Doha: Organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), the 39th International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI 2026) kicked off on Monday at Qatar University and runs until January 22. The conference is held under the theme "Crossing Boundaries in Education: Fostering Innovative, Inclusive and Sustainable Learning Environments," with the participation of more than 500 participants representing an elite group of experts and individuals interested in educational development and school performance improvement.
According to Qatar News Agency, the opening was attended by HE Undersecretary of the MOHE Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, HE Minister of Education and Higher Education of the Republic of Lebanon Dr. Rima Karami, HE President of ICSEI Dr. Danette Parsley, along with senior officials from the MOEHE and Qatar University, and a group of academics and those interested in educational affairs.
In his opening remarks, HE Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi emphasized that the State of Qatar believes that progress in education is not measured by replicating global models, but by the ability of the education system to absorb and reproduce best international practices in a manner suitable for the local context, cultural values, and national priorities. This is the approach that Qatar is taking in developing its education system.
His Excellency added that education occupies a pivotal position in Qatar National Vision 2030, which has placed human development at the heart of the state's project, affirming that building the human being is the basis for achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. Based on this, the State of Qatar continues to invest intensively and effectively in a high-quality education system that focuses on empowering learners, supporting teachers, developing educational leadership, and building fair, inclusive, and stimulating learning environments that encourage thinking and innovation.
For her part, head of the local preparatory committee for the conference Dr. Asmaa Al Fadala stated that the current edition is the first to be held in the Gulf region, and is witnessing for the first time the acceptance and participation of scientific research in Arabic. She stressed that hosting the ICSEI conference in Doha represents not just an academic event, but a scientific partnership that reflects the region's presence as an active partner in formulating important educational issues and questions, especially in light of a rapidly changing world full of challenges and opportunities.
She indicated that holding the 39th edition of the conference represents a real opportunity to build research teams, generate joint ideas, and launch initiatives that contribute to advancing education globally.
The conference is one of the key international forums specializing in the development of education and the improvement of the performance of schools and educational systems, providing a global platform for exchanging experiences, discussing contemporary educational issues, and reviewing successful experiences in the field of educational effectiveness.
The conference is held in partnership with Qatar University, the College of Public Policy at Hamad bin Khalifa University, and the Arab Educational Training Center for Gulf States, with a scientific program that includes scientific sessions, specialized sessions, and field visits to schools within the local educational system.
The organization of this conference comes within the framework of the MOEHE's commitment to developing education and enhancing the quality of its outputs, and to dedicating the role of scientific research and innovation in building human capital, contributing to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and building a knowledge-based economy.