The Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE), in strategic collaboration with the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore and the support of the UAE Embassy, hosted a high-profile symposium in Singapore titled “Reimagining the Future of Teaching & Learning in the Age of AI: Values-Driven Human Flourishing.” The event underscored the growing UAE-Singapore cooperation in rethinking education for a tech-empowered, values-centered future.
Policy and Academic Leaders Converge on Education’s AI Future
The symposium convened senior policymakers, academics, and researchers to explore the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education. Core discussions focused on the evolving role of educators in the AI age, system design for equity and ethics, and ways to integrate professional excellence in teacher training.
UAE Reaffirms AI as a Pillar of Education Reform
In his opening remarks, H.E. Jamal Abdullah Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Singapore, emphasized the UAE’s strategic commitment to education innovation. He noted, “Our leadership recently announced that AI will be taught across all grades in UAE public schools starting next academic year. This is not about adopting tools—it’s about rethinking education entirely.”
H.E. Al Suwaidi stressed that addressing AI’s ethical and technological challenges requires international cooperation, stating: “AI presents immense opportunities but also raises critical questions—data privacy, ethics, digital well-being. The UAE-Singapore partnership embodies the kind of global collaboration we need.”
ECAE’s Mission: Bridging Research, Policy, and Innovation
Dr. May Laith Al Taee, Vice Chancellor of ECAE, described the symposium as a vital step in the college’s mission to bridge policy and practice. “We believe meaningful, scalable educational change is only possible through global partnerships rooted in shared values,” she said. “This collaboration with NIE shows how aligned visions can shape education that is both high-tech and deeply human.”
Panel Insights: Anchoring AI in Human-Centric Education
The panel brought together renowned education leaders, including Prof. Low Ee Ling (NIE), Dr. Seng Chee Tan (NIE), Prof. David Pedder (ECAE), and Prof. Shaljan Areepattamannil (ECAE), each offering unique insights into AI’s educational transformation.
Prof. Low emphasized the importance of values-driven teacher education: “AI may enhance how we teach, but it can’t replace the human connection. We remain student-centered, evidence-informed, and professionally anchored.”
Dr. Seng explored the necessity of thoughtful pedagogy, advocating for frameworks like “learning from, with, about, and beyond AI.” He noted, “Timeless learning design must uphold creativity, insight, and meaningful interaction—qualities AI cannot replace.”
Prof. Pedder discussed integrating AI to support cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Referencing ECAE’s National Competency Framework, he stated: “We embed AI as a cross-programmatic theme to prepare educators for real-world complexity, ensuring they can create inclusive, tech-savvy learning environments.”
Prof. Areepattamannil highlighted the potential of AI models to enhance real-time student analytics, while cautioning against risks like bias and privacy breaches. “We must pair technology with human judgment and equity safeguards,” he said.
Shared Vision for Future-Ready, Inclusive Education
The symposium concluded with remarks from Prof. Woon Chia, Director of NIE, who celebrated the deepening UAE-Singapore partnership. She emphasized the need for agile, AI-empowered education systems that remain inclusive and values-driven, noting: “Policymaking must evolve alongside technology to ensure relevance and resilience.”
Strategic Framework for Educational Excellence: Building Global-Ready Educators
This symposium follows a 2023 strategic agreement between ECAE and NIE under the second phase of ECAE’s Strategic Framework for Educational Excellence. The initiative seeks to elevate the UAE’s education system by preparing educators as global leaders grounded in Emirati values and empowered by innovation.
Through collaborative research, advanced teacher training, and policy partnerships, the framework is developing future-ready educators equipped to lead and inspire in an AI-powered world.
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