 2015 Building (formerly QF Headquarters). The opening ceremony was attended by QF Vice Chairperson and CEO, HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani.
Held in partnership with the ACD – a pan-Asian forum that aims to maximise the expertise, strengths, and resources of its member states to elevate the continent’s global competitiveness – and the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), a QF initiative, the workshop is focusing on enhancing collaboration in the field of higher education across Asia. Qatar is one of the 18 founding members of the ACD and holds the presidency of the forum for 2019.
The two-day workshop is taking place under the theme ‘Learning from Neighbours: A Pan-Asian Effort to Build Contextualized Education Policies’, with participants including representatives from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), QF partner universities, and other higher education institutions in Qatar, as well as from members of the ACD University Network and other universities from ACD member states.
The goal is to advance a common agenda among decision-makers, at a regional and continental level, that will improve educational access and quality, promote global citizenship, and foster competitive workforces, with two interactive sessions today focusing on ‘Building an entrepreneurship education framework’.
The forum is also providing delegates with the opportunity to learn about impactful education-related partnerships that have been formed in Qatar, including those driven by QF, with debates intended to help inform education policy and explore potential new educational initiatives.
Ambassador Khalid Ibrahim Abdulrahman Al Hamar, Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the success of the workshop and the high level of attendance. He said that Qatar focuses its attention and places great importance on the ACD. Organising the workshop, he said, has aligned with Qatar’s focus on education and the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, emphasising the importance of education as one of the cornerstones of societal development.
Doha will host the 16th ministerial meeting of the member states of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in 2019, coinciding with hosting the forum for businessmen which will be held from 30 April to 2 May, and a workshop on culture in September.
These events are part our support to the joint efforts of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, and its commitment to integration by increasing cooperation between Asian countries in all areas and fields.’
Dr Marwan Khraisheh, Senior Research Director at HBKU said many higher education institutions around the world face difficulties and dilemmas in trying to be ‘international’.
They look to ensure their students and faculty can benefit from knowledge exchanges and cross-cultural collaboration with multiple institutions from abroad, while at the same time ensuring they stay true and focused on the specific needs of their society. Striking this balance can be challenging. But it becomes less daunting when there are pathways that allow open dialogue and the exchange of support between different institutions.’
For more information about the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, visit acd-dialogue.org.
