
AGF Summit 2025 Opens with Key Discussions on AI, Education, and Workforce Readiness
The AGF Summit 2025: Innovation and Transformation in Higher Education commenced today, bringing together global education leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence, technology, and strategic philanthropy in education.
Organized by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF), the summit delves into AI integration in education, workforce preparedness amid automation, and the importance of public-private partnerships in bridging the gap between academia and industry. With youth unemployment rates remaining high and digital exclusion disproportionately affecting women, the discussions centered on fostering digital inclusion and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of AGF, set the tone by reinforcing education's transformative power. 'As we embrace the UAE's Year of Community, AGF is committed to a smarter, more sustainable education system—where government, private sector, and civil society unite for real, scalable change,'
he stated.
Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of AGF, highlighted the urgency of reimagining education in an era of rapid change. She stressed the necessity of a comprehensive strategy to prevent education gaps from widening, particularly for marginalized communities.
Key discussions explored AI's potential to enhance access to high-quality, adaptive learning, while also addressing ethical concerns around data privacy and bias. Industry leaders and academic experts debated the increasing relevance of skills-based education, micro-credentials, and alternative learning pathways—challenging traditional higher education models that no longer align with evolving job market demands.
The summit continues to serve as a pivotal platform for driving educational innovation and fostering collaboration among stakeholders committed to reshaping the future of learning.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
an hour ago
- Gulf Today
UAE's nuclear programme a role model in terms of safety
The UAE continues to cement its status as a global role model in developing a peaceful nuclear energy programme that adheres to the highest standards of safety, transparency, and international cooperation. This comes at a time when the world is increasingly turning to reliable energy sources that can support the transition to climate neutrality. From the outset, the UAE adopted a collaborative and open approach, forging robust international partnerships, most notably with the Republic of Korea and the United States, to drive forward its nuclear ambitions. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), highlighted the international stature of the UAE's peaceful nuclear energy programme. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits the Barakah Peaceful Nuclear Energy Plants, in Barakah. File photo He highlighted the country's success in developing a global model for integrating nuclear power into a diverse and innovative energy portfolio. Al Hammadi noted that this achievement is rooted in the visionary leadership of the UAE, a clearly defined roadmap, and a firm commitment to the highest standards of safety and transparency, underpinned by strong international cooperation. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Hammadi added that the UAE has been a pioneer in international cooperation and coordination within the nuclear energy sector. He pointed to the country's significant efforts in this vital field, which culminated during the COP28 with over 30 nations pledging to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 as part of the drive toward climate neutrality. Additionally, nearly 120 companies and banks worldwide committed to supporting this ambitious goal. He also highlighted the innovative model of international cooperation between the UAE and the US, which addresses the demands of the modern era and its rapid technological advancements, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and data centres. Barakah staff. Al Hammadi emphasised that securing clean and reliable energy sources, such as nuclear power, is essential to support initiatives like the ''Stargate UAE'' project. Launched by a consortium of tech companies, the initiative aims to position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the global AI revolution. For their part, key UAE entities, led by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), play a central role in advancing the UAE's nuclear programme. Through a robust network of strategic and technical international partnerships, these institutions have facilitated knowledge transfer, experience exchange, and the development of specialised human capital. Cooperation with the Republic of Korea has served as the cornerstone for the successful development of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. Over time, this partnership has expanded to include new investment opportunities in international ventures, including the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). On the regulatory front, the UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) maintains agreements with its Korean counterpart covering joint inspections and capacity building. These ties are further strengthened through regular meetings to monitor technological advancements and regulatory developments. With the United States, the UAE has signed a series of strategic agreements aimed at advancing nuclear innovation and sustainability. These include a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop solutions for producing hydrogen, water, and steam at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The UAE has also partnered with TerraPower to support the development of advanced reactors, and signed an MoU with General Atomics (GA), a leading US advanced technology solutions company, to collaborate on using advanced technologies and materials for nuclear energy supply. Most recently, a partnership was announced with GE Vernova to jointly evaluate the deployment of the BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology internationally. As part of its efforts to expand its network of strategic partnerships, the UAE is actively exploring avenues of cooperation with China in the development and operation of nuclear power plants, both domestically and in third countries. Areas of collaboration include the operation and maintenance of nuclear facilities, the development of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, nuclear fuel supply chains, and investment opportunities. In parallel, FANR has strengthened its ties with counterpart agencies through agreements that enhance cooperation in nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation, and capacity building, further reinforcing the UAE's commitment to global nuclear governance. In a move that underscores the expanding international footprint of the UAE's nuclear programme, ENEC has signed a cooperation agreement with Romania. As part of the agreement, the UAE will support the development of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project in Romania, backed by an investment of $275 million. The UAE continues to affirm its leadership as a regional model for countries pursuing nuclear energy as a strategic option. WAM


Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
IntelliDent AI and Woxsen University forge strategic alliance to advance AI research, leadership & innovation in healthcare
IntelliDent AI, a Dubai-based healthtech company at the forefront of artificial intelligence solutions in dentistry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Woxsen University's AI Research Centre, Hyderabad, India. The five-year strategic partnership aims to drive collaborative innovation through joint research, live project exposure, and advanced technical training. This collaboration is designed to fuel co-innovation, AI-driven entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge research in digital healthcare. Under this agreement, IntelliDent AI and Woxsen University will engage in joint academic-industry initiatives focused on AI-driven healthcare solutions, consultancy-based projects, and the commercialization of technology innovations. The MoU outlines cooperation in the following key areas: Real-World AI Projects: IntelliDent will provide students from Woxsen's AI Research Centre hands-on exposure to live, real-time projects from the healthcare domain—preparing them to address real-world challenges with AI-driven solutions. Joint Research & Publications: Both institutions will collaborate on research grants, white papers, product prototypes, and academic publications that shape the future of medical technology. Entrepreneurship & Product Commercialization: Special focus will be placed on developing products from ideation to market readiness, with guidance on building startups and commercializing AI health tech solutions. Cross-Training & Knowledge Exchange: Faculty and industry professionals will exchange expertise in best practices, fostering a culture of mutual growth and continuous innovation. Strategic Awareness Initiatives: Co-hosted awareness programs, leadership bootcamps, and innovation challenges will promote ethical AI, responsible leadership, and entrepreneurship across emerging markets. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Affaan Shaikh, Founder and CEO of IntelliDent AI, stated: 'This MoU with Woxsen isn't just about technology, it's about inspiring a generation of AI leaders who blend deep tech knowledge with entrepreneurial thinking and purpose-driven leadership. By embedding awareness, education, and innovation into every layer of this partnership, we are not only building smarter healthcare systems, but also empowering future changemakers.' The MoU was signed by Dr. Raul V. Rodriguez, Vice President of Woxsen University, and Mr. Affaan Shaikh, with oversight by Dr. Hemachandran K, Director of the AI Research Centre, and Mr. Khalid Shaikh, Advisor to IntelliDent AI. This milestone underscores IntelliDent AI's commitment to shaping global talent in healthcare AI and highlights Woxsen's ongoing mission to blend business, technology, and innovation through meaningful industry collaborations. Together, IntelliDent AI and Woxsen University are setting the foundation for impactful, future-forward education —where research, leadership, and real-world problem-solving converge.


Gulf Today
4 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Asian equities see largest monthly foreign inflow in 15 months
Asian equities attracted strong foreign inflows in May as concerns over an immediate economic hit from higher US tariffs eased, prompting a return by investors who had previously exited large and concentrated positions in the region. The inflows marked a sharp reversal after four consecutive months of net foreign selling. According to data from LSEG, foreign investors bought approximately $10.65 billion worth of equities across India, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, registering their largest monthly net purchase since February 2024. US President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs in early April stoked concerns over the impact on Asian exports, exporter margins, and regional supply chains, but a subsequent 90-day pause for most countries later in the month helped ease investor fears and revive interest in regional assets. Goldman Sachs said it has revised its earnings growth forecast for MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan (MXAPJ) to 9 per cent for both 2025 and 2026, raising estimates by 2 and 1 percentage points, respectively, citing stronger macro growth in China and US-exposed markets. The upgrade was also supported by $600 billion in AI-related investments from Saudi Arabia to US firms, which are expected to benefit Taiwan and Korea, though the impact may be partially offset by a weaker dollar, the brokerage said. Taiwan equities witnessed $7.28 billion worth of foreign inflows, the largest monthly cross-border net purchase since November 2023. Foreigners also acquired a significant $2.34 billion worth of Indian stocks in their largest monthly net purchase since September 2024. South Korean, Indonesian and Philippine stocks also saw foreign inflows worth a net $885 million, $338 million and $290 million, respectively, while Thai stocks suffered $491 million of net selling. Despite heightened market volatility in the first half of the year driven by concerns over President Trump's trade policies, the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index has risen about 8.8 per cent year-to-date, outperforming both the MSCI World Index, which is up 5.4 per cent, and the S&P 500 Index, which has gained 0.98 per cent. Asian currencies were steady on Friday and poised for weekly gains after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping signalled further trade talks, while most regional equities tracked Wall Street's overnight losses. In India, equities reversed course to rise 0.9 per cent after the Reserve Bank of India delivered a larger-than-expected cut to its key repo rate and lowered the cash reserve ratio to bolster economic growth. 'The RBI may have decided to move quickly to a more appropriate policy rate level. A shift towards neutral stance means more rate cuts may be unlikely in the near-term,' Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy at SMBC, said. The rupee inched up 0.1 per cent to 85.74 per dollar. Other regional currencies moved within a narrow band. The Thai baht and Singapore dollar were largely flat but were on track for weekly gains of 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively. The Malaysian ringgit was up nearly 0.6 per cent for the week. MSCI's index of emerging market currencies was flat after touching an all-time high on Thursday. The index is up 0.5 per cent for the week. The dollar index was little changed, after hitting a six-week low on Thursday, and was headed for a weekly loss of 0.5 per cent. Trump's erratic tariff moves and a worsening US fiscal outlook have triggered a flight from the dollar, prompting analysts to expect most emerging market currencies will retain or build on their gains over the next six months. In their closely watched hour-long phone call on Thursday, Xi pressed Trump to ease trade tensions that have rattled the global economy and warned against provocative moves on Taiwan, according to a summary released by the Chinese government. But Trump said on social media that the talks, focused primarily on trade, led to 'a very positive conclusion'. 'The talks look positive, and coupled with Federal Reserve rate cut expectations due to weak US data, might lead to further USD softening,' said Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX research at Maybank. Markets are now bracing for the US jobs and non-farm payrolls report due later in the day, with concerns that a downside surprise could stoke stagflation fears and boost pressure on the Federal Reserve to quickly ease policy. Reuters