What People Say
Message from the Director
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the First Gulf Forum for Educational Researchers, held in the State of Kuwait on December 14–15, 2025. This forum marks a significant step toward fostering a culture of educational research and strengthening communication and collaboration among researchers across the Gulf region.
This event comes at a crucial stage in our region’s educational development journey, as the need grows for innovative research-based insights capable of addressing the challenges of 21st-century education and supporting decision-makers with evidence-based practices and policies. From this perspective, the forum seeks to establish a sustainable Gulf-wide professional platform that brings together researchers, experts, and policymakers under one umbrella to exchange experiences and knowledge, and to explore new horizons for educational research in the service of quality education and sustainable development.
At GASERC, we firmly believe that rigorous educational research is the cornerstone of any genuine educational reform, and that investing in educational researchers is an investment in the future. We therefore hope that the forum’s sessions, workshops, and discussion panels will contribute to enhancing participants’ research capacities and strengthening scientific cooperation among our educational and research institutions—ultimately paving the way toward a more innovative and sustainable educational system in the Gulf states.
2
5
Themes
Sessions
250
Participants
17
Speakers
6
WorkShops
2
Discussion panels
About Forum
Context
The Gulf Forum for Educational Researchers serves as a pioneering platform aimed at enhancing scholarly communication and fostering constructive collaboration among educational researchers across the Gulf region. This initiative stems from a deep understanding of the vital role that scientific research plays in developing education and addressing emerging challenges facing educational systems in the region.
Objectives
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Provide a specialized regional platform for the exchange of expertise among educational researchers in the Gulf States.
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Discuss and identify priorities for educational research that align with the needs of the Gulf countries in developing education and supporting sustainable development.
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Develop the knowledge and skills of educational researchers in conducting research using the latest methodologies and scientific approaches.
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Promote regional cooperation and communication among researchers and educational and research institutions in the Gulf region.
Participants
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Education policymakers and leaders from the member states of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States.
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Educational researchers from all Gulf countries.
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Regional and international experts and academics in the fields of education and educational research.
Forum Themes
Under the patronage of
His Excellency Jalal Sayed Abdulmuhsin Al-Tabtabei
Minister of Education in Kuwait
With participation of
Prof. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi
Undersecretary, Ministry of Education, Sultanate of Oman
Prof. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Nuaimi
Undersecretary, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, State of Qatar
Prof. Hassan M. Khormi
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education for General Education
Dr. David Calonge
Prof. Ahmad Qablan
Head of Educational Program Development, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, UAE
University professor, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
Dr. Khalaf Al-Abri
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Educational Foundations and Administration, Sultan Qaboos University
Dr. Shaylyn Carey
Portfolio Director, Middle East Professional Learning Initiative (MEPLI), Harvard Graduate School of Education
Dr. Reem Al-Sumairi
Assistant Professor, University of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dr. Huda Salem Al-Azmi
Dr. Malfi Al-Rashidi
Prof. Carlo Barone
Associate Professor, College of Education, Kuwait University
Associate Professor, King Faisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Director, Center for Research on Social Inequalities, France
Dr. Osama Mahdi Al-Mahdi
Dr. Shaikha Abdulla Al-Ghanim
Assistant Professor, university of Bahrain
Founder and CEO, Oryx International
Dr. Melissa Mouthaan
OECD, Policy Analyst
Dr. Abdullah Al-Jasmi
Assistant Dean of the College of Arts for Planning, Consulting, and Training, Kuwait University
College of Education – Kuwait University
Dr. Asmaa Abdullah Al-Otaibi
Forum Program
Day One – Sunday, December 14, 2025
Opening Ceremony
09:00 - 09:45
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Opening Address by His Excellency Eng. Sayed Al-Tabtabaei, Minister of Education in Kuwait.
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Remarks by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Muqbil, Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS)
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Remarks by Dr. Mohammed Al-Sharija, Director of the Gulf Arab States Educational Research Center (GASERC)
09:45- 10:00
Break
Plenary Session (Day One)
10:00- 11:00
Educational Research Priorities in the Gulf States: Regional Challenges and Global Concerns
This session will focus on identifying educational research priorities in the Gulf region in light of current educational challenges and global issues in education and research.
Speakers
Prof. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Nuaimi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, State of Qatar
Prof. Hassan M. Khormi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education for General Education
Prof. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Education, Sultanate of Oman
11:00- 11:15
Break
Workshop 1
Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills in Educational Research
11:15 - 14:30
Workshop Facilitator
Prof. Ahmed Qablan ,university professor,United Arab Emirates University
This workshop aims to strengthen researchers’ analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling them to move beyond data reporting toward deeper evaluation and interpretation. Participants will learn to develop an independent scholarly voice and produce original, evidence-based contributions.
Workshop 2
Using Artificial Intelligence Tools and Open Data in Educational Research: Practical Applications
11:15 - 14:30
This workshop focuses on training participants to utilize artificial intelligence technologies and digital tools in conducting educational research, and on how to leverage them to improve the quality of research.
Workshop Facilitator
Dr. David Calonge, Head of Educational Program Development, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, UAE
Workshop 3
Qualitative Research and Its Applications in Educational Studies
11:15 - 14:30
Participants will explore qualitative research methodologies—such as case studies, ethnography, and grounded theory—and learn to use interviews and observation to analyze complex educational phenomena and derive meaningful conclusions.
Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Reem Al-Sumairi, Assistant Professor, University of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
14:30- 14:45
Break
14:45 – 15:45
Roundtable Discussion (Day One)
Ethics of Educational Research in Light of Technological Advances
This Roundtable discussion examines ethical issues arising from technological advancements—such as AI and open data—addressing challenges of privacy, integrity, and participant protection while promoting responsible research practices in the digital age.
Roundtable Facilitator
Dr. Osama Mahdi Al-Mahdi, Assistant Professor, university of Bahrain
Plenary Facilitator
Dr. Abdullah Al-Jasmi, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts for Planning, Consulting, and Training, Kuwait University.
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