The accomplishments of the Empowering Teachers: 21st Century Skills research group reflect a deep and ongoing commitment to transforming education through innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Group members have consistently contributed to advancing teaching and learning by addressing contemporary challenges and equipping educators with the skills and mindsets required for the 21st century.
Through active participation in international study visits, engagement in capacity-building initiatives, and significant contributions to curriculum development and quality assurance processes, the group has demonstrated its dedication to enhancing educational systems both locally and globally. These efforts are not only a testament to individual expertise but also represent a collective drive to improve teaching practices, foster digital and pedagogical innovation, and support the holistic growth of educators.
The group's impact is far-reaching—supporting the development of effective policies, promoting the adoption of global best practices, and encouraging knowledge exchange across institutions and borders. By engaging with diverse educational communities, the group members have influenced the evolution of modern pedagogies, shaped teacher education frameworks, and contributed to the professional development of current and future educators.
These achievements embody the core mission of the research group: to empower teachers with the critical, creative, collaborative, and digital skills necessary for a fast-changing world. They underscore the transformative power of sustained professional engagement and international collaboration in building dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready educational environments that empower both teachers and learners to thrive.
The members of the Empowering Teachers: 21st Century Skills research group have demonstrated outstanding dedication to advancing education, empowering teachers, and shaping innovative learning environments. Their individual accomplishments reflect the group's collective mission to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to thrive in 21st-century classrooms.
Dr. Ibrahim El-Shara' has made significant strides in the field of mathematics education and teacher development. In 2022, he was honored by the Egyptian Society for Mathematics Education for his influential research on teaching models and his active participation in academic seminars. His work was further recognized at the “Educational Reforms: Challenges and Prospects" conference hosted by the University of Oran in Algeria, where he was acknowledged alongside leading Algerian scholars for his role in promoting educational innovation. Additionally, Dr. El-Shara' received a certificate of appreciation for conducting a professional development seminar focused on systematic reviews, highlighting his commitment to building educators' research capacities and fostering evidence-based practices.
Dr. Diala Hamaidi has achieved notable recognition on an international scale. She was awarded the Qatar University Teaching in Higher Education Fellowship (QUTF) for the 2023–2024 academic year, a prestigious program conducted in collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her global leadership is further evident in her appointment to the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) team by the European Commission's Education, Audiovisual, and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA-EU) from 2013 to 2017, where she contributed to educational policy and reform initiatives across the region. Dr. Hamaidi also received two badges of excellence—the Digitally Enriched Education and Learner-Centric Excellence badges—from Qatar University's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), emphasizing her forward-thinking approach to digital and student-centered teaching.
Dr. Yousef Arouri has made significant contributions to digital transformation in education and academic leadership. In 2021, he was selected to help evaluate the University of Jordan as part of the QS international ranking system, a testament to his academic excellence and institutional insight. Dr. Arouri has delivered numerous workshops at the University of Jordan and public schools, focusing on the integration of platforms like Microsoft Teams and Forms in teaching and learning. He has also been active in community service and outreach, earning several letters of appreciation for his volunteer efforts with the Caravan of Good Charitable Association and his contributions during the pandemic-driven shift to distance learning. Moreover, his work in curriculum development, including his role in the 2018 conference organized by the University of Jordan and Al-Quds Open University, reflects his dedication to professional development and educational innovation.
Dr. Adnan Al-Dawlat has played a pivotal role in both academic and national curriculum development efforts. As a member of the Jordanian Psychological Association and the Jordanian Libraries Association, he continues to contribute to educational and psychological advancement in Jordan. In 2010, Dr. Al-Dawlat was a key member of the committee responsible for designing guidance and social research courses for officers in the Jordanian Armed Forces, a project that significantly enhanced educational programs within the military sector. His expertise also supported the Ministry of Education's curriculum reform efforts in 2015, where he participated in supervising the writing of science textbooks for Grades 4 through 6. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the development of educational content and the promotion of scientific literacy among Jordanian youth.
Collectively, these achievements underscore the research group's overarching vision of empowering educators through lifelong learning, innovative practice, and meaningful collaboration—locally, regionally, and globally.