Dr. Shirvani to Discuss “Innovations in Digital Didactics: Bridging Cultural Divides,” at International Summit in Doha, Qatar, on November 3, 2011
California State University (CSU), Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani will speak at a workshop entitled “Innovations in Digital Didactics: Bridging Cultural Divides,” at the 2011 World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE). The summit will take place from November 1 – 3, 2011 in Doha, Qatar.
More than 1,200 experts and leaders in education will gather at WISE to discuss innovation and change, whole-system reform and the future educational needs of the world’s ever-changing societies. In addition, a social media component will drive enhanced interaction with summit speakers and broaden the discussion to include an even greater audience.
“WISE is a leader in bringing people together from many sectors and from all over the world to explore ways that new innovations can be applied to education,” said CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani. “Innovative solutions will help us reform and adapt education to our changing societies, and will allow us to greatly increase access to educational opportunities for people around the world.”
President Shirvani will draw on his expertise in the development of online programs to explore how educators must prepare coursework sensitive to the needs of students from different cultures. Case studies of online programs will be critiqued, using a framework of cultural attitudes toward learning, and regional and cultural tailoring of online course offerings to increase their effectiveness.
Dr. Shirvani views high-quality online education as an integral component of future higher education initiatives, particularly for individuals who face physical or economic barriers in accessing educational opportunities.
“Education is now more important than ever to the well-being of individuals and our economies,” said Shirvani. “Most of the world’s population does not have access to higher education, either because education is not affordable, or because educational opportunities do not exist in their communities. Online education can be an innovative tool that creates access to an affordable education for people across the globe.”
WISE is an initiative of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, established in 1995. The mission of the foundation is to develop the potential of people “through a network of centers devoted to progressive education, scientific research and community welfare.” The foundation’s headquarters are located within its signature development, Education City, described as a university of universities.
President Shirvani’s travel and accommodations are provided courtesy of WISE.