Doha: The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, recently held an Edtech Testbed Workshop aimed at co-designing a practical framework for piloting AI tools in Qatari schools. The initiative seeks to enhance the quality of education while maintaining privacy standards.

According to Qatar News Agency, the three-day workshop gathered over 40 representatives from both public and private schools across the country. Participants included teachers from Qatar Foundation schools that follow the International Baccalaureate system, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and experts in educational technology and assessment.

The sessions during the workshop focused on employing a human-centered design methodology to identify priorities within the educational sector. They also aimed to develop precise criteria for selecting artificial intelligence tools that could be beneficial in educational settings.

Program Director at WISE, Aurelio Amaral, stated that the workshop laid a foundational framework for creating an effective testing platform. He noted that the collaborative discussions highlighted a strong commitment from all parties involved to drive innovation in education and provide a personalized, comprehensive learning experience.

Kholoud Al Mannai, the Director of the e-Learning Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, remarked that the workshop is a crucial step in adopting AI tools that align with national educational priorities. She emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to ensuring these tools are comprehensive, curriculum-aligned, and suitable for all student groups, while also empowering teachers through ongoing training.