The VC represented the University and IAUP in the World Innovation Summit for Education.

WORLD INNOVATION SUMMIT FOR EDUCATION (WISE)

Nov. 1-3, 2011, Qatar National Convention Center
Doha, Qatar The VC represented the University and IAUP in the World Innovation Summit for Education. Organized and funded by Qatar Foundation, supported by Exxon-Mobile, Qatar foundation and Microsoft, the summit was attended by 1,200 of the most influential thought and prominent leaders around the world. The International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) is a partner organization together with Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, Association of Commonwealth Universities, Institute of International Education, Rand Corporation and UNESCO.. The WISE is the vision of Her Highness Sheika Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, to encourage the emerging network of global education leaders to think differently in confronting the challenges of building the future of education. The theme of WISE 2011 is “Changing Societies, Changing Education”. The summit has explored and debated on how innovation and collaboration on building education systems that are more responsive to the current and future needs. It has addressed challenges ahead, and considered how knowledge and technologies can shape a better world. A larger group of learners have brought their diverse and unique perspectives on education as participants in workshops and debates and as presenters, bloggers and interviewers.

The final day of WISE mapped out present challenges and future models for education. In a powerful speech that received a standing ovation and triggered a global response on Twitter, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Borwn, MP called for a global fund for education. He said the MDG on universal primary education could be achieved by 2015 "if we work hard and change policy, and make sure that everyone is mobilized to that effort". Mr. Brown said the establishment of such a fund would allow people in the private sector and the public sector, philanthropists and people in charities, private companies and others to create a focus for momentum towards 2015. He called on technology companies including Microsoft, Apple, Facebook and Google to become involved in this global fund project.