Two academic staff members from Oman, Saud al Busaidi from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Ibra and Aaisha al Busaidi from Sharqiyah University (ASU), recently attended and presented at an international conference in Seychelles.
The event, themed “Innovation for Inclusion,” took place on October 2 and 3 in Mahé, Seychelles.
The Omani staff members presented the theme of internationalization as a vital process for inclusion, aimed at enhancing the educational experiences of students and staff in Oman.
They discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with recruiting international staff and students, as well as the internationalization of curricula.
The study recommended establishing guidelines to promote collaboration between local and international individuals, alongside developing training and professional development programs focused on internationalization. This would enhance mutual understanding and shared objectives while facilitating dialogues and collaborative learning experiences for both staff and students.
The participation of Omani academics in this conference aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes the importance of knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and the development of Omani professionals and researchers. This initiative not only enhances Oman's global profile but also facilitates networking opportunities
Dr. Justin Valentin, Minister of Education, delivered an address, underscoring the key objectives of the conference, and spoke about the significance of inclusive education and the introduction of policies aimed at fostering inclusion in schools, including a significant project valued at 3.3 million Rupees dedicated to facilitating these goals.
Joëlle Perreau, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles, highlighted that this conference marks the 15th anniversary of the institution. It was organized in collaboration with Örebro University in Sweden. She emphasized the importance of such opportunities in building an inclusive society, fostering partnerships with international researchers, enriching the experiences of both staff and students and developing collaborative projects with global organizations. The second day took place at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Speakers covered a range of topics related to inclusion, including 'Towards Epistemic Justice: Multi-Lingual Approaches to Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa,' presented by Professor Angeline Mbogo Barrett from the University of Bristol, England.
Another notable presentation was 'Expanding Inclusion through the Development of Intercultural Competences,' delivered by Pascal Nadal from the University of Seychelles and Aruna Ankiah-Gangadeen from the Mauritius Institute of Education.
On the second day, two presenters delivered keynotes: “Towards Language Inclusive Education in Seychelles” by Dr. Justin Zelime from the University of Seychelles and “Challenging Notions of Inclusion in the African Context: Towards Sustainable Inclusive Education Policy and Practice” by Professor Sulochini Pather from the Faculty of Education at the University of the Western Cape.
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