WISE On Air

Can education truly be a beacon of hope and change in the midst of a crisis? Or do we need to fundamentally rethink its utility? In this special episode of WISE On Air, we sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and advocate for sustainable development, to explore this pivotal question.

As we navigate through the complexities of ongoing conflicts like in Gaza and the far-reaching impacts of the AI revolution, Dr. Sachs lends his insights into how technology, policy, and sustainable finance can reshape education in times of crisis. We delve into the potential of AI and other innovations in providing scalable education solutions where traditional systems are challenged by extraordinary circumstances.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that not only highlights the challenges but also uncovers the opportunities for education to act as a catalyst for resilience and equity in our dynamic world.

Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair

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How can technology and AI amplify grassroots efforts to advance gender equity in education? In this episode of WISE On Air, 2023 WISE Prize for Education Laureate Safeena Husain shares her insights from over 16 years of empowering girls in hard to reach areas.

As founder of Educate Girls, Safeena pioneered community-based models to enroll over 1 million girls in school and boosted learning for over 1.9 million children. Her on-the-ground experience provides a unique lens into uplifting education at the grassroots level.

Join host Aurelio Amaral for a conversation that explores to what extent AI can catalyze systemic change - when combined with grassroots efforts.

Learn more about Educate Girls: https://www.educategirls.ngo

Relive the WISE 11 Experience: https://youtu.be/u8ENVoiIAiM?si=2i77Z8lW5UzPvZTP

Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets

Instagram: @wiseqatar

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Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

Register for the WISE 11 Summit - Doha, Qatar (28-29 Nov 2023): https://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-11/

As a result of the worst shock to education and learning in history, “learning poverty”—the percentage of 10-year-olds unable to read and understand a simple written text—has increased to 70%, according to the World Bank.

And on top of that, we have constantly been hearing the word ‘reform’ quite a lot especially since the pandemic. A growing consensus that emphasizes the need for educaiton systems to not only prioritize academic skills, but teach students how to navigate uncertainty and change.

In a world where educational landscapes are increasingly complex and challenging, a pivotal question arises: Is collective leadership the key to building a path towards systemic change in education? Does there need to be a more unified effort to achieve these changes, and how do we go about that?

To answer these questions, we are honored to have Wendy Kopp, Founder & CEO of Teach For All and 2021 WISE Prize for Education Laureate, as our guest. Wendy's vision of leadership aligns seamlessly with these emerging trends.

In this episode, Host of this episode Aurelio Amaral talks to Wendy on redefining education leadership in the face of current challenges and opportunities. They will delve into perspectives on equipping students for an ever-changing future, the importance of unlearning outdated mindsets, and the role of technology in education.

Read our latest report on collaborative leadership in education: https://www.wise-qatar.org/collaborative-leadership-report-2023/

Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair

Learn more about Teach For All: https://teachforall.org

As the metaverse continues to evolve from fiction to reality, with platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Meta gaining popularity, should we be concerned about its implications, especially for our children?

The Metaverse has had a tumultuous development to say the least - last year following its reveal there was a lot of hype surrounding the potential of what it can be. But the conversation quickly died down with recent leaps in AI development taking center stage.

But with recent news of hyperrealistic podcasts now being filmed in the Metaverse, we’re starting to get a glimpse of what this technology will entail in the future. With the concept of the metaverse still being an ambiguous concept to many, it’s important to go past the hype and consider the safety and privacy implications of this technology.

To shed light on this issue, Founder of Bracket Capital, Yalda Aoukar shares alarming statistics about the rise in online child exploitation and abuse. She discusses how predators are using online gaming and metaverse platforms to target children. Yalda provides perspective on whether big tech companies are doing enough to address these problems. She also talks about actions stakeholders like parents and policymakers can take to improve child safety online.

Join this insightful conversation with WISE Director and Host Elyas Felfoul as Yalda highlights the work still needed to make the metaverse and internet a safer place for kids.

Bracket Foundation: https://www.bracketfoundation.org

Gaming and the Metaverse report: https://bit.ly/45vm6zi

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

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Instagram: @wiseqatar

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In this episode, we talk to four young Tunisians who are making waves in their fields of education, filmmaking, public policy, computer science, and edtech. They share their stories, insights, and perspectives on how AI is shaping the future of education, employment, and technology in Tunisia and the region. We also explore the impact and implications of AI and other new technologies on their own work and personal relations.

Samy Chaffai, a filmmaker, content creator, and animal rights advocate who is pursuing a PhD in filmmaking. He is the founder of two YouTube channels, Ti 3leh and Samy Chaffaï, where he produces videos on various topics, such as comedy, education, culture, and social issues. His short movie, Prison of Numbers, premiered in the Pathe movie theaters in Tunis and Sousse in 2021, making him the first YouTuber in Tunisian history to debut a short movie on the big screen.

Nesrine Mbarek, a student, activist, and researcher who is interested in public policy, gender issues, and economic development in the Middle East and North Africa. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School as an Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellow. She graduated from Stanford University with honors in history, focusing on the modern Middle East. She was the president of the American Middle Eastern Network for Dialogue at Stanford and one of the core initiators of Tunisia88, a national project introducing a music program in every high school in Tunisia.

Hajar Boughoula, a software engineer with a knack for crafting beautiful solutions, she has dedicated 7+ years to programming in diverse fields . Specializing in web development, data management & analysis, and Image & Natural Language Processing , Hajar has been enveloped in the world of coding since the age of 13, culminating in extensive experience in engineering and implementing optimal solutions across a wide range of industry software needs.From creating research-focused software for NASA’s Mission to Psyche, to leading tech teams at the Red Crescent in building enterprise management software, she's had the privilege to work on exclusive and complex projects that have shaped her into the well-rounded developer she is today.

Anis Kallel, an entrepreneur, engineer, and content creator who is working on financial inclusion and digital transformation in Africa. He is the co-founder and CTO of Kaoun, a fintech startup that offers a financial super app called Flouci that allows individuals and businesses to create a free bank account and a mobile wallet via smartphone, and access a range of financial and governmental services. He studied computer science and business at the University of Rochester, where he was awarded a full tuition scholarship. He is a Fellow at Harambeans, an alliance of African entrepreneurs, and was nominated as one of the top 100 leaders of tomorrow at the St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland.

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

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Instagram: @wiseqatar

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chool leadership is critical, but investment has declined. Our guests on this episode of WISE On Air want to transform education by transforming leadership.

Dr. Asmaa Al-Fadala, Dominic Regester, and Anthony Mackay lead WISE ALL-IN, a network reimagining leadership through research, training, and advocacy. Their goal is to modernize education to prepare learners for today's world.

But change takes more than policy. Their lived experiences fueled their drive for systemic change, from role models to seeing inequities firsthand. Their journeys show why leadership matters.

We discuss the challenges we face, why leadership is so critical, and how they are building a community to transform education's future.

Join us as we explore their vision, insights, and why education transformation starts with leadership transformation.

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Relevant links:

Learn more about WISE ALL-IN: https://www.wise-qatar.org/all-in/

Dr. Asmaa Al-Fadala: https://www.wise-qatar.org/biography/asmaa-al-fadala/

Dominic Regester: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/people?userID=33260&viewType=2&cHash=7b27068a13cf0497960582a3beaafae3

Anthony Mackay: https://www.oecd.org/site/forum-world-education/speakers/Anthony_Mackay_FWE19_BIO.pdf

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

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Instagram: @wiseqatar

Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/

Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

How can artificial intelligence breakthroughs be taken out of the lab and positively impact industries worldwide?

In this episode, join Elyas and entrepreneur Chibeza Agley, co-founder of education technology company Obrizum, for an insightful discussion on the evolution of AI and its expanding applications.

Learn how Chibeza, with a background in stem cell research, made the transition to successful startup founder leveraging AI to enable personalized learning and optimize knowledge transfer. Discover how Obrizum overcame perceptions, built diverse teams, and invested early in AI to provide value for organizations across sectors.

Chibeza provides perspective on why quality measurement and data are integral to their approach, along with the importance of inventing ethically with AI.

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Relevant links:

BBC Article with AI Godfather: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65452940

Learn about Obrizum: https://obrizum.com/

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

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Instagram: @wiseqatar

Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/

Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia, composed of more than 7,000 islands. It has a population of over 110 million people, making it the 13th most populous country in the world. It is also one of the most diverse countries in terms of culture, language, religion, and ethnicity.

Education is a key factor in the development and progress of any country, and the Philippines is no exception. According to the World Bank, the Philippines has made significant improvements in its education system over the past decades, such as increasing enrollment rates, reducing dropout rates, and improving learning outcomes. However, there are still many challenges and gaps that need to be addressed, such as access to quality education and equity of opportunities.

One of the pioneers and leaders of EdTech in the Philippines looking to bridge that gap is WISE accelerator cohort Edukasyon which is a social enterprise that empowers youth in the Philippines and around the world to make informed decisions about their education and career paths.

Edukasyon.ph was founded by Henry Motte-Muñoz in 2013 after he realized that many Filipino students lacked access to information and guidance on their education options.

Since then, Edukasyon.ph has grown to become one of the most successful and influential platforms in the Philippines, reaching over 10 million students across the country, while partnering with various stakeholders such as schools, government agencies, and media outlets.

In today’s episode, WISE Director Elyas Felfoul goes one on one with the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, to learn more about his personal story growing up, Henry’s vision for the future of education in the global south, and some of Henry’s thoughts on what AI entails in underserved contexts.

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Relevant links:

https://www.edukasyon.ph

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets

Instagram: @wiseqatar

Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/

Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

In this episode, we talk about a region that is often overlooked in the global edtech landscape: the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA.

MENA is home to more than 400 million people, with a young and tech-savvy population, a growing demand for quality education, and a huge potential for digital transformation. But despite these favorable conditions, MENA’s edtech sector has been lagging behind other regions in terms of investment, innovation, and adoption. Why is that? And what are the opportunities and challenges for edtech entrepreneurs and investors in this region?

To answer these questions, we speak to Nafez Dakkak, managing partner of BLDR ventures. Nafez has had extensive experience studying, analyzing, and working in MENA’s education sector, helping spearhead Edraak, an online learning platform that serves millions of learners across the Arab world. He has also served as a senior advisor at the Queen Rania Foundation for more than 6 years.

Tune in to hear Host and WISE Director, Elyas Felfoul take Nafez for a deep dive into the world of edtech and its implications for the region.

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Relevant links:

Read Nafez's article on the sleeping giant: https://nafez.substack.com/p/mena-edtechs-sleeping-giant

Nafez's article on the gameboy: https://nafez.substack.com/p/the-gameboy-instead-of-the-metaverse

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

Twitter: twitter.com/WISE_Tweets

Instagram: @wiseqatar

Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/

Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf

With the breakneck speed of modern technology’s evolution, differences of opinion on its role in the classroom often turn into bitter divisions. How can we better understand these viewpoints, taking them into consideration while also trying to keep up with the pace of technology?

To answer these questions In this episode we speak to Manos Antoninis, director of Unesco’s global education monitoring report (or simply GEM) about their newly released report examining the question of ‘technology in education - on whose terms?’. The conversation covers a slew of interesting key insights from the GEM report, the role of governments in regulating tech, the hidden costs of technology in the classroom, positive vs negative outcomes, and much more.

Listen to this full episode of WISE On Air featuring WISE Research Manager and Host of this episode, Selma Talha-Jebril in conversation with Manos Antoninis.

Special thanks to Unesco and the GEM Report team.

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Relevant links:

GEM Report: https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/technology

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If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly appreciate it.

Website: wise-qatar.org

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Instagram: @wiseqatar

Facebook: facebook.com/wiseqatar/

Linkedin: bit.ly/2JKThYf