Egyptian Cultural Office Organizes Seminar on 'Teaching as a Mission Beyond Digital Transformations'

The Egyptian Cultural Office in Kuwait organized, the evening before yesterday at its headquarters, a seminar titled “The Teacher: A Mission That Transcends Time in the Era of Digital Transformations,” on the sidelines of Teacher’s Day celebrations. The event was held under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Jaber Abu Al-Wafa, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Kuwait, and featured the participation of a distinguished group of academics, educators, and education stakeholders.

The seminar included Dr. Ahdah Nasser Al-Hajjar, Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching Methods at the College of Basic Education – Kuwait University, and Dr. Reem Yaqoub Al-Tamimi, Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the College of Basic Education – State of Kuwait. Both speakers addressed the teacher’s role amid rapid digital transformations, the relationship between education and artificial intelligence, and contributed their academic and professional expertise to enrich the dialogue and open discussions on the future of the teaching profession and the requirements for preparing teachers in the digital age.

A Noble Mission

In his speech during the seminar, Ambassador Abu Al-Wafa emphasized that honoring teachers reflects appreciation for their noble mission and pivotal role in building human beings and shaping the future of nations. He noted that rapid developments in technology and artificial intelligence have brought fundamental changes to educational tools and knowledge acquisition methods; however, these advancements have not diminished the importance of the teacher’s role, but rather increased their responsibilities and solidified their status. He clarified that the teacher’s role is no longer limited to transmitting knowledge and explaining content, but has evolved into being an integral partner in shaping students’ personalities, developing their critical thinking, creativity, and innovation skills, enhancing their awareness, and empowering them to interact with modern technology consciously and responsibly.

For her part, Egyptian Cultural Attaché Dr. Amine Abu Al-Makarim stressed in her speech that technological advancement and artificial intelligence represent tools that can enhance teachers’ performance and expand their capabilities. However, the core of the educational process remains tied to the teacher’s human role and their ability to understand students, shape their personalities, and develop their awareness and values. She also emphasized the importance of developing teacher preparation and continuous professional training to keep pace with rapid changes in educational tools and learners’ needs. She praised the State of Kuwait’s commitment to preparing teachers and linking them with society from the initial preparation stage, as well as the initiatives and spaces it provides for community participation and volunteering, which contribute to preparing teachers who are conscious of their professional and societal roles.

The Future of the Teaching Profession

The seminar featured an interactive dialogue addressing the future of the teaching profession in the context of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the importance of preserving the teacher’s human role, and the need to develop preparation and qualification programs aligned with future requirements.

Dr. Ahdah Al-Hajjar and Dr. Reem Al-Tamimi enriched the seminar’s activities with their academic and field expertise, presenting several key perspectives and issues related to teacher preparation amid rapid technological and AI developments. They shared aspects of their experience in this field, stressing the necessity of continuously developing teacher preparation and qualification programs to keep pace with contemporary demands while preserving the core of their human and educational mission and their role in shaping students’ personalities. They also presented several practical experiences that reflected the extent of changes in the educational process and the requirements for teachers in the coming phase.

Enriching the Dialogue

The seminar witnessed distinctive engagement from the audience, particularly from Kuwait University students, who contributed with numerous interventions and questions. This participation enriched the discussion and opened a space for dialogue on the current state and future of the teaching profession, and the teacher’s role in leveraging modern technological tools to serve the educational process. The atmosphere was characterized by interaction, vitality, and the exchange of views and experiences.