Doha, April 03 (QNA) - The Ministry of Education and Higher Education held today the Virtual Education Forum 2021 under the slogan: "Visions and Aspirations ... Beyond Challenges."

The forum aims to develop goals and visions that contribute to enhancing the quality of education in the State of Qatar, and try to image post-pandemic education.

At the forum's opening, HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahid Al Hammadi gave a speech in which he reiterated the ministry's commitment to holding the forum to explore new ideas in the education field.

His Excellency added that the ministry was more committed to hold the forum this year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, in light of the impact its having on education. His Excellency noted that this year's slogan "Visions and Aspirations ... Beyond Challenges" captured perfectly the essence of the goals of the forum this year,

His Excellency said that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education was keen to ensure education continues uninterrupted for students using modern technologies, adding that this year's forum will represent a good opportunity to benefit from the experiences of participants.

HE the Minister stressed that the ministry, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, achieved an important feat in ensuring education continues uninterrupted by adopting an alternative ecosystem for the educational process. This decision helped students continue their education, and carry out their tests and some of the students managed to go to university as a result.

HE the Minister also extended his thanks to Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani for her active participation in the forum, and the leading role she plays in supporting the educational process in Qatar.

For her part, HE Sheikha Hind stressed the importance of improving the quality of education and science.

She said that bringing about change and proposing solutions for development means having real belief that education makes it possible for individuals to have a sense of citizenship and enable them to success in their lives. She added that it is important to realize that every child is different depending on their needs and skills, adding that it was the duty of the educational system to support the needs of every child and grow their skills.

For his part, President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham said that holding the forum is part of continuing endeavors to support the educational process since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the impact of the pandemic was clear in the choice of this year's slogan, and the topics on the forums agenda in terms of the needed educational strategies in light of the pandemic.

He noted that the world is currently that the world is currently seeing unprecedented changes in the flow of information and the introduction of innovative technologies. He added that these changes were behind the establishment of a knowledge-based society.

He said that scientific research is an important tool for the production and proliferation of knowledge, adding that it was also the starting point for building a knowledge-based society. (QNA)