WISE announces launch of ‘DLD’, experiential education festival

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), has announced Doha Learning Days (DLD), the country’s first experiential learning festival, from November 14 to 19 in Education City. 

Designed to be a space for incubation and a catalyst for innovation in education, the DLD festival will offer the community unique opportunities for active learning, experiential learning and reflection ahead of the global Summit that follows a week later. 

In collaboration with over 50 local partners and innovators, DLD is being held in the lead up to the WISE Summit, and will include activities that range from coding labs, wellness master classes, sensorial experiences, drumming, photography exhibitions and workshops, leadership master classes, hands-on science classes, to LEGO Serious Play sessions, and many more.

Under-secretary, Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Al Naimi emphasised the importance the Ministry places on partnerships with initiatives such as WISE in his opening remarks at a press conference, held yesterday, where the festival was announced.

“The WISE Summit reflects the importance that our wise leadership places on education, and its persistent commitment to its development by welcoming world-class experiences and transferring them to our schools, and within our classrooms. This enhances our utilization of interdisciplinary methodologies and improves our educational outcomes, enabling our students to compete at international universities, thereby contributing to our human development pillar and the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Al Naimi.

Stavros N Yiannouka, WISE CEO said: “At WISE, we focus on dialogue and conversation amongst a global community of educators, and this year we’re reflecting a commitment to take the Summit into the heart of our diverse community where our learners and educators can gain from our efforts and those of our partners to link education and innovation to help us build thriving societies.”

In keeping with the importance WISE places on partnering with key local stakeholders on initiatives such as DLD and achieving the organization’s overall mandate, the press conference included a panel discussion with its partner organizations; ExxonMobil, Qatar Rail, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The discussions highlighted the wide range of unique activities on offer at DLD and their significance for every member of the local community; from mothers, to athletes, to entrepreneurs, and university students.

Mohammed Al Hashimi, Senior Advisor Government and Public Affairs, ExxonMobil Qatar, confirmed the company’s commitment to the local community, with a focus on educational initiatives and how the local community will benefit from DLD.

In his speech, Ajlan Eid Al Enazi, Chief of Strategy & Business Development of Qatar Rail, highlighted the company’s role in educating the community, and what Qatar Rail hopes to achieve in cooperation with WISE and supporting initiatives such as Doha Learning Days.