Smart Learning Institute

Understanding the inclusiveness of the education system in the context of digital transformation is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). It involves understanding how digital technologies can support fair and inclusive learning environments, thereby realizing the vision of providing quality education for all people globally. In this framework, digital transformation has overcome geographical, socio-economic, and disability-related barriers, playing a key role in enhancing the inclusiveness of the education system. We need to deeply understand how the advancement of digital tools, platforms, and teaching methods promote the popularization of education, and how to ensure that every learner, regardless of their background and environment, can successfully participate in it.

Recently, the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University and the UNESCO Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Education jointly held an international seminar on “Inclusiveness of Education System: In the Context of Digital Transformation towards Sustainable Development Goal 4”. This seminar invited experts from many countries around the world, hoping to help stakeholders deeply understand the latest developments in inclusive education practices through sharing and exchanges in the context of digital transformation, and try to find effective and innovative solutions to improve education practices.

At the beginning of the seminar, Professor Asha S. Kanwar, Chair Professor of the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University, introduced the experts participating in this conference and interpreted the background and theme of this seminar. Didier Jourdan, the holder of the UNESCO Chair in “Global Health & Education” from France and the director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for “Research in Education and Health”, served as the seminar host. He emphasized that in the context of rapid changes such as globalization and digital technology, the development of the education system should repeatedly emphasize inclusiveness, focusing on the four key pillars of policy, system architecture, practice, and human resources.

Jonathan Kovilpillai, Senior Lecturer, Programme Manager of Digital Learning Hub, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, elaborated on the background, the connotation of special education, innovative teaching and learning concepts, and future development. He emphasized that to meet the needs of special education, we need to pay attention to the development trend of technology, understand the social background, emphasize teacher training, and include a wider range of stakeholders. Jonathan Kovilpillai also shared innovative experiences in this field from Malaysia.

Ricaud Auckbur, Acting Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Education, explained the meaning of inclusive special education and the importance of inclusiveness. He introduced the principles and basic elements of inclusive education, and emphasized that inclusive education requires well-trained teachers. Through sharing the inclusive policies of Mauritius, Ricaud Auckbur clarified the measures that need to be taken to achieve inclusiveness in the education system, and the efforts that need to be made in the context of digital transformation.

Zhang Yuexin, Associate Professor, Deputy Director of School of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, introduced inclusive education for students with special educational needs in China. She first outlined the basic situation of special education in China, emphasizing that in the 21st century, the main task of special education is not only to pursue fairness, but also to improve the quality of education and promote the comprehensive development of inclusive education. Zhang Yuexin interpreted China’s policies on special education, emphasizing that schools should take general education as the first choice, and shared the practical situation of special education in China, as well as the problems and challenges encountered.

Dr. Achraf Othman, Head of the Innovation and Research Section at the Mada Qatar Assistive Technology Center in Doha, Qatar, discussed the issue of inclusiveness for children with disabilities, using the innovative achievements and research projects of his institution as examples. Achraf Othman first introduced the basic situation of the Mada Assistive Technology Center in Qatar, then focused on explaining the “Mada Innovation Program”, and showed the participants research results such as the JUMLA sign language chat robot and the flight journey simulation laboratory designed for the autism community.

In her concluding remarks, Professor Asha S. Kanwar stated that the participants of the seminar have put forward unique views in terms of policy, practice, human resources, structure, and systems. Regarding special education, we still need to face and deal with issues related to stigmatization, and technology may be the key to overcoming this problem. In the context of digital transformation, in-depth exploration and research on the inclusiveness of the education system will produce a series of representative and innovative research results and practical experiences, making important contributions to promoting fairer and higher quality education development.