H.E. Dr Abdulaziz Al-Horr

Beyond Reform: Education as a Lifelong Journey in the Age of AI.

Education today stands at a defining crossroads. Around the world, nations are rethinking how to prepare learners for a rapidly changing future shaped by technological disruption, global interdependence, and complex social challenges. In my keynote, I will explore lessons learned from educational reform worldwide—what has worked, what has not, and what insights can guide the next phase of transformation in Qatar and beyond.

I will argue that there is no single model for reform. Every country is unique and must discover its own “recipe,” grounded in its cultural values and local context, while drawing inspiration from global experiences such as Finland’s learner-centered approach, Singapore’s investment in teachers, and Estonia’s integration of digital learning.

Educational reform should be seen as a comprehensive ecosystem rather than a set of isolated initiatives. True progress requires synergy among teachers, curricula, infrastructure, technology, assessments, and community engagement. It also requires the right balance between macro-level vision—national strategies and policy frameworks—and micro-level implementation—practical changes in schools and classrooms. Reform must be dynamic, driven by continuous assessment and improvement.

Looking to the future, I will highlight four pillars essential for building the “school of the future”:

• Innovation: new pedagogies, flexible curricula, and AI-enabled personalized learning.
• Inclusion: equitable opportunities ensuring no learner is left behind.
• Sustainability: embedding social and environmental responsibility in education.
• Lifelong learning: cultivating a mindset where learning extends beyond formal schooling and across the lifespan.

Education is not merely a matter of reform; it is a civilizational journey—a bridge to a future that is innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered in the age of AI.

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Horr is currently the Director of Diplomatic Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to that Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Horr is currently the CEO of Qatar Finance and Business Academy, Before that Dr. Al-Horr was the Director of Aljazeera Media Training Center and Director of Corporate Development Bureau (2007-2012). Earlier, Abdulaziz Al-Horr held the post of Director of the Arab Educational Training Center for GCC (2003- 2007). Previously, he was the Assistant Under Secretary of Planning and Curriculum Development-Ministry of Education (1999-2002).

Throughout his professional life, he worked on his leisure time as consultant and professional trainer to various organizations in the GCC region including Qatar Foundation, Supreme Council of Education, Qatar University, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Museum Authority. In Saudi Arabia King Sauid, King Khalid and Imam Mohamed bin Sauid universities, Albilad Bank, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce. and Arab Bureau of Education. In UAE Zaied University, HTC, Zaied Charity Institute and The Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development. In Barain The Economic Development Board, Ministry of Information and Ministry of Education. In Kuwait Ministry of Education, Arab Educational Research Centre and College of Applied Sciences. In Oman Ministry of Education. His consultancy covered a wide range of topics, from organizational structure, to strategic planning and strategy implementation management, to leading think-tank process of reengineering systems.