Dubai: H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, today inaugurated the 3rd UNESCO World Open Educational Resources (OER) Congress. This significant event is hosted for the first time in the Arab World at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Congress is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF). The event brings together global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss open solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) for inclusive access to knowledge under the theme ‘Digital Public Goods: Open Solutions and AI for Inclusive Access to Knowledge.’
The Congress features high-level panels, breakout sessions, and discussions aimed at advancing equitable, sustainable education through OER and emerging technologies. Over 500 global participants, including ministers, academics, and p
rivate sector representatives, are attending the two-day event.
Sheikha Latifa’s opening speech highlighted the Congress’s role in enhancing access to knowledge through open educational resources. She emphasised collaboration in digital education and the importance of aligning global efforts to promote shared learning. She also underscored the necessity of leveraging technology to tackle global challenges and expand educational opportunities.
Dr Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, delivered an address titled ‘Embracing Open Solutions for a Knowledge-Inclusive Future,’ focusing on OER’s transformative potential in addressing global educational challenges.
The Congress included various thought-provoking sessions, such as the ‘Ministerial Panel: Shaping the Future of Education,’ chaired by Louise Haxthausen, Director of UNESCO Nairobi. Another session on ‘Policies for Openly Licensed Learning Content’ featured distinguished speakers from countries like Ghana,
Burkina Faso, China, Maldives, Cambodia, and Guyana.
Discussions on harnessing OER and generative AI for digital inclusion were chaired by Dr Colin de la Higuera of the Université of Nantes, France. Panellists included notable figures like Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Seizo Onoe, who explored AI’s role in standardisation for digital inclusion.
In addition, the event featured breakout sessions focused on implementing the 2019 Recommendation on OER. These sessions addressed capacity building, policy development, and enhancing quality and accessibility in OER. Discussions emphasised inclusivity and the needs of vulnerable groups, including Africa, least developed countries, and indigenous communities.
The Congress concluded with a reception where His Excellency Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, highlighted Dubai’s role in global knowledge-sharing. The event aims to establish guidelines for promoting openly licensed content and tackling challenges arising from AI and other emerging technologies, concluding wit
h the Dubai Declaration for Action on OER.
Countries like Cuba, Madagascar, Malaysia, and Morocco have demonstrated exceptional progress in implementing UNESCO’s OER recommendations, showcasing diverse approaches to advancing equitable access to knowledge. The Congress aligns with the objectives of the Knowledge Summit, positioning it as a leading global event for exchanging knowledge and success stories.
