WISE Words

In this episode of WISE On Air, we sit down with Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui, Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women, to explore a bold, values-based approach to education. From reviving traditional knowledge to balancing critical thinking with community, this conversation reimagines what meaningful learning can look like.

What if the answers to today's climate crisis were rooted in centuries-old traditions? In this special edition of WISE On Air, recorded live from Earthna Summit 2025, we sit down with Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the IUCN, to explore the powerful role of indigenous knowledge in reimagining sustainability and education. From traditional ecological practices to the impact of social media and technology on youth learning. This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of legacy, innovation, and the future of our planet.

In this episode of WISE On Air, Host & CEO of WISE, Stavros Yiannouka delves into the transformative power of relationships in education with Isabelle Hau, author of "Love to Learn" and Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. As educational systems worldwide continue to prioritize test scores and academic achievement, Hau presents compelling evidence that early loving relationships might be the true foundation of learning and thriving. Isabelle shares insights on: -How relationships physically shape brain development and learning capacity -The growing "relational crisis" affecting children's development and what's driving it -Where technology and AI fit within relationship-centered learning -Practical approaches to prioritize connection in schools, homes and communities Whether you're an educator, parent, or policymaker, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what truly matters in learning. Join us as we explore the science behind human connection and consider how "relational intelligence" might become a new metric for success in education. Purchase Isabelle's book, 'Love to Learn': https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/isabelle-c-hau/love-to-learn/9781541703773/ Resources mentioned in the discussion: Pretend play research (Sansanwal, 2014): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266081256_Sansanwal_S_2014_Pretend_play_enhances_creativity_and_imagination_Journal_of_Arts_and_Humanities_31_70-83 2024 Phone usage study: https://itc.ua/en/news/study-people-checked-their-phones-an-average-of-205-times-a-day-in-2024-every-5-minutes-excluding-sleep/ Childhood neglect impact on brain development: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/06/neglect Early life adversity and neural development: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-04894-001?doi=1 Neural synchrony between students and teachers: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abq4786 ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

WISE On Air #108 is a special chaptered edition of our education podcast, recorded live during the I AM QF 30th Anniversary Celebration. Brought to you by WISE — the global platform for innovators in education — this episode brings together 13 insightful conversations with students, educators, researchers, and leaders from across Qatar Foundation and beyond. From classroom transformation and labor market shifts, to AI, equity, access, and the future of Education City — this episode explores the most pressing questions and bold ideas shaping the future of learning.

In this episode of WISE On Air, host of this episode and Director of Research at WISE, Selma Talha-Jebril talks to Manos Antoninis, Director of the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, to discuss the recently launched 2024/5 GEM Report and the UNESCO-World Bank Education Finance Watch 2024. Manos brings decades of expertise in global education policy and leadership, offering critical insights into the most pressing issues, including severe funding disparities, political influence on education systems, and the growing need for empowered educational leaders. He sheds light on how we can overcome these challenges and push toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 for inclusive, equitable education worldwide. Read the UNESCO GEM Report: https://bit.ly/4bfK2Lo Read the Education Finance Watch 2024 Report: https://bit.ly/4kjtdDB --- If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf 00:00 Introduction: The State of Global Education 00:27 Welcome to Wise On Air 00:43 Leadership and Education Investment 01:58 Interview with Manos Antoninis 02:34 Stagnation in Global Education Progress 08:01 The Role of School Leaders 15:54 Autonomy in School Leadership 21:32 Education Finance Disparities 24:15 Global Financial Systems and Education 32:24 The Role of International Organizations 38:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of WISE On Air, we dive into an unprecedented global research initiative exploring artificial intelligence's impact on higher education. Through conversations with research leads from six institutions across five continents, we uncover how different regions are approaching AI integration in universities and preparing students for an AI-powered future. Our guests share insights on various critical aspects of AI in higher education, from curriculum integration and faculty development to ethical considerations and workforce preparation. From the halls of an Ivy League institution in the United States to a pioneering university in Kazakhstan, from Spain to India, and beyond - each perspective adds a unique dimension to our understanding of this transformative moment in education. As part of WISE's latest research initiative, these institutions are collaborating to produce one of the most comprehensive global studies on AI in higher education. The findings, set to be presented at the WISE 12 Summit in Fall 2025, promise to provide actionable insights for education leaders worldwide. Join us for this enlightening discussion that bridges cultural contexts and institutional approaches to one of education's most pressing challenges: adapting higher education for the age of artificial intelligence. Learn more about the WISE & IIE Global Research Consortium: https://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-works/wise-research/ Nazarbayev University: https://nu.edu.kz/ Universidad de los Andes: https://www.uniandes.edu.co/ BITS Pilani: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/ Ashesi University: https://ashesi.edu.gh/ Universidad Camilo José Cela: https://www.ucjc.edu/ University of Pennsylvania: https://www.upenn.edu/ Subscribe to WISE On Air: pod.link/wiseonair Thank you to our participating guest speakers: - Natalia Lara - Universidad Camilo José Cela, Spain - Joseph Kwame Adjei - Ashesi University, Ghana - Jagat Sesh Challa - BITS Pilani, India - Elaine Sharplin - Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan - Peter Eckel - University of Pennsylvania, United States - Mirka Martel - International Institute of Education 00:00 Introduction to the WISE and IIE Global Research Consortium 00:36 Overview of the Research Initiative 01:44 Exploring AI Integration in Higher Education 02:35 Institutional Approaches to AI 04:34 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption 05:37 Global Perspectives on AI in Education 23:15 Ethical Considerations and Risks of AI 30:41 Focus Areas of the Research Consortium 42:51 Conclusion and Future Outlook ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

In this episode of WISE On Air, we explore the intersection of innovation and education with Alexander Nicholas, Executive Vice President of Learning & Society at XPRIZE. Drawing from his experience leading educational initiatives at the Gates Foundation and now at XPRIZE, Alexander shares insights on how prize competitions can catalyze transformative solutions in education. Alexander discusses XPRIZE's unique approach to tackling global challenges, from their first space competition to their current work across seven domains including education. He explains how their "brain trust" methodology brings together diverse experts to frame problems and design prizes that drive real impact. Through examples like their global learning prize that reached millions of students in Tanzania, we explore how prize competitions can validate educational technology and create new standards for efficacy. The conversation delves into Alexander's vision of democratized education, where high-quality learning becomes "demonetized, delocalized and moving into the fabric of society." He shares thoughtful perspectives on how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies might help realize this vision, while emphasizing the importance of keeping solutions globally relevant and contextual. Join us as we examine how prize competitions could help transform education systems and create more equitable access to learning opportunities worldwide. Learn more about XPRIZE: https://www.xprize.org ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

At age eight, Zoya Kalinsky was instructed to leave the classroom by her math's teacher who told her she can only come back when she "stops twitching." - a condition outside of her control. Today, that same girl stands confidently in the United Nations Economic and Social Council chamber, addressing global leaders about her experience, the need to solve the bullying issue once and for all, and how we can transform our education systems to achieve that. In this episode, we meet Zoya at thirteen, fresh from speaking at the UN's Summit of the Future and launching ambitious initiatives as Skyway's youth ambassador. The Learning Economy established the Skyway initiative to address the growing need for a modernized approach to learning, as many existing systems struggle to keep up with the demands of an evolving, interconnected global society. Zoya is one of many students pioneering this novel learning model of change. But Zoya isn't just talking about change – she's living it. Between addressing world leaders and developing youth councils, she composes piano pieces about resilience, creates artwork that challenges bullying, and advocates for young voices in rooms where decisions about their future are made - often without their consent. In this episode WISE Director Elyas Felfoul sits down with Zoya to explore how she's experiencing a whole new way of learning with new technologies that could help create a system where no child feels left behind. Together, they unpack what it really means to transform education in an AI-powered world, and why having young people at the decision-making table isn't just important – it's essential. Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair Learn more about Zoya: 1. Instagram @zoyakalinsky 2. Website www.zoyakalinsky.com 3. UN anti-bullying speech Nov 2023 https://youtu.be/y_zbZH4fZaU?si=dcGWNS5P-ESh980S 4. Closing remarks and speech for AGIP Youth Power Summit Sept 2024 https://youtu.be/LZOp2X5_1O8?si=UkgnVmLv83LMOysQ 5. Blue Gallery NYC piano performance 2024 https://youtu.be/JoKVmlEWyGw?si=Iv9giXtNx5rn7Z1q 6. Skyway fundraising dinner NYC 2024 https://youtu.be/WPeX83dCdMA?si=zFkFLWND3YL-l_3m 7. iLead Hybrid School press release https://ileadschools.org/ilead-hybrid-7th-grader-zoya-kalinsky-addresses-united-nations/ 00:00 Introduction to Skyway and Its Mission 00:45 Meet Zoya Kalinsky: A Journey from Bullying to Advocacy 03:30 Zoya's Homeschooling Experience and Advocacy 09:44 The Role of AI and Technology in Education 16:14 Zoya's Involvement with International Organizations 17:40 The Importance of Youth in Decision-Making 21:13 Traveling and Learning: A Homeschooling Perspective 24:38 Art and Music: Tools for Advocacy 29:05 Future Plans and Upcoming Events

Purchase The Disengaged Teen at https://rebeccawinthrop.com --- In this episode of WISE On Air, we dive into a critical conversation about teen disengagement with Rebecca Winthrop, co-author of the newly released book "The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better." Rebecca, who serves as a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, brings fresh insights from her groundbreaking research, which reveals a startling disconnect: while parents think 60% of kids love school, the reality is that by 12th grade, only 25% actually do. Her book, which launched with conversations featuring Gayle King and Drew Barrymore on Oprah Daily, offers a powerful framework for understanding how teens engage with learning and what we can do to help them thrive. Through extensive research involving hundreds of interviews with students, parents, and educators, Rebecca and her co-author Jenny Anderson identify four distinct modes of engagement that shape how teens approach learning. More importantly, they provide practical strategies for parents and educators to help teens develop what they call "explorer muscles" - the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. The timing couldn't be more crucial. With rapid technological changes and evolving workplace demands, helping teens become engaged learners isn't just about academic success - it's about preparing them for a future where adaptability and self-directed learning are essential skills. To learn more about Rebecca's work and upcoming book events in New York, DC, and LA, visit rebeccawinthrop.com. Subscribe to WISE On Air on your preferred podcast app: https://pod.link/wiseonair 00:00 The Need for Explorer Skills in the Modern World 00:43 Introduction 02:05 Rebecca Winthrop's Personal Motivation and Book Overview 04:09 Defining and Understanding Student Engagement 10:13 The Four Modes of Engagement 14:46 Examples of Successful Explorer Mode Schools 23:01 Pathways to Achieving Explorer Mode 28:04 Balancing Different Modes of Engagement 30:24 Balancing Achievement and Mental Health 30:51 The Need for Explorer Skills in the Modern World 32:35 Teachers' Role in Fostering Engagement 33:33 Practical Strategies for Teachers 36:14 Professional Development for Teachers 38:42 System-Level Changes in Education 42:36 Parents' Role in Supporting Engagement 47:47 Encouraging Autonomy and Agency in Kids 53:04 Rethinking Success and College Admissions 01:00:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts For more information about WISE: http://www.wise-qatar.org Follow WISE on Twitter: http://twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Like WISE on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wiseqatar Follow WISE on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/wiseqatar

Did you know that while many industries around the world have developed and utilized sophisticated market intelligence systems to track impact, the education sector, despite its immense size and importance, has historically lacked comprehensive data and insights? And by comprehensive, we mean data that is actionable. This observation led Maria Spies to co-found HolonIQ in 2018, which has since become one of the world's leading providers of education impact intelligence. In an exciting recent development, HolonIQ has been acquired by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, marking a significant milestone in the consolidation of global education data and analytics. As Co-CEO of HolonIQ, Maria has been working at the intersection of education, business, and technology for nearly three decades. Her journey began in the late 1990s, building online courses when distance learning was still rudimentary. Today, she leads a platform that analyzes data across education, climate, and health sectors, providing crucial insights for governments, investors, and institutions worldwide. In this episode, WISE Director and host Elyas Felfoul explores with Maria the evolution of education technology, the five scenarios shaping the future of education, and what current market trends tell us about where the sector is heading. From the impact of COVID-19 on EdTech adoption to the changing dynamics of investment in the sector, Maria offers unique insights into how data and intelligence are reshaping our understanding of global education. Learn more about HolonIQ: https://www.holoniq.com/ Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------

Will AI revolutionize the way teachers work? In this episode of WISE On Air, we explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in education with Younes Mourri, founder of LiveTech.AI and AI instructor at Stanford University. Younes shares insights from his journey from a classroom in Tangier to Silicon Valley, discussing how AI can: -Reduce administrative burdens on teachers -Personalize learning experiences for students -Address educational challenges in the MENA region -Implement AI systems at a national scale Join WISE Director Elyas Felfoul and Younes Mourri as they delve into the future of AI-powered education and its potential to enhance both teaching and learning experiences globally.

What if Einstein, Tesla, or Edison had AI on their side? What could they have achieved in their lifetime? As artificial intelligence and extended reality technologies advance at an unprecedented pace, these aren't just hypothetical questions – they're glimpses into a future that's rapidly approaching. In this episode of WISE On Air, host Elyas Felfoul speaks with Alvin Wang Graylin about the future of education in an AI-powered metaverse. Key points discussed include: 1. The rapid advancement of AI and XR (Extended Reality) technologies and their potential impact on society and education. 2. How AI could provide personalized, immersive learning experiences that unlock human potential at an unprecedented scale. 3. The concept of a global metaverse as a platform for education, creativity, and human interaction. 4. The importance of developing a global, collaborative approach to AI development to ensure it benefits all of humanity. 5. The potential for AI to address educational inequalities by providing high-quality education to anyone, anywhere. 6. The shift in focus from STEM skills to "soft skills" like critical thinking, ethics, and human interaction in an AI-driven world. 7. The need for policymakers to understand and prepare for the societal changes brought about by AI and the metaverse. 8. The potential for AI and the metaverse to create new economic models and change our relationship with work. 9. The importance of aligning AI development with human values and ethics. 10. The role of education in preparing future generations for a world where AI is ubiquitous. Alvin shares both optimistic and cautionary perspectives on these technologies, emphasizing the need for thoughtful implementation and global cooperation. He argues that while these technologies present challenges, they also offer unprecedented opportunities to solve global problems and enhance human potential. For more insights on this topic, check out Alvin Wang Graylin's book "Our Next Reality: How AI and the Metaverse Will Shape Our Future: https://ournextreality.com/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

In this episode of WISE On Air, we dive into the heart of Africa's burgeoning tech scene with Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures and Director of Entrepreneurship at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Discover how Morocco is positioning itself as the next Silicon Valley of Africa, and learn about the ambitious vision behind UM6P, often called the 'Stanford of Africa'. Yassine shares insights on: The untapped potential of Morocco and Africa in innovation How UM6P is nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs The role of deep tech in solving global challenges The art and science of venture capital in emerging markets Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or simply curious about the future of innovation in Africa, this conversation offers invaluable insights into a rapidly evolving ecosystem. Join us as we explore how Yassine and his team are working to prove that it is indeed possible to reinvent the future of the world in Africa. Learn more about UM6P Deep Tech Summit: https://deeptech.um6p.ma/en/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Imagine a future where AI tutors personalize learning for every student, where machines grade homework and provide instant feedback, freeing up teachers to focus on higher-level instruction. This future may be closer than you think. With such technologies continuing to advance at an unprecedented pace, it's clear that we are on the cusp of a transformative era in education. What will the trajectory for learning in schools be when this technology goes mainstream? In this episode of WISE On Air, we delve into the heart of this revolution with Katja Sirazitdinova, Senior Deep Learning Data Scientist at NVIDIA. As someone working at the forefront of this technology's development, she has unique insights and expertise into the transformations we should come to expect. Join WISE Director and Host of this episode Elyas Felfoul in conversation with Katja to get a glimpse of what those front and center are thinking when it comes to deep learning and AI. Learn more about NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/ Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

This episode of Wise On Air features a discussion with Abdallah Abu Sheikh, a young entrepreneur from the Middle East and founder of Astratech and CEO of Botim. The conversation, hosted by WISE Director Elyas Felfoul delves into Abdallah's unconventional journey through education, his critique of traditional education systems, and his views on failure as a gateway to success. Abdallah shares insights from his own experiences, highlighting the significance of learning from failure, the limitations of conventional schooling, and the potential transformative impact of AI on education and the job market. The episode explores the importance of developing a resilient, dynamic approach to learning and problem-solving in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Learn more about Astratech: https://astratech.ae/ Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

How will major global forces such as demographic changes, resource stress, technology, and economic power shifts change our future? To answer this question WISE Director and Host of this episode Elyas Felfoul sits down with award winning media executive and entrepreneur Ana Rold. Ana is the founder of Diplomatic Courier which is a flagship network and magazine for top diplomats in the US and key capitals around the world. She founded the World in 2050 project in 2012 which has since convened over 20,000 stakeholders in various private and public sectors. Based on their findings so far we can observe 5 key mega trends that shape the trajectory towards our future. Tune in to WISE On Air to hear more. (This episode was recorded in September 2023 during the UNGA) Learn more about Diplomatic Courier: https://www.diplomaticourier.com Learn more about World in 2050: https://worldin2050.diplomaticourier.com Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

1 billion+ young people are expected to enter the workforce this decade - how can we ensure that young people are equipped and have access to as many opportunities as possible? Meet Taha and Omar Bawa, the brothers behind Goodwall. Goodwall is an app and online platform that upskills young talent and prepares them for future career success. While they develop skills, Goodwall support them to drive change and tackle global challenges, from the climate crisis to mental health. Some have described Goodwall as a platform that mixes LinkedIn with TikTok - making for a space that resonates with Gen Z and also enables them to learn and showcase skills to prospective employers. Since founding Goodwall, they have helped 2 million+ young people, 60% female, in more than 150 countries navigate their learning and earning journeys. Omar and Taha started Goodwall to inspire and encourage the next generation to achieve more and impact society positively. Stay tuned to hear WISE Director and Host of this episode Elyas Felfoul as he delves deeper into how the idea for Goodwall came about, and how skills are going to be the currency of the future of work. Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair Learn more about Goodwall: https://www.goodwall.io/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

What are the key skills we need to craft AI-resilient minds? In this episode of WISE On Air, Kian Katanforoosh and Mary Burns navigate the nexus of higher education and burgeoning AI-driven job markets. As a leading Computer Science Lecturer at Stanford as well as Founder & CEO of Workera, Kian holds a birds eye view into AI's complex realms. Meanwhile, Mary works across the globe as an online instructor, curriculum development specialist, instructional designer, evaluator and researcher on effective e-learning programs for teachers and students. Join us as we aim to pinpoint X essential skills to thrive in an AI-centric future. Learn more about Mary Burns: https://bit.ly/3Ub5bQo Learn more about Workera: https://workera.ai Are you developing an innovative solution that can change the world? Apply for the WISE Prize before 15 March: https://bit.ly/48HmNYw ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

How can educators evolve alongside AI to drive student-centered learning? In this episode, Mark Kabban of Examined Leadership Collective and Pelonomi Moiloa of Lelapa AI share insights on AI's role in future classrooms. With experience in data-driven education, Mark provides a unique lens into skills needed in tech-enabled classrooms. Meanwhile, Pelonomi's AI development experience sheds light on human barriers to adoption. Join us for a timely conversation exploring how teachers can best utilize AI as a collaborative tool rather than competitor. We examine risks, limitations and opportunities to position educators to lead in the algorithmic age, with their irreplaceable human strengths intact. Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair Learn more about Lelapi AI: https://lelapa.ai/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Can education truly be a beacon of hope and change in the midst of a crisis? Or do we need to fundamentally rethink its utility? In this special episode of WISE On Air, we sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and advocate for sustainable development, to explore this pivotal question. As we navigate through the complexities of ongoing conflicts like in Gaza and the far-reaching impacts of the AI revolution, Dr. Sachs lends his insights into how technology, policy, and sustainable finance can reshape education in times of crisis. We delve into the potential of AI and other innovations in providing scalable education solutions where traditional systems are challenged by extraordinary circumstances. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that not only highlights the challenges but also uncovers the opportunities for education to act as a catalyst for resilience and equity in our dynamic world. Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

How can technology and AI amplify grassroots efforts to advance gender equity in education? In this episode of WISE On Air, 2023 WISE Prize for Education Laureate Safeena Husain shares her insights from over 16 years of empowering girls in hard to reach areas. As founder of Educate Girls, Safeena pioneered community-based models to enroll over 1 million girls in school and boosted learning for over 1.9 million children. Her on-the-ground experience provides a unique lens into uplifting education at the grassroots level. Join host Aurelio Amaral for a conversation that explores to what extent AI can catalyze systemic change - when combined with grassroots efforts. Learn more about Educate Girls: https://www.educategirls.ngo Relive the WISE 11 Experience: https://youtu.be/u8ENVoiIAiM?si=2i77Z8lW5UzPvZTP Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Register for the WISE 11 Summit - Doha, Qatar (28-29 Nov 2023): https://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-11/ As a result of the worst shock to education and learning in history, “learning poverty”—the percentage of 10-year-olds unable to read and understand a simple written text—has increased to 70%, according to the World Bank. And on top of that, we have constantly been hearing the word ‘reform' quite a lot especially since the pandemic. A growing consensus that emphasizes the need for educaiton systems to not only prioritize academic skills, but teach students how to navigate uncertainty and change. In a world where educational landscapes are increasingly complex and challenging, a pivotal question arises: Is collective leadership the key to building a path towards systemic change in education? Does there need to be a more unified effort to achieve these changes, and how do we go about that? To answer these questions, we are honored to have Wendy Kopp, Founder & CEO of Teach For All and 2021 WISE Prize for Education Laureate, as our guest. Wendy's vision of leadership aligns seamlessly with these emerging trends. In this episode, Host of this episode Aurelio Amaral talks to Wendy on redefining education leadership in the face of current challenges and opportunities. They will delve into perspectives on equipping students for an ever-changing future, the importance of unlearning outdated mindsets, and the role of technology in education. Read our latest report on collaborative leadership in education: https://www.wise-qatar.org/collaborative-leadership-report-2023/ Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair Learn more about Teach For All: https://teachforall.org

As the metaverse continues to evolve from fiction to reality, with platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Meta gaining popularity, should we be concerned about its implications, especially for our children? The Metaverse has had a tumultuous development to say the least - last year following its reveal there was a lot of hype surrounding the potential of what it can be. But the conversation quickly died down with recent leaps in AI development taking center stage. But with recent news of hyperrealistic podcasts now being filmed in the Metaverse, we're starting to get a glimpse of what this technology will entail in the future. With the concept of the metaverse still being an ambiguous concept to many, it's important to go past the hype and consider the safety and privacy implications of this technology. To shed light on this issue, Founder of Bracket Capital, Yalda Aoukar shares alarming statistics about the rise in online child exploitation and abuse. She discusses how predators are using online gaming and metaverse platforms to target children. Yalda provides perspective on whether big tech companies are doing enough to address these problems. She also talks about actions stakeholders like parents and policymakers can take to improve child safety online. Join this insightful conversation with WISE Director and Host Elyas Felfoul as Yalda highlights the work still needed to make the metaverse and internet a safer place for kids. Bracket Foundation: https://www.bracketfoundation.org Gaming and the Metaverse report: https://bit.ly/45vm6zi ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

In this episode, we talk to four young Tunisians who are making waves in their fields of education, filmmaking, public policy, computer science, and edtech. They share their stories, insights, and perspectives on how AI is shaping the future of education, employment, and technology in Tunisia and the region. We also explore the impact and implications of AI and other new technologies on their own work and personal relations. Samy Chaffai, a filmmaker, content creator, and animal rights advocate who is pursuing a PhD in filmmaking. He is the founder of two YouTube channels, Ti 3leh and Samy Chaffaï, where he produces videos on various topics, such as comedy, education, culture, and social issues. His short movie, Prison of Numbers, premiered in the Pathe movie theaters in Tunis and Sousse in 2021, making him the first YouTuber in Tunisian history to debut a short movie on the big screen. Nesrine Mbarek, a student, activist, and researcher who is interested in public policy, gender issues, and economic development in the Middle East and North Africa. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School as an Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellow. She graduated from Stanford University with honors in history, focusing on the modern Middle East. She was the president of the American Middle Eastern Network for Dialogue at Stanford and one of the core initiators of Tunisia88, a national project introducing a music program in every high school in Tunisia. Hajar Boughoula, a software engineer with a knack for crafting beautiful solutions, she has dedicated 7+ years to programming in diverse fields . Specializing in web development, data management & analysis, and Image & Natural Language Processing , Hajar has been enveloped in the world of coding since the age of 13, culminating in extensive experience in engineering and implementing optimal solutions across a wide range of industry software needs.From creating research-focused software for NASA's Mission to Psyche, to leading tech teams at the Red Crescent in building enterprise management software, she's had the privilege to work on exclusive and complex projects that have shaped her into the well-rounded developer she is today. Anis Kallel, an entrepreneur, engineer, and content creator who is working on financial inclusion and digital transformation in Africa. He is the co-founder and CTO of Kaoun, a fintech startup that offers a financial super app called Flouci that allows individuals and businesses to create a free bank account and a mobile wallet via smartphone, and access a range of financial and governmental services. He studied computer science and business at the University of Rochester, where he was awarded a full tuition scholarship. He is a Fellow at Harambeans, an alliance of African entrepreneurs, and was nominated as one of the top 100 leaders of tomorrow at the St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland. ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

chool leadership is critical, but investment has declined. Our guests on this episode of WISE On Air want to transform education by transforming leadership. Dr. Asmaa Al-Fadala, Dominic Regester, and Anthony Mackay lead WISE ALL-IN, a network reimagining leadership through research, training, and advocacy. Their goal is to modernize education to prepare learners for today's world. But change takes more than policy. Their lived experiences fueled their drive for systemic change, from role models to seeing inequities firsthand. Their journeys show why leadership matters. We discuss the challenges we face, why leadership is so critical, and how they are building a community to transform education's future. Join us as we explore their vision, insights, and why education transformation starts with leadership transformation. ------ Relevant links: Learn more about WISE ALL-IN: https://www.wise-qatar.org/all-in/ Dr. Asmaa Al-Fadala: https://www.wise-qatar.org/biography/asmaa-al-fadala/ Dominic Regester: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/people?userID=33260&viewType=2&cHash=7b27068a13cf0497960582a3beaafae3 Anthony Mackay: https://www.oecd.org/site/forum-world-education/speakers/Anthony_Mackay_FWE19_BIO.pdf ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

How can artificial intelligence breakthroughs be taken out of the lab and positively impact industries worldwide? In this episode, join Elyas and entrepreneur Chibeza Agley, co-founder of education technology company Obrizum, for an insightful discussion on the evolution of AI and its expanding applications. Learn how Chibeza, with a background in stem cell research, made the transition to successful startup founder leveraging AI to enable personalized learning and optimize knowledge transfer. Discover how Obrizum overcame perceptions, built diverse teams, and invested early in AI to provide value for organizations across sectors. Chibeza provides perspective on why quality measurement and data are integral to their approach, along with the importance of inventing ethically with AI. ------ Relevant links: BBC Article with AI Godfather: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65452940 Learn about Obrizum: https://obrizum.com/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia, composed of more than 7,000 islands. It has a population of over 110 million people, making it the 13th most populous country in the world. It is also one of the most diverse countries in terms of culture, language, religion, and ethnicity. Education is a key factor in the development and progress of any country, and the Philippines is no exception. According to the World Bank, the Philippines has made significant improvements in its education system over the past decades, such as increasing enrollment rates, reducing dropout rates, and improving learning outcomes. However, there are still many challenges and gaps that need to be addressed, such as access to quality education and equity of opportunities. One of the pioneers and leaders of EdTech in the Philippines looking to bridge that gap is WISE accelerator cohort Edukasyon which is a social enterprise that empowers youth in the Philippines and around the world to make informed decisions about their education and career paths. Edukasyon.ph was founded by Henry Motte-Muñoz in 2013 after he realized that many Filipino students lacked access to information and guidance on their education options. Since then, Edukasyon.ph has grown to become one of the most successful and influential platforms in the Philippines, reaching over 10 million students across the country, while partnering with various stakeholders such as schools, government agencies, and media outlets. In today's episode, WISE Director Elyas Felfoul goes one on one with the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, to learn more about his personal story growing up, Henry's vision for the future of education in the global south, and some of Henry's thoughts on what AI entails in underserved contexts. ------ Relevant links: https://www.edukasyon.ph ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

In this episode, we talk about a region that is often overlooked in the global edtech landscape: the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA. MENA is home to more than 400 million people, with a young and tech-savvy population, a growing demand for quality education, and a huge potential for digital transformation. But despite these favorable conditions, MENA's edtech sector has been lagging behind other regions in terms of investment, innovation, and adoption. Why is that? And what are the opportunities and challenges for edtech entrepreneurs and investors in this region? To answer these questions, we speak to Nafez Dakkak, managing partner of BLDR ventures. Nafez has had extensive experience studying, analyzing, and working in MENA's education sector, helping spearhead Edraak, an online learning platform that serves millions of learners across the Arab world. He has also served as a senior advisor at the Queen Rania Foundation for more than 6 years. Tune in to hear Host and WISE Director, Elyas Felfoul take Nafez for a deep dive into the world of edtech and its implications for the region. ------ Relevant links: Read Nafez's article on the sleeping giant: https://nafez.substack.com/p/mena-edtechs-sleeping-giant Nafez's article on the gameboy: https://nafez.substack.com/p/the-gameboy-instead-of-the-metaverse ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

With the breakneck speed of modern technology's evolution, differences of opinion on its role in the classroom often turn into bitter divisions. How can we better understand these viewpoints, taking them into consideration while also trying to keep up with the pace of technology? To answer these questions In this episode we speak to Manos Antoninis, director of Unesco's global education monitoring report (or simply GEM) about their newly released report examining the question of ‘technology in education - on whose terms?'. The conversation covers a slew of interesting key insights from the GEM report, the role of governments in regulating tech, the hidden costs of technology in the classroom, positive vs negative outcomes, and much more. Listen to this full episode of WISE On Air featuring WISE Research Manager and Host of this episode, Selma Talha-Jebril in conversation with Manos Antoninis. Special thanks to Unesco and the GEM Report team. ------ Relevant links: GEM Report: https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/technology ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

In this episode of WISE On Air, we delve into the world of learning ecosystems and explore how they can revolutionize education in the 21st century. As our formal education sector lags behind the rapid advancements of the digital age, we need to reinvent our approach to learning and knowledge. Education is no longer solely about delivering content; it's about learning how to learn, question, and interpret information in a critical manner. Our guests, Rosie Clayton and Sebastien Turbot, bring their expertise to the table. Rosie is an education specialist and Co-Founder of the Weaving Lab, which focuses on developing global expertise in learning ecosystems. With her extensive research experience at WISE, she expands our understanding of the field. Sebastien, now working with Earthna as the Director of Content and External Affairs, has a long history with WISE and recently led the publication on designing learning ecosystems, serving as a playbook for those interested in advancing the concept. Together, we explore the concept of learning ecosystems and their potential to transform education. We discuss the various definitions and mappings of these ecosystems, the trends and best practices that have emerged, and how we can bring together stakeholders to solve education challenges on a larger scale. We also delve into the importance of community engagement and the role it plays in fostering lifelong learning. Join us as we uncover the exciting potential of learning ecosystems and discover how we can all get involved as stakeholders, regardless of our backgrounds. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration for advancing education in the digital age. ------ Relevant links: Read the WISE Learning Ecosystems Playbook: https://www.wise-qatar.org/playbook-designing-learning-ecosystems/ Earthna: https://www.earthna.qa/ The Weaving Lab: https://weavinglab.org/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

This episode is brought to you and produced by the Education City Speaker Series, a Qatar Foundation platform for open knowledge and discussion which invites various speakers from around the world to share key insights about our world for free with the public. Check out more of their conversations here: https://www.qf.org.qa/ecss When Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (the organization behind ChatGPT and other tools like DALL-E) was invited to speak at Qatar Foundation's Education City Speaker Series, many from the Qatar Foundation community quickly flocked to secure their seats for the talk. Prior to the day, a poll was shared with the audience asking them how concerned they are about the impact of AI on our world. The results were interesting, with just 18% stating not at all, 30% said a little, and an overwhelming 51% responded ‘very concerned'. The results are arguably reflective of a global sentiment - another recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that while a majority of US citizens knew about ChatGPT, only 14% have actually ever used to the tool. What could the scenario be when looking through a global lens? We were lucky to have our WISE Director Elyas Felfoul lead the discussion with Sam Altman and get some more clarity on his perspective of how we should be responding to this technology, and we heard a fair share of intriguing insights on how he predicts this world will change after these tools begin to flourish. ------ Relevant links: Education City Speakers Series: https://bit.ly/3CIZMWS Learn more about OpenAI: https://openai.com ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

A few weeks ago, some of the top AI leaders in the world representing big names like OpenAI, Deepmind, and Google came together to sign a statement that urged caution to AI development worldwide. While there is plenty to be excited for, there is of course a lot of concern. Time Magazine recently wrote a piece comparing the development of this technology to the way nuclear energy was propagated. Some would even liken it to an AI arms race. Amidst this chaos of such easily accessible and generated information, we have to ask ourselves a fundamental question: Are our education systems falling behind in teaching us the most important lesson of all: the purpose and meaning of learning? In this episode of WISE On Air, Nadeem Nathoo, co-founder of The Knowledge Society (TKS), a global innovation program for teens aged 13-17. The conversation covers various topics related to emerging technologies and their impact on education, including the role of AI in education, how to develop a growth mindset, and the importance of understanding the purpose and meaning of learning. Nadeem also goes into detail about the founding of TKS and the program's approach to training young people to solve real-world problems using emerging technologies. ------ Relevant links: The Learning Society: https://tks.world Time Magazine article - AI is Not an Arms Race: https://bit.ly/3MY4SDb Learn more about GEF & WISE @ Medellin: https://www.wise-qatar.org/gef-wise-medellin/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Register to attend GEF & WISE at Medellin: https://bit.ly/3LvdEI9 ------ You've undoubtedly heard of ChatGPT, the AI tool that's captured the attention of everyone from students and teachers to policymakers and governments. But the reality is that the pace of AI's evolution is already lightyears ahead of our ability to respond. Recent updates to Open AI's tool has enabled it to edit videos, write research papers, create a webpage from a rough sketch drawn on a napkin, and even serve as your very own virtual assistant for just about anything. The speed of its advancement has even made Open AI's founder, Sam Altman, a bit apprehensive about the ways it will change the world. Given the many implications of this powerful tool, we would be naive to think that we could tackle this multifacted issue in just one episode. So this time, we'll focus on the essentials: what do we know about AI so far and how should education respond? Recently, WISE Director Elyas Felfoul took a trip to Stanford University. He was surprised to find that during a breakfast meeting, countless key stakeholders working in the heart of innovation were all caught off guard by this new technology. To gain more insights, Elyas sat down with Isabelle Hau and Paul Kim of Stanford to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of edtech, AI, and the role of technology in promoting innovation in education. Isabelle, Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, brings extensive experience in edtech to the conversation. And as a long time tech enthusiast, Paul, Associate Dean & CTO of Stanford, has dedicated much of his research to using tech to improve education and provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of integrating technology in education settings. Join Elyas, Isabelle, and Paul in this conversation to learn more about this new frontier of Artificial Intelligence. ------ Relevant links: MIT report on ChatGPT and writing: https://bit.ly/3HFYGy2 Isabelle Hau: https://www.isabellehau.com Paul Kim: https://bit.ly/3LxVXaX ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Apply for the WISE Edtech Accelerator before 14 April: http://bit.ly/40dVNLQ ------ With so many technological breakthroughs, have you ever wondered if there was a way we could better systemize the implementation of edtech in the classroom in a way that benefits teachers rather than creating unnecessary burdens? Enter the world of testbeds. Edtech testbeds are essentially environments where new Edtech tools and approaches can be developed and tested in a controlled setting. But why do we need testbeds in the first place? Despite the rapid growth of the edtech industry in the MENA region and globally, there are still significant challenges facing the sector, including limited access to funding and a lack of technical expertise. On top of that, there's a crucial need for better alignment between edtech products and local education needs. This is where edtech testbeds come in as a crucial bridge, connecting edtech companies with educators to develop innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of learners in the region and around the world. For the past two years, WISE has been building the MENA region's first edtech testbed, located in Qatar's Education City. In this episode, WISE Director Elyas Felfoul discusses the journey and key milestones of the project with Seungah Lee, a senior lecturer of social research and public policy at NYU Abu Dhabi and the lead researcher on Qatar's first edtech testbed. Together, they delve into insights they learned that could not only benefit the region's edtech development, but globally as a whole. ------ Relevant links: Download the Edtech Testbed Report for Free: http://bit.ly/3YPTvkU Seungah Lee: http://bit.ly/3mNDazE ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Last time on WISE On Air we were joined by three 2022 WISE Awards Winning Project holders, Janhvi Kanoria, Susan Mtana, and Tyler Samstag. We brought these innovators on the show because we're looking to decipher what does it take to unlock the potential of great ideas to transform education. In a rapidly evolving world, it can be argued that traditional education models are being constantly disrupted with the advent of new technological breakthroughs. In 2023 alone we're seeing massive strides with A.I. and machine learning for example. In fact, according to a report by HolonIQ, the global education market is estimated to reach $10 trillion by 2030, with a growing number of startups and investors seeking to revolutionize the sector. As we navigate these changes, it's important to understand what sets successful education initiatives apart. What can we learn from the ones that have made a real impact? In this second part episode, we'll dive into some of the groundbreaking solutions that are reshaping education in different contexts around the world. Following our conversation last time with Janhvi, Susan and Tyler, joining us are the other three 2022 WISE Awards Winning innovators Daniela Labra of Mexico-based project Educating for Wellbeing by AtentaMente, Andrew McCusker of Chicago-based project Opportunity EduFinance by Opportunity International, and Kuldeep Dantewadia of India-based project Climate Change Problem Solvers by Reap Benefit. Together with WISE Awards program manager, Niamh Whelan, we discussed: - The 'eureka' moment when creating their projects - Balancing important stakeholders from beneficiaries to partnerships - Key challenges they faced and how they overcame them - And key lessons for other innovators looking to make change in the education space. ------ Relevant links: Reap Benefit: https://www.instagram.com/reapbenefit/?hl=en AtentaMente: http://bit.ly/3miroNJ Opportunity International: https://opportunity.org/ The WISE Awards: bit.ly/3IYvVOe ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Featuring Susan Mtana of Kenya-based Kidogo, Tyler Samstag of Pittsburgh-based Remake Learning, and Janhvi Kanoria of Qatar-based Education Above All. In today's rapidly changing world, the traditional model of education is being challenged like never before. New technologies, changing social and economic conditions, and a multitude of other factors are reshaping the way we learn and teach. With these changes come novel initiatives and solutions that are tackling pressing challenges of learning in unconventional ways. But what sets a great solution apart and leads to real impact? What can we learn from those who have succeeded where others struggled? In this two-part episode, we'll be speaking with six innovators behind the 2022 WISE Awards winning projects to learn what it takes to make a great idea a reality and delve deeper into some of the things they wish they knew when they set out to change education. Together with Susan Mtana, Tyler Samstag, and Janhvi Kanoria, we discussed topics including: - The 'eureka' moment when creating their projects - Balancing important stakeholders from beneficiaries to partnerships - Key challenges they faced and how they overcame them - And key lessons for other innovators looking to make change in the education space. Be sure to subscribe to WISE On Air to be notified when part 2 is out! ------ Relevant links: Internet Free Education Resource Bank (IFERB)by Education Above All: http://bit.ly/3kwcPp7 Kidogo: https://www.kidogo.co Remake Learning: https://remakelearning.org The WISE Awards: https://bit.ly/3IYvVOe ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

This episode is the third and final of the Unmute Education limited series dedicated to raising the volume on the education conversation in the leadup to the WISE 2021 Global Summit taking place in Doha, Qatar and online on 7-9 December 2021. Featured in this podcast is Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, and the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. Marc has published over 120 scholarly articles on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. He is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based, systemic approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by more than two thousand schools, pre-K through high school, across the United States and in other countries.   Tune in to this third and final episode of the Unmute Education limited series to hear Marc Brackett's discussion alongside host and CEO of WISE, Stavros Yiannouka discuss the insights of Marc's book Permission to Feel, Marc's own emotional makeup, the impact of the pandemic on our understanding of social-emotional learning, the roots of emotional neglect in Western philosophy, and many more topics. ------- REGISTER FOR THE WISE 2021 GLOBAL SUMMIT: wise-qatar.org/wise-2021/ Relevant links: Follow Marc: https://twitter.com/marcbrackett Permission To Feel: https://www.marcbrackett.com/about/book-permission-to-feel/ RULER: https://www.rulerapproach.org ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

This episode is the second of the Unmute Education limited series dedicated to raising the volume on the education conversation in the leadup to the WISE 2021 Global Summit taking place in Doha, Qatar and online on 7-9 December 2021. Featured in this podcast is Amel Karboul, the founding CEO of the Education Outcomes Fund, a ground-breaking international effort to change the way that education is funded particularly in developing country contexts. The effort is championed by amongst others Gordon Brown, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, and Sir Ronald Cohen co-founder of Apax Partners, one of Europe's most successful Venture Capital Firms. Prior to taking on her role with the Education Outcomes Fund Amel held leadership positions at Mercedes-Benz, DaimlerChrysler; and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She also served in her native Tunisia as Minister of Tourism from 2014 to 2015 during the country's transition to democracy. She was the first woman to occupy that position and the youngest member of the Mehdi Jooma administration. Amel was also a member of the Education Commission chaired by Gordon Brown. She is the author of Coffin Corner, a book outlining a new leadership culture suited to the complexity and dynamics of the 21st century. Tune in to this second episode of the Unmute Education limited series to hear Amel Karboul's discussion alongside host and CEO of WISE, Stavros Yiannouka tackle the climate crisis, outcome-based funding, and many more topics. ------- REGISTER FOR THE WISE 2021 GLOBAL SUMMIT: wise-qatar.org/wise-2021/ Relevant links: UNESCO Report cited in the intro: https://www.wise-qatar.org/app/uploads/2021/11/web-page.pdf Education Outcomes Fund: https://www.educationoutcomesfund.org Amel Karboul's website: https://karboul.com ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

This episode is the first of the Unmute Education limited series dedicated to raising the volume on the education conversation in the leadup to the WISE 2021 Global Summit taking place in Doha, Qatar and online on 7-9 December 2021. Featured in this podcast is Victoria Ibiwoye, is the Founder of OneAfricanChild, a youth-led organization with a mission to create opportunities in underserved communities and unleash the potential in young people through global citizenship education programs. She also served as the Youth Representative of the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee. As the world slowly emerges from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we not only take stock of the largely negative impact on education with the prolonged lockdowns and school closures, but also look ahead to the challenges that confront us, most of which long predate the pandemic, and the opportunities that are becoming available to solve some of the world's most intractable challenges, not least of which is the promise of universal quality education enshrined in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. As a global community, we have gone long on ambition, whether it be the 17 SDG's or the aspiration to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels. However, more often than not, we have fallen short on execution. Not surprisingly, young people have noticed this discrepancy, and in growing numbers have embraced civil society activism demanding meaningful change. Activism, although necessary, is unfortunately not sufficient to bring about desired outcomes. It needs to be accompanied by action. Tune in to this first episode of the Unmute Education limited series to hear Victoria Ibiwoye's discussion alongside host and CEO of WISE, Stavros Yiannouka tackle youth leadership, One African Child, and many more topics. ------------------------------------------------- REGISTER FOR THE WISE 2021 GLOBAL SUMMIT: wise-qatar.org/wise-2021/ Relevant links: One African Child: oneafricanchild.org Follow Victoria Ibiwoye: twitter.com/victoriaibiwoye ------------------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Africa is the birthplace of humanity. The place where Homo Sapiens evolved language, built increasingly complex tools, and took the first tentative steps on a journey that would see our species populate the entire world. If Africa represents humanity's distant past, it also, in many respects, represents its future. Most of the world's growth in population today, and for the foreseeable future, is taking place in Africa. The UN projects that by 2090, around half of all children under the age of 15 will be in Africa. It does not take a giant leap of the imagination to conclude that the education of those children is of crucial importance, not just for the continent itself, but for the entire world. To help us understand the state of education in Africa, President and Co-Founder of NewGlobe, Shannon May joins Host and CEO of WISE, Stavros Yiannouka, in conversation. NewGlobe is the largest supporter of technology-enabled schools across Africa, supporting national and state governments and communities across the continent. Tune in to hear Shannon discuss the overall state of education in Africa pre-pandemic, education responses to the pandemic, parental engagement, the status and appreciation of teachers, and many more topics, including a special section towards the end featuring Education Editor of the Financial Times, Andrew Jack reflecting on the conversation. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: NewGlobe: https://newglobe.education/ Follow Shannon May: https://twitter.com/drshannonmay?lang=en Follow Andrew Jack: https://twitter.com/AJack?s=20 Financial Times Education: https://www.ft.com/education ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Europe is the world's wealthiest continent and the first region in the world to modernize. The scientific and industrial revolutions began in Europe and the first recognizably modern administrative states were established there, with the possible exception of China. Europe's fragmentation into competing empires and nation-states is seen as both a strength and a weakness. Given the historical context, it is not surprising that Europe's policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic was far from uniform, even in the collective structures of the EU. When it comes to education priorities for the post-pandemic era, can Europe reprise its role as the world's policy innovation laboratory? To help answer this question, Senior Analyst at the OECD Center for Educational Research & Innovation, Tracey Burns joins us in the latest episode of our special series focusing on post-pandemic priorities for the future of education. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: Trends shaping education: https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/trends-shaping-education.htm 21st century children: https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/21st-century-children.htm Strenghtening the impact of educational research: https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/education-research-team.htm Tracey's recent publications: https://www.oecd.org/education/back-to-the-future-s-of-education-178ef527-en.htm https://www.oecd.org/education/education-in-the-digital-age-1209166a-en.htm https://www.oecd.org/digital/educating-21st-century-children-b7f33425-en.htm ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Claudia Costin is the founder and director of the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education Policies (FGV CEIPE), a think and do tank within Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), a leading private University in Brazil, where she is a professor. Claudia was until 2018 a visiting Professor at the Harvard School of Education. Brazil is the most populous country and the largest economy in Latin America. It is home to over 650 million people, about a third of whom live in just one country. The region is currently where some of the world’s most intractable challenges confronting the world are present in their most acute forms. For example, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean, the region is the most unequal part of the world, notwithstanding positive economic growth. Claudia Costin joins us to help navigate through recent developments in Brazil and the broader Latin American region, and to discuss post-pandemic priorities for the future of education in the region. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: Follow Claudia: https://bit.ly/2RO0IW5 Learn more about Claudia: https://bit.ly/3vrO2CV ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Berlin Fang is an education columnist and currently serves as the Director of Instructional Design at Abilene Christian University. His major interests are faculty acceptance of educational technology, the diffusion of innovation, managed change, academic integrity, the ethnography of technology use in higher education, and cross-cultural comparisons of education. Prior to this, he was the Associate Director of North Institute at Oklahoma Christian University, Instructional Design Specialist for Marshall University, and program manager for the American Management Association (China). He graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in instructional design and Nanjing University with an M.A. in English Language and Literature. In this episode, we sit down with Berlin to discuss China’s post-pandemic priorities for the future of education. China is the world’s most populous country and its second-largest economy. Current growth trends suggest that China is poised to overtake the United States as the world’s largest economy within the next 6-7 years. China has a long and rich tradition of formal education that can be traced all the way back to the Han Dynasty. Coming out of the pandemic, will we see a transformation in China’s long-rooted education system? Berlin Fang helps us navigate these emerging trends and paint a picture for what the future holds for China’s role in education. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: Berlin Fang's website: berlinfangblog.wordpress.com Ten Common Myths about Educational Innovations: bit.ly/2UT08Vs ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Rukmini Banerji is the CEO of the Pratham Education Foundation, India's and the world's largest education NGO. Rukmini has been with Pratham since 1996 and has extensive field experience in program design implementation in both rural and urban settings. She also led Pratham's research and assessment activities, including the groundbreaking ASER report from 2005 to 2014. In this episode, we sit down with Rukmini to discuss India’s post-pandemic priorities for the future of education. India is the world’s second-most populous country and is projected to overtake China in just four years to become the world’s most populous country with 1.45 billion people. India already has the world’s largest school-age population: around 250 million children aged between 5-15. That’s 20% of the world’s total and to put that figure further into perspective, the equivalent figure for China is around 170 million. How India will cope with the education fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic will have profound implications not just for the lives of a significant population of the world’s young, but for the world as a whole given the important role India plays and will play in the supply of skilled labor. Read the ASER 2020 Wave 1 report: pratham.org/2020/10/28/aser-2020-wave-1-findings/ Follow Pratham: twitter.com/Pratham_India Follow Andrew Jack: twitter.com/AJack Subscribe to the Financial Times: ft.com/education ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Rebecca Winthrop is a senior fellow and co-director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Her research focuses on education globally, with special attention to the skills young people need to thrive in work, life, and as constructive citizens. She advises governments, international institutions, foundations, civil society organizations, and corporations on education issues. Winthrop has authored numerous articles, reports, books, and book chapters, including most recently Leapfrogging Inequality: Remaking Education to Help Young People Thrive with Adam Barton and Eileen McGivney. Her work has been featured in the BBC, Newsweek, Time Ideas, NPR, Economist, and The Financial Times, among others. Rebecca joins us to discuss Brooking's new taskforce assembled to guide the next generation of community schools in the US, the scale of the learning loss in the US, building back better, and much more. Listen to the full episode for a special section featuring Global Education Editor of the Financial Times, Andrew Jack, discuss the key outcomes of the discussion. Timestamps: 00:00:00: Introduction 00:04:02: What's been keeping Rebecca busy this past year? 00:07:22: Brooking's Next Generation Schools Task Force 00:16:12: What's the scale of the learning loss? 00:17:22: The effects of COVID are felt very differently 00:21:04: Are we really building back better? 00:28:16: Bringing students, parents, and teachers onboard with change 00:35:34: What the Biden-Harris administration can do in 2021 00:38:16: Lightening the bureaucratic load of testing in schools 00:42:28: Why is it so hard to change or replace programs? 00:45:02: The role of parents and family engagement education 00:47:06: What would it take to get us to leapfrog and not revert? 00:49:24: Andrew Jack's initial response 00:52:42: A remote world raising the status of teachers 00:53:58: Are schools going to revert or fundamentally change? 00:58:26: The UK debate on extending the academic year 01:02:34: Reopening schools - where we stand globally 01:05:48: Academic discipline cut to identifying learning loss 01:08:36: What policymakers are thinking 01:11:45: The role of media in supporting education Read Brooking's Report on the next generation of Community Schools: https://brook.gs/3l7kx4P Subscribe to the Financial Times: ft.com/education Follow Rebecca Winthrop: twitter.com/RebeccaWinthrop Follow Andrew Jack: twitter.com/AJack ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it. Website: wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: @wiseqatar Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

2020 is a year that can be described in infinite ways, but one thing is for sure is that on top of the new obstacles introduced by the ongoing crisis, many of the long-term challenges we have faced in our education systems have been exposed or even exacerbated. In response to this, for the past year, we saw a global community of educators, practitioners, policymakers, and organizations come together on multiple occasions to share their experiences and discuss solutions not only in terms of an emergency response to the pandemic but even addressing longstanding issues that have plagued many educations systems around the world. In this episode, we take a look back at some of 2020's key takeaways from our 20+ episodes released amid COVID-19 and beyond. ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! Website: www.wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: wiseqatar Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Sherrie Westin serves as President of Social Impact and Philanthropy at education nonprofit Sesame Workshop, the organization behind Sesame Street.  In her time at Sesame Workshop, she has led countless efforts to serve vulnerable children through mass media and targeted initiatives in the United States and around the world. Westin led Sesame’s efforts to win a historic $100M grant from the MacArthur Foundation to fund the largest early childhood intervention in the history of humanitarian response. With an additional $100M grant from The Lego Foundation, this initiative has expanded to Bangladesh. She was named a “Leading Global Thinker” by Foreign Policy Magazine and one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business”.  Sherrie joins us to discuss the legacy of Sesame Workshop, how they are adapting to the new normal, and what we can do to continue building greater resilience in children.

Can VR transform education? HTC China President Alvin Wang Graylin has over 20 years of experience in tech business management, including 15 years focusing on industries in greater China. During that time, you could consider him a serial entrepreneur - he’s founded four venture-backed startups in the mobile and internet space covering social media, ad tech, search, big data, and media. Additionally, he has held $100+ million P&L roles at public companies such as Intel and Trend Micro. Alvin received his BS in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, MS in computer science from MIT, and MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. In this episode, Alvin talks about how VR has evolved throughout the years, how we can use it to harness the potential of virtual learning, and how it gives us the ability to restore our human interaction in the virtual space. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: HTC: https://www.vive.com/eu/ Vive XR Suite: https://www.vive.com/cn/xr-suite-en/ Follow Alvin: https://twitter.com/AGraylin ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! Website: www.wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: wiseqatar Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Meet the 2020 WISE Awards winners: https://bit.ly/3kNrBTq ------------------------------------------------- Nisha Ligon is the Co-Founder and CEO of 2017 WISE Awards winning education project, Ubongo - the leading kids edutainment company across Africa. Ubongo leverages the reach of mass media, the stickiness of stories, animation and music, and the interactivity of mobile technology to bring millions of kids across Africa fun learning at low cost. Ubongo’s multiplatform edutainment reaches millions of kids aged 3-14 weekly on TV, radio, mobile and web. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: Ubongo: https://www.ubongo.org ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! Website: www.wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: wiseqatar Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

With societies more fluid and fragmented than ever, how can we help young people feel confident in their own identities? Leading members of Karanga: The Global Alliance for SEL and Life Skills, discuss why Social-Emotional Learning is more important than ever in today's world. Featuring: - Jennifer Adams, Chair - Chair - OECD Study in Social-Emotional Skills - Joanne McEachen - Founder and CEO, The Learner First - Louka Parry - Founder and CEO, The Learning Future - Dominic Regester - Program Director, Salzburg Global Seminar ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: Karanga: https://karanga.org OECD: http://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/social-emotional-skills-study/ Salzburg Global Seminar: https://www.salzburgglobal.org The Learner First: https://thelearnerfirst.com The Learning Future: https://www.thelearningfuture.com ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! Website: www.wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: wiseqatar Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

2020 WISE Accelerator: bit.ly/2020-21WISEAcceleratorCohort ------------------------------------------------- This episode’s guest is George Straschnov, Managing Director of strategic education technology fund, Bisk Ventures. George has been a long-time lawyer and dove into venture capital since the early 2000s. Bisk Ventures is a corporate venture capital arm of Bisk Education who were some of the pioneers of what became the online MBA and helped bring a lot of major universities to transition their modules online.  George shares some of his insights on the edtech space and what he predicts for the future of learning post-COVID19. ------------------------------------------------- Relevant links: Follow Bisk: https://twitter.com/BiskVentures Bisk Ventures website: https://www.biskventures.com ------------------------------------------------- Check out more from WISE and send us your thoughts! Website: www.wise-qatar.org Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets Instagram: wiseqatar Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiseqatar/ Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf