2024
Conference 19: "A Flexible Higher Education System Keeping Pace with Rapid and Steady Global Changes", Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, November 2024
The conference addressed the topic "A Flexible Higher Education System Keeping Pace with Rapid and Steady Global Changes", through the conference's main document, which highlighted the technological trends that have revolutionized the education sector, namely the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that require human intelligence such as learning, reasoning and problem-solving, where artificial intelligence can be used in analyzing data and making decisions based on those analyses. Flexible learning is an educational approach that allows learners to control the time, place and pace of their learning. It can provide an educational environment not restricted to traditional classrooms, allowing students to access educational resources whenever and wherever they want. The use of artificial intelligence in flexible education aims at the personalization of learning, where artificial intelligence can analyze each student's performance and provide customized learning plans that suit their needs and educational level, allowing students to learn subjects according to their abilities. And toward adaptive assessment: where artificial intelligence can adjust tests based on the student's level, so that questions are more or less difficult depending on performance, making assessment flexible and effective. In addition to self-learning: where artificial intelligence tools are used in virtual lessons and smart assistants, enabling students to learn independently and at the pace that suits them. Flexible learning also enables virtual teachers, as artificial intelligence systems provide individual guidance, answer questions instantly and help solve problems, allowing for an effective and interactive learning experience. In addition to performance prediction and future guidance, where artificial intelligence can analyze performance data and predict potential difficulties the student may face, helping them provide early warning if the student stumbles. And smart content organization: artificial intelligence can organize educational materials in flexible, innovative and enjoyable ways, such as dividing content into small units for learning as needed.
To apply the integration between artificial intelligence and flexible learning in universities, an educational platform based on artificial intelligence can be made available to provide a customized educational experience for each student. This platform can include components such as performance analysis, providing customized educational recommendations, and providing detailed reports to teachers on each student's progress.
A number of scientific documents related to the conference's topic and stemming from the recommendations of the 18th Conference were presented to the conference's proceedings, namely: "The General Framework of the ALECSO Strategy for Developing Creativity and Innovation in Higher Education Institutions in Arab Countries", "Developing University Education Programmes in Arab Countries in Light of Future Skills and Professions", "The Joint Arab Qualifications Framework", "The Project of the Arab System for Verifying the Authenticity of Scientific Certificates and Protecting Them from Forgery Using Blockchain Technologies", and "The ALECSO Fund for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship and Innovation", in addition to the experiences of the participating Arab countries on the conference's topic,
The conference issued a number of recommendations that included encouraging Arab countries to adopt, promote and regulate artificial intelligence technologies in driving the advancement of higher education and scientific research in Arab countries, encouraging higher education institutions in member states to adopt flexible education methods, improving the value of education through exchange and bilateral and international cooperation and establishing partnerships, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming scientific research outputs into practical applications that support economic growth and societal welfare, inviting Arab countries to benefit from the guiding framework for qualifications and to harmonize education and vocational training standards, joining the ALECSO initiative for a unified Arab system to verify the authenticity of scientific certificates issued by higher education institutions using blockchain technology, and inviting ALECSO to strengthen Arab cooperation in the field of scientific research.
