Wednesday 21 / May / 2025
Sohar: The First Foundation Programme Conference on Empowering University Students in the 21st Century commenced today at Sohar University in North Al Batinah Governorate.
The conference features speakers and academics from 13 countries alongside higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. Hamdan Sulaiman Al Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University, emphasised that the conference aligns with global trends in empowering university students within foundation programmes, addressing developments in higher education and modern disciplines in line with labour market demands and student aspirations.
He added that higher education institutions undertake a pivotal role in empowering students and fostering their transformation in the 21st century by investing in human capital, offering programs, policies, and platforms that not only prepare students for careers but also cultivate them as future creative and innovative leaders. These initiatives provide programs and specialisations that meet labour market needs, align with technological advancements, and keep pace with artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The conference includes 13 parallel sessions featuring 56 scientific presentations and working papers, which explore key areas such as artificial intelligence in language teaching and learning, assessment and feedback, enhancing student engagement in learning environments, student autonomy and 21st-century skills, digital integration, critical thinking, academic integrity, and innovation in education.
Additional topics focus on AI literacy and educational innovation, developing language skills using AI, assessment and feedback strategies, learner autonomy and self-evaluation, innovative language teaching methodologies, integrating AI and critical thinking, digital technologies and academic integrity, as well as 21st-century skills and digital competencies.
The conference brings together 80 speakers from universities and educational institutions in Oman, alongside academics and experts from 11 countries, which are France, Spain, Morocco, the UAE, Malaysia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Nigeria, and Algeria.
