Abu Dhabi University launches the “International Conference on Inclusive Education” today

More than 150 policy and decision makers, experts, specialists, teachers and educational psychologists from across the GCC are convening today (Tuesday) at Abu Dhabi University as the “International Conference on Inclusive Education: Education for Diversity- (ICIE)” kicks off to discuss the best practices, opportunities and challenges. Held under the patronage of H.E Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, with “Khalifa Award for Education” as a silver sponsor, and “Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau” as the destination partner, the ICIE is set to showcase the best global practices in inclusive education, as well as promote the consolidation of efforts in legislation, and the implementation of inclusive practices.

Stressing the importance of the conference, Dr. Mohammad Fteiha Chair of the Education Department and Assistant Professor of Special Education in ADU’s College of Arts and Sciences explained that it plays a vital role in highlighting the need to design and implement comprehensive strategies for inclusive education. “Inclusive education implicitly means to identify a child’s learning style and adapt the classroom and teaching strategies to ensure high quality learning outcomes for all members of the class, whether they are academically gifted students, regular learners or special needs students. As the first of its kind in the Gulf Region, the ICIE aims to at address and explore theoretical and practical experiences in the implementation of inclusive practices of early development, preschool and general, primary and higher vocational education. The two-day conference will also work as platform to update experts of the governmental and civil sectors on the developing practices of inclusive education, as well as promote new strategies for inclusive education that can be integrated within the  national education policy”, said Dr.Fteiha. 

On his part, Dr. Ghanem Al Bustami Associate Professor of Educational Psychology in ADU’s College of Arts and Sciences, and Chair of the ICIE Scientific Committee pointed out that the conference has attracted more than 150 decision-makers, experts and specialists in the field of developing inclusive education legislation, as well as teachers and scholars of educational psychology. “Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the conference is the fact that it will allow experts and specialists to refute many of the misconceptions about the need to separate the diverse needs of students, in spite of the success witnessed by many international experiences and scientific studies that proved the uniqueness of inclusive education models”, explained Dr. Al Bustami.