Wednesday 04 / February / 2026
Muscat: The International Conference on the Teaching Profession, titled “Sustainable Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” opened on Wednesday under the patronage of Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information. The conference addresses several pivotal themes, most notably empowering educators in the era of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, enhancing educational leadership, improving the learning environment, and promoting sustainable professional development.
Organised by the Ministry of Education, the conference focuses on contemporary global trends in teacher empowerment and the development of learning environments.
Held over two days, the conference aims to strengthen the integration of artificial intelligence with teaching practices to ensure educational quality, support pedagogical and administrative practices that foster sustainable development within schools, and build strategic partnerships between educational institutions and research and development centers. It has attracted 400 participants from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
At her address, Dr. Madeeha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman continues to strengthen its position as an active contributor in the field of artificial intelligence. She highlighted Oman's adoption of an integrated national approach through the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies, which stems from Oman Vision 2040. This program, she said, aims to deploy artificial intelligence responsibly and sustainably across vital sectors, foremost among them education, with particular attention to ethical principles, equity, data protection, and preserving the human dimension of learning.
She noted that this conference, enriched by diverse cultural perspectives, accumulated knowledge, and varied experiences, convenes at a pivotal moment as education stands on the brink of a historic transformation redefining the role of knowledge in the age of AI. This, she affirmed, reinforces a growing global conviction that education is no longer solely a national concern but a shared human responsibility and a cornerstone of sustainable development, compelling all stakeholders to enhance partnerships, align policies, and unify efforts at regional and international levels.
For his part, Dr. Salim Mohammed Al Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), stated in his speech that the fourth goal of the international sustainable development agenda instilled hope through a sincere collective commitment to elevate quality education to its highest priority, emphasising its universality and global equity.
He added that the International Conference on the Teaching Profession, “Sustainable Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” rightly embodies its international character, acknowledging that the current challenges are global in nature.
In a related context, Dr. Mohammed Saud Al Muqbel, Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), underlined in his speech the commitment of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to continuously support the educational march and strengthening collaborative educational efforts across the Gulf, Arab, and Islamic nations.
He appreciated the efforts of the Omani Ministry of Education and its qualitative initiative in convening this significant international conference, affirming that ABEGS is an active partner and contributor to this high-level scientific gathering.
The conference is being held amidst an accelerating global transformation in the education sector and the emerging challenges related to technology, educational leadership, and learning sustainability. These developments underscore the urgent need to redefine the teacher's role and reinforce their central position as drivers of transformation, leaders of change, and architects of the future.
The conference seeks to reposition the teaching profession as a cornerstone of educational transformation through conscious leadership, advanced technology, and sustainable professional development responsive to future changes. It also aims to shape education policies and directions through high-level dialogue among educational leaders and experts, grounded in anticipating global trends, empowering competencies, and fostering innovation to ensure education quality.
On its first day, the conference featured several dialogue sessions. The first session, titled “Sustainable Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and its Sustainability,” explored the human future of the teaching profession and strategies for empowering—not replacing—teachers in the AI era.
The second dialogue session, titled “Transforming the Teaching Profession and Educational Leadership,” examined addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession, with reference to the Global Report on Teachers and the Santiago Consensus.
The third dialogue session, titled “Policies for Sustainable Professional Development,” covered education in the age of AI—global trends—and building high-quality teaching cadres through innovative, evidence-based approaches.
