Wednesday 15 / January / 2025
Under the auspices of His Excellency Dr. Said Al-Rubaii, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), the Preparatory Studies Centre (PSC) at UTAS-Al Mussanah successfully hosted the 2nd PSC Online Forum on January 15-16, 2025. Themed Navigating the Future of Education: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities, the two-day forum brought together esteemed educators and researchers to discuss pressing challenges in modern education and explore innovative strategies for addressing them.
The event commenced with an inspiring opening speech by Dr. Said Al-Rubaii, emphasizing the university's commitment to fostering continuous improvement in teaching and learning, leveraging technology-based education, and advancing pedagogical practices. This was followed by welcome remarks from Mr. Juma Al Ghafri, Head of the Preparatory Studies Centre at UTAS-Al Mussanah, who highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of education.
Professor Hayo Reinders, TESOL Professor and Director of the doctoral program at Anaheim University, delivered an insightful keynote speech on empowering learners and leveraging educational technology. He shared practical strategies for fostering learner autonomy and supporting language learning beyond the classroom.
The forum featured six webinars led by distinguished speakers. Mr. Ishaq Salim Al-Naabi presented on "How Can Webinars for Continuous Professional Development Foster Transformative Learning? A Systematic Review of Literature." Dr. Aylar Norouzifard explored "Navigating AI and Technology-enhanced Learning: Neuroscience and Mental Health Insights for Generation Z in Higher Education." Ms. Valerie Lewis introduced "Innovatively-shaped Peer Coaching: Task-stations Manned by Peers." Dr. Amjed Ayyat discussed "Implementing a Three-stage Approach to Teaching Writing Skills Using the Corpus of Contemporary American English in an ESL Class." Dr. Tabassum Sadik highlighted "Advancing Education Research: Training and Collaborative Opportunities." Lastly, Ms. Sonia Victor Soans shared insights on "Revolutionizing Assessment in the Age of AI: Innovative Techniques for Skill-based Learning."
The sessions addressed critical topics such as leveraging AI in education, peer coaching strategies, innovative assessment techniques, and transformative approaches to professional development. The forum concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Juma Al Ghafri, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, participants, and organizers for their valuable contributions. The 2nd PSC Online Forum stands as a testament to UTAS-Al Mussanah's dedication to advancing education and fostering innovation in teaching and learning.
