A symposium organized by TRENDS Research & Advisory, in cooperation with the UNESCO Regional Center for Educational Planning (RCEP), highlighted the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the future of generations, especially amid the rapid transformations and growing challenges the world is facing.

Held on World Teachers’ Day in the Conference Hall at TRENDS under the title “Empowering Teachers: Building Sustainable Societies”, the symposium brought together a group of prominent global educators and researchers. It emphasized the importance of joint collaboration between various stakeholders to empower teachers and build sustainable societies. The symposium highlighted that developing the education sector requires concerted efforts and coordination, recommending investment in sustainable professional development programs for teachers, creating supportive work environments, and leveraging technology and innovation in the educational process.

Teachers Build Generations

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, emphasized that a teacher is not merely a transmitter of knowledge but a builder of generations and the personality of students. He underscored the importance of empowering teachers and providing them with a supportive environment to keep pace with technological and educational advancements. Dr. Al-Ali highlighted the need to invest in teachers and enhance their capabilities, affirming that the teacher is the cornerstone of any successful educational system.

Dr. Al-Ali also noted that the symposium coincided with a significant event in the UAE, as H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, announced that the UAE will mark Emirati Day for Education on February 28 every year. This underscores the importance of education in the UAE and its vital role in the nation’s development and progress. It reflects the UAE leadership’s firm belief in the value of education and its crucial role in building generations and advancing nations. The UAE’s commitment to improving the teaching profession and teachers’ conditions is also demonstrated through initiatives like the “Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher,” which exemplifies the leadership’s dedication to empowering, celebrating, and motivating teachers in their educational and societal roles.

Dr. Al-Ali pointed out that this symposium also coincided with World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5, serving as a reminder of the vital role teachers play, the ways to support them, and the challenges they face in enhancing the teaching profession.

Driving Force

In a keynote address, H.E. Mahra Hilal Al-Mutaiwie, Director of RCEP, emphasized, “At the RCEP, we believe that the teacher is the cornerstone of any successful educational system. Teachers are the driving force behind societal progress and the shapers of the future. They are leaders of change and future makers, which is why they form a strategic focus of the RCEP’s work. We continue to support teachers through advanced training programs and provide them with all the necessary resources to meet modern challenges. We are committed to investing in teachers as a key element in building sustainable societies capable of addressing global changes and achieving inclusive and equitable education for all.”

Empowering Teachers

Following the opening ceremony, two sessions of the symposium highlighted the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of societies and guiding future generations, especially as the world experiences rapid transformations and increasing challenges.

The sessions featured H.E. Maryam Majid Bin Thaniya, Second Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council, Dr. May Al-Taee, Vice Chancellor of the Emirates College for Advanced Education, Mr. Carlos Vargas Tamez, Head of the Secretariat of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030, UNESCO, Prof. Iman Gad, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the British University in Dubai, and Ms. Saleimah Alsaadi, winner of the Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher. They discussed several pressing issues that teachers face today, from shortages in teacher numbers to the urgent need to develop their skills in line with the requirements of the 21st century. They presented innovative strategies to support teachers in enhancing their competencies and capabilities, enabling them to become mentors and inspirers to their students, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

The symposium also addressed the importance of education and research in light of rapid technological advancements, from the First Industrial Revolution to the AI era, highlighting the increasing demand for specialized skills in fields such as engineering and science, and the role of education in supporting sustainable development.

The second session focused on the primary goal of empowering teachers and preparing them for future changes, aligning with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership. The session also highlighted the efforts of the Emirates College for Advanced Education in advancing the teaching profession and equipping teachers with the necessary skills for modern education.

Insights and Ideas

Researchers, experts, and educators shared insights and practical ideas on how to empower teachers to face future challenges. They emphasized the importance of developing educators’ skills to keep pace with rapid technological advancement, especially with the rise of AI. They noted that the Emirates College for Advanced Education plays a vital role in this regard by providing teachers with necessary skills through specialized academic programs and a framework for professional competencies.

The speakers also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology and innovation in the educational process, alongside enhancing the teacher’s role in instilling core values and essential life skills in students, thus creating a generation that is capable of overcoming challenges and building sustainable societies.

The insights focused on the essential skills and competencies teachers need to succeed in the future, along with a global perspective on the status and role of teachers in transforming education. Additionally, there was a discussion on designing a sustainable professional development program to support the career advancement of teachers, recognizing it as one of the critical pillars of societal development. The symposium underscored the need for sustainable training programs that meet teachers’ needs and contribute to their professional growth.

Attendees also discussed the benefits of sustainable professional development for teachers, considering them a fundamental pillar in creating a balanced and harmonious society. They highlighted the challenges of professional development for teachers amidst work pressures and the pursuit of professional advancement, along with the teacher’s role in preparing students for the future, which has become a necessity. Teachers must equip students with knowledge and various skills that enhance their abilities and shape their personalities. The role of the teacher in instilling essential life skills in students and enabling them to face future challenges was also emphasized.

At the conclusion of the symposium, which was emceed and moderated by Rahaf Al-Khazraji, Director of the Translation Department at TRENDS, Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali honored the participants, presenting them with certificates of appreciation and a collection of the center’s publications.