Gulf conference and exhibition will take place in Jeddah on 23 and 24 February 2020.The title is 'Facing the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges for Universities'.  We are expecting a large attendance from the region, including some very senior leaders from ministries and regional associations who will be speaking.

The conference explores the relationship between universities and the fourth industrial revolution with a view to universities shaping it more effectively and preparing society to make the most of it. It is being delivered in partnership with the University of Business and Technology, Jeddah.

David lock Chairman of the advisory board Education Director of Gulf Conferences said Unlike the first industrial revolution, which was driven by steam, the second by electrical power and the third by advances in electronics, automation, and digital technologies, the fourth industrial revolution is much more complex. It is driven by a disruptive fusion of new and existing technologies in physical, digital and biological realms which is having impact on society globally at an accelerating pace. It is raising opportunities and issues about the nature of work, the use of technologies, economies, governance, values and responsibility as well as the quality of life and its impact on the planet.

Universities have played a central role in creating the elements of the revolution and will play a greater role in developing it and enabling society to engage with it to gain maximum benefit from it.

 Furthermore, the decision of Saudi Arabia to welcome the establishment of campuses from other countries opens new and additional possibilities for meeting these challenges.

After a top-level review of how the fourth industrial revolution is developing, how Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are viewing the revolution and how they are responding to it, the conference will unpack the particular opportunities and challenges which it presents to universities. It will do this through the themes of research, teaching and learning, knowledge exchange, internationalisation, engaging with stakeholders and leading and reforming the university itself.

 Ministers and leaders from GCC and other countries will share their key issues and the steps they are taking to address them. The views of global commentators will be presented along with the actions being taken by various organisations. We will then hear about and explore, in an interactive way, components of the issues and innovations with a view to enabling participants to share their experience and take away ideas for reforms. The second day will also contain a range of workshops on specific but related themes.

So, how will this conference help university leaders and those leading aspects of industry, commerce, the professions and government to make a difference?

 Previous Gulf Conferences have attracted over 400 senior leaders from colleges, universities and ministries from Saudi Arabia and other countries to provide a rich resource for discussion and development. This year’s event will also have an exhibition comprising universities and other organisations. There will be a gala dinner and other informal networking opportunities.

Why attend?

Rectors and senior leaders of Universities and Colleges:

  • To gain insight from the leaders in the gulf region and exploring issues relating to the fourth industrial revolution.
  • To network with senior leaders from the further and higher education sectors and Ministries of Education and Higher Education.
  • To develop partnerships in teaching, research and training.
  • To understand global issues arising from the revolution and how institutions might reform and modernise what they do to respond to them.
  • To share good practise through detailed discussions and exchanging profiles.
  • To share experiences of enabling students to develop a more global outlook.
  • Options for developing teacher and researcher training more effectively.

Staff from firms and other organisations which engage with universities for research and development

  • Network and meet senior leaders from several countries.
  • Interaction with thought leaders in universities
  • Introducing new technology and learning methodologies.
  • Start the process of forming new partnerships and alliances
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