Over 300 Educators Gather at 8th International Teachers Conference to Advance Research

The 8th International Teachers Conference concluded this week after two days of intensive collaboration aimed at fostering a robust culture of research among educators and academic professionals in the Maldives. Hosted from September 12 to 13 at Shaheed Ali School, the event served as a critical hub for over 300 participants. The conference emphasized identifying the systemic challenges facing modern educators and brainstorming scalable solutions to elevate the quality of teaching across the archipelago. The academic rigor of the event was highlighted by 106 participants who presented 70 research papers. These presentations were complemented by keynote addresses from high-profile leaders, including Arun Rajamani, Managing Director for South Asia at Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and Dr. Mahmood Shougee, Chancellor of the Maldives National University (MNU). The conference was structured around two distinct pillars. The first day focused on "Shaping a Responsible Digital Future for Education," addressing the integration of technology in the classroom. The second day shifted toward "Beyond Academics: Reimagining Education through Inclusion, Values, Relevance and Diverse Pathways," emphasizing a more holistic approach to student development. Practical application remained a priority, with four specialized workshops held during the event. Presentations on inclusive education were led by staff from Maamendhoo School of Gaafu Alif Atoll, Muhyiddin School, Thaajuddin School, and Afeefuddeen School. Shuhudha Rizwan, the conference coordinator and Senior Curriculum Development Analyst at the National Institute of Education (NIE), noted that the event received overwhelmingly positive feedback. She emphasized that the blend of panel discussions and keynote speeches provided significant professional value to the attendees. To ensure a global perspective, the event brought together technical experts from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Egypt, Australia, and India. These international collaborators shared insights on strengthening education systems to build a more equitable and resilient future. Looking ahead, the foundation has been laid for the 2026 conference, which will center on the theme of "Reimagining, Rethinking, Reform—Advancing Innovation for an Equitable and Resilient Future."