Experts discuss educational reform, AI integration at key Erbil confab
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The first International Conference on Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship (ICTripleE) commenced in Erbil on Tuesday, bringing together local and international experts to explore educational reform, with a particular focus on integrating artificial intelligence into learning systems.
The three-day event is organized by the Rwanga Foundation in collaboration with Salahaddin University-Erbil (SUE).
Speaking at the conference, Barzan Nazhat Hali, Deputy Chief Executive Director of the Rwanga Foundation, highlighted the critical need to prioritize education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship in the Kurdistan Region, while stressing the role of innovation and leadership in driving sustainable development and enhancing global competitiveness.
'When we reflect on our nation's present and the aspirations of our people, we understand that true revival is rooted not merely in resources, but in the development of minds,' Hali said.
'This is where development institutions play a crucial role - not just as implementers, but as creators of hope and builders of the future. That is exactly what the Rwanga Foundation strives to be.'
He stressed that an institution committed to education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship becomes a catalyst for change and a driver of a nation's transformation and development.
Hali expressed hope that the outcomes ICTripleE 'would be presented to the relevant authorities' and that the conference's recommendations 'serve as a scientific foundation for addressing educational shortcomings in the Kurdistan Region - ensuring alignment with contemporary developments and global trends.'
The opening day of the conference was Amir Abdulrahman Chali, deputy of the Kurdistan Regional Government's education minister.
'It is crucial that we move beyond rhetoric and turn concepts into practice,' Chali stated, adding that 'conferences like this will guide us toward achieving that goal.'
He further highlighted the education ministry's efforts to advance the education sector, including 'plans for a comprehensive conference for curriculum development.' Chali also underscored the ministry's keenness to 'establish career development centers.'
The conference, running from May 6 to May 8, is being held at SUE's cultural center.
Workshops during the conference will focus on student skill development, educational innovation, and cross-sector collaborations. Organizers view it as a crucial step in preparing future generations to meet global challenges.
Addressing the conferees, President of SUE, Kamaran Mohammadamin, emphasized the importance of education and entrepreneurship in 'enhancing students' abilities to succeed in their fields of study, preparing them for real-life challenges, and teaching them how to navigate the realities they will face in both their academic and professional careers.'
Mohammadamin also highlighted that SUE has hosted over 115 academic conferences in the past three years, addressing a wide range of societal issues and offering recommendations to the KRG. He noted that these efforts have contributed to the establishment of technical and scientific committees.
Furthermore, the president emphasized SUE's strong relationships with 'governmental, non-governmental, local, and international organizations,' stating, 'We have formed significant academic and scientific partnerships with numerous organizations.'
Among the attendees was Jaffer Sheyholislami, a renowned Professor from Western Iran (Rojhelat) and distinguished linguist and scholar at Carleton University in Canada.
Sheyholislami presented a workshop on the importance of language, describing it as the most vital human institution, the first complex system individuals encounter, and the foundation upon which all other societal institutions are built.
'Planning and policy-making for language are essential for a society that aims to reform, particularly in education,' Sheyholislami argued, emphasizing that, 'Education cannot happen without language.'
Sheyholislami also stressed 'the need for a language policy that can preserve national language and culture, enable participation and cooperation at the state level, and ensure the [Kurdistan] Region is an active player in science, research, culture, politics, and diplomacy globally.'
He highlighted concerns about younger generations entering the workforce without proficiency in languages beyond the native Kurdish tongue.
'Knowing only Kurdish limits job opportunities,' Sheyholislami said.
Education in the Kurdistan Region is primarily delivered in two Kurdish dialects - Badini in Duhok and Central Kurdish in other provinces - while Arabic is taught as a subject, though often poorly learned by the new generation.
Sheyholislami also noted that speakers of different dialects of the Kurdish language 'do not always understand each other.'
The last language policy issued by the Kurdistan Region's legislature dates back to 2014, with no updates since.
The esteemed professor emphasized, 'We need a critical language policy that addresses linguistic equality, social justice, Kurdish national development, and global competitiveness.'
Sheyholislami thus proposed an approach centered on nation-building through multilingual education, advocating for the strengthening of regional languages, the preservation of dialects, and the development of competitive multilingual citizens.
'Language is not just a tool for communication. It is a source of power and authority,' he concluded.
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