Zhejiang, A significant seminar on the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report was held successfully at Zhejiang University on November 30th. Organized by Zhejiang University’s UNESCO Research Center and the College of Education, in partnership with Beijing Normal University’s International Education Research Center, the event aimed to discuss the key highlights of the report and explore the opportunities and challenges of technology in education in the digital era.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the seminar was supported by the Secretariat of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Multi-Sectoral Regional Office for East Asia in Beijing. The event saw participation from international organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, industry enterprises, and civil society, providing a dynamic platform for discussion.
The opening ceremony, led by Professor Kan Yue, Dean of the College of Education and Director of Zhejiang University’s UNESCO Research Center, included a message from Ms. Zhu Hui, Vice President of Zhejiang University. Ms. Zhu emphasized the need for educational reform in response to the digital era’s transformative changes. Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Multi-Sectoral Regional Office, expressed gratitude for China’s contributions to the Global Education Monitoring Report and stressed the seminar’s importance in advancing the global education development agenda and SDG4 targets. Mr. Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, reaffirmed China’s dedication to the global education agenda and digital transformation.
The seminar featured keynote speeches and discussions, focusing on the integration of technology in education and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4. Experts highlighted the potential of educational technology to strengthen educational systems, facilitate knowledge dissemination, and provide more efficient delivery of education services.
The event also included roundtable sessions moderated by esteemed academics, where participants from various sectors shared their perspectives. Topics ranged from technology applications in education settings, the role of technology in education from UNESCO’s perspective, and practical measures for enhancing school informatization and intelligent construction.
In the closing ceremony, organizers and participants reflected on the seminar’s outcomes and emphasized the need for continued dialogue on the role of technology in education. The Global Education Monitoring Report, released by UNESCO annually, serves as a vital tool in monitoring and assessing the progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4. This seminar marked a critical step in understanding and adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of educational technology in China and globally.