The University of Dubai (UD) concluded its first International Conference on Future of Learning & Skills-Dubai 10X, which included a series of virtual lectures, workshops, panel discussions and presentations via the Zoom application. The conference was inaugurated by U.D. President Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki in the presence and participation of a group of prominent local and international speakers, researchers, consultants and entrepreneurs including Dr. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Mr. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Dr. Saeed Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Director of the Center for Future Studies at the University of Dubai.

A number of panelists, presenters and keynote speakers participated in this international conference, including Dr. Jack Phillips, Owner of ROI Institute, Dr. Patti Phillips, President and CEO of ROI Institute, Dr. Jennifer King, Executive Director for Academic Success at Bisk Education, Dr. Amber Wigmore, Chief Innovation Officer at Highered EMFD, and Mr. Michael Chalhoub, Co-owner and family board member of the Chalhoub Group.

This event aimed at attracting researchers, entrepreneurs and institutions to uncover and explore the possibilities of combining emerging technologies with innovation in learning and knowledge management. More than 425 people and 37 countries around the world, including Jordan, Lebanon, India, the UAE, the United States, and the United Kingdom, engaged in the digital seminars held over three consecutive days and panel discussions which highlighted the following themes: Career opportunities in 2050; Future competencies and skills required for the workplace; EduTech for the future work, force, including capacity development, technologies invigorating education, safety & privacy, and digital skills; Transition management to respond to the challenges of current global trends from a skills perspective; The impact of IOT, 5G, and 10X on education and work landscape; The use of instructional design principles to create engaging content, especially in virtual learning; The new pedagogies in training delivery; The impact of ROI for learning development and the strategic role of H.R. function; The role of universities and L&D centers in building the talent pipeline.

On the first day of the panel discussions, Dr. Al Bastaki welcomed the attendees and participants in this event, which he considered as part of the University’s mission and strategic plans to enhance future learning and knowledge management. He pointed out that “it is the responsibility of universities and educational institutions to design and promote an appropriate academic and professional agenda for future jobs.” He added that this conference had achieved remarkable success in attracting concerned individuals and organizations to discuss the implications of “future learning” and “educational design” to improve learning environments and develop expertise, competencies and human skills.

The Director of CED Dr. Vidya Nandagopal, said that the participants in the conference were able, through sharing their experiences, to identify and convey the future of the work scene with its challenges, pros and cons. They were also able to reveal the principles of “Instructional Design” and create engaging content for virtual learning, she added. “The conference represents a unique opportunity for many institutions in the private and public sectors to discover new educational techniques and styles to provide training and anticipate future trends,” she said. In the end, Dr. Nandagopal thanked all government and private agencies that joined the conference and participated in shaping the future of the workforce.