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The Madinah Education Forum, inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah Region, concluded its activities on Tuesday, with a wide attendance of leaders, experts, and academics. The forum's panel discussions and workshops addressed key issues focusing on education quality in line with Saudi Arabia's competitive advantages, educational sustainability, quality of life, international partnerships, investment in education, and emerging industries and professions. These topics align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, turning its objectives into tangible outcomes.
The second day's events opened with a panel discussion on educational sustainability, quality of life, and international partnerships, moderated by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Marwani. The discussion featured Dr. Adel Al-Oufi, Executive Director of the Madinah Autism Association; Dr. Raafat Mahmoud Shgadar, Mental Health Supervisor at Taibah University; and Dr. Sultan Salama, Sustainability Unit Supervisor at Taibah University. The speakers discussed linking education to the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education, as well as the design of educational environments that promote the psychological and physical well-being of students and academics. They also emphasized developing sustainable quality standards to increase the competitiveness of educational institutions, with the recognition that international partnerships are essential for exchanging expertise and creating impactful educational programs.
Additionally, a workshop titled Sustainability in Education was held, led by Prof. Aisha Al-Omari and Dr. Zaid Awida. They reviewed sustainable quality standards and the importance of integrating innovation and modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and hybrid learning, into the education system.
The second panel discussion focused on investment in education, emerging industries, and professions. Moderated by Dr. Suhail Abdullah Shafi, the discussion included Dr. Rannad Al-Makhadwi, Supervisor of Investment Management at Taibah University; Mr. Talal Farsi, Managing Director of Madinah Schools for Education; and Dr. Faisal Al-Shihri, Dean of the College of Business Administration. The panel explored the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship into university and school curricula, as well as the development of training programs in collaboration with local industrial and commercial sectors. They also discussed future industries with the highest demand for skilled workers and the importance of investing in human capital as a strategic option to align with economic and social transformations. Moreover, Eng. Ghaidaa Al-Bakri led a workshop titled Investment in Education, discussing the best models for partnership between universities, schools, and industries to create lasting impact. She highlighted the role of general education in developing early skills linked to the labor market.
The first day's sessions kicked off with a workshop on education quality, presented by Dr. Sami Omar Al-Hussain, CEO of Zaka'at, followed by a panel discussion titled Education Quality According to Saudi Arabia’s Relative and Competitive Advantage and Global Perspective, moderated by Prof. Mohammed Salem Al-Harthi. The discussion featured Mr. Nasser Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim, Director of Education in Madinah Region; Mr. Fahd Ahmed Al-Imam, Executive Director of Taibah Educational City for Special Education; and Prof. Niyaf Rashid Al-Jabri, Executive Director of the Research Center for Evaluation, Measurement, and Accreditation. The panel addressed strategies for integrating local heritage and culture into curricula to strengthen national identity, as well as strategies for positioning Saudi universities as competitive global centers. They also discussed the role of assessment, evaluation, and data in driving educational performance, and presented the experience of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission as a leading internationally recognized model.
