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Observer
21-07-2025
- General
- Observer
SQU explores AI, Emotional Intelligence in education
SALALAH: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) officially launched the third edition of its annual Summer School, held under the theme 'The Integration of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.' The programme is taking place at the Rotana Hotel in Salalah and continues until July 26, as part of the university's broader efforts to advance academic development and promote educational tourism during the Khareef Dhofar Season. This year's edition brings together approximately 50 academic participants from six higher education institutions across Oman. The six-day programme features expert-led lectures, thematic sessions, interactive discussions and field visits to key tourist and heritage sites in Dhofar Governorate. In its opening address, the organising committee welcomed the participants and highlighted the significant expansion of the Summer School since its inception. While the first edition included just three institutions, the current edition has doubled that number - reflecting the growing relevance of the school's academic themes and its role as a collaborative national platform. The committee noted that the choice of this year's theme responds to the rising integration of artificial intelligence technologies in education and the pressing need to preserve the emotional and human dimensions of teaching and learning. True innovation, it added, lies not only in technological advancement but in leveraging such tools to serve human development and social well-being. The opening day featured a high-level panel discussion titled 'Thriving Societies Through the Integration of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.' The session brought together leading academic voices from Oman and abroad. Among the panellists was Dr Awadh bin Amer al Rawas, a senior academic and innovation adviser who serves as Non-Resident Dean at the University of Newfern in Georgia, and holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Sussex in the UK. Dr Al Rawas is widely recognised for his contributions to digital transformation and education reform. The programme features expert-led lectures, thematic sessions, interactive discussions and field visits Also speaking was Dr Rajiv Jhangiani, Vice-Provost for Teaching and Learning at Brock University in Canada. A global expert in open education, he sits on the boards of several international organisations that advocate for social justice in education and the ethical use of technology. Dr Jhangiani is affiliated with the Inclusive Education Lab and the British Columbia Working Group on Technology Ethics. Dr Mahmood al Maawali, a psychologist and certified trainer in career development and academic counselling, also joined the panel. He holds a doctorate in psychological counselling and has led professional development programmes across both the public and private sectors in Oman and Qatar. The session concluded with a series of forward-looking recommendations aimed at shaping academic strategies in Oman's higher education sector. These included the adoption of holistic teaching philosophies that integrate emotional intelligence with technical expertise, the development of institutional frameworks to guide ethical AI usage, and the expansion of faculty training in both soft skills and emerging technologies. The panellists also underscored the importance of designing smart learning environments that support diverse learning styles and encourage meaningful teacher–student interaction. Finally, the panel called for a redefinition of academic leadership - one that embraces emotional awareness and champions the responsible, human-centred application of artificial intelligence in education. As part of the week-long programme, the participants will engage in specialised workshops and thematic seminars. A guided field visit on the third day will showcase Salalah's natural beauty and cultural heritage, reinforcing the link between academic exploration and cultural immersion. The Summer School reflects Sultan Qaboos University's ongoing commitment to raising educational standards, fostering innovation in pedagogy, and positioning Dhofar as an emerging hub for academic and scientific exchange.
Daily Tribune
24-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Gulf family firms urged to rethink power and succession
Heads of family-run firms made their way to Manama yesterday for the Legacy Family Business Forum, held at the Downtown Rotana Hotel. The meeting brought together business heirs, founders, advisers and government figures. With a theme of 'Sustaining a Legacy: The Balance Between Tradition and Innovation', the event sought to answer a question many in the region know too well: how to keep a family enterprise alive without freezing it in the past. Family businesses account for the lion's share of private sector activity in the Arab world. They make up nearly 90 per cent of the market in the Middle East and North Africa, provide jobs to about half the workforce, and bring in a third of the region's total economic output. A recent survey by Forbes Middle East found that three-quarters of the top-performing firms were based in the GCC. Bahrain, long a port for traders and financiers, is no stranger to such stories. Many of the country's oldest firms have weathered decades of change. But as speaker after speaker reminded the audience, legacy is no guarantee. Industry and Commerce Minister, His Excellency Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, told attendees the matter was close to home. 'This is personal for me,' he said. 'I come from a family business and have lived and breathed it all my life. I've seen the effort it takes to build one, and the strain of passing it on.' He said Bahrain would set up a dedicated centre to help family businesses adapt. He also pointed to new guidance introduced last year on governance, drawn up with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
Trade Arabia
13-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Dual China Visitors Summits set in UAE
The China Visitors Summit (CVS) is making a powerful return to the UAE this year, hosting two back-to-back events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – marking a significant moment for the revival of Chinese travel to the region. Chinese inbound tourism to the UAE has officially rebounded to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, with a growing number of travellers seeking premium experiences across all seven Emirates. From luxury accommodations to adventure, sports, culture, and art, Chinese visitors are showing a strong appetite for the UAE's diverse offerings. The CVS will be held in Dubai on August 25 and 26 at the SO/ Uptown Dubai Hotel, followed by Abu Dhabi on August 28 and 29 at the Rotana Hotel in Al Ain. Together, the two events will welcome over 150 top-tier Chinese travel buyers including luxury and corporate travel planners, wholesalers, OTAs, and bespoke travel agencies. 'The dual summit format gives UAE suppliers a powerful opportunity to hand-pick the Chinese buyers they want to connect with—whether they focus on luxury, group travel, FIT, business, or niche experiences,' said Alexander Glos, CEO of China i2i Group, the summit's organiser. 'This year's events in the UAE will generate over 16,000 face-to-face, pre-scheduled meetings—making it the largest gathering of Chinese travel industry professionals outside China.'
