HBKU at WISE 12

This workshop introduces NUMUe, an AI-powered platform developed by QCRI to enhance Arabic language learning and literacy. Designed around Qatar’s national curriculum, NUMUe enables the creation of personalized exercises that support the teaching and learning of Modern Standard Arabic. Developed in alignment with Qatar’s National AI Vision and Qatar Foundation’s commitment to advancing Arabic-centric innovation, NUMUe showcases how AI can enrich education through culturally grounded and contextually relevant solutions. Through live demonstrations and discussions, participants will explore the platform’s features, gaining practical skills and insights into how AI can be effectively integrated into learning environments to support creativity, engagement, and language mastery.

This panel will reflect on over a decade of global research into digital addiction and its relationship with both personal and environmental factors. For example, in adolescents, digital addiction has been linked to family and school dynamics, with evidence indicating that parents’ levels of internet addiction can positively correlate with, and even predict, those of their children. The session will also explore strategies for preventing and managing digital addiction, such as psychological inoculation theory and role modelling. Additionally, it will examine the relationship between digital addiction and digital well-being, highlighting how these two concepts interact in complex and nonlinear ways. Research has shown that digital addiction does not necessarily imply poor well-being.

This session explores the concept of linguistic sovereignty—the right and capacity of nations to protect and advance their own languages and cultural narratives in the digital era. Qatar is leading by example, with groundbreaking initiatives such as Al-Fanar, launched by HBKU, which aims to strengthen Arabic presence in AI and large language models (LLMs). This panel will highlight how such initiatives are reshaping the digital future of Arabic, supporting educational systems, and preserving identity and heritage through innovation.

This roundtable explores the growing impact of digital exposure, social media, and digital overuse on the mental health of teens and children. Bringing together educators, policymakers, and mental health experts, the roundtable will investigate how excessive screen time contributes to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and impaired learning. Participants will assess current school-based strategies and develop actionable recommendations for prevention, early intervention, and support. The stream will also consider innovative solutions related to digital literacy and family engagement programs that could be integrated into a larger Mental Health Strategy that ensures well-being and balanced tech use are at the heart of future policy and practice.

Childhood obesity remains one of the most pressing public health challenges globally, with significant implications for long-term health, economic productivity, and social well-being. In Qatar, similar to global trends, rates of childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise, underscoring the urgent need for effective, system-level interventions. Schools are a powerful setting for prevention, offering daily, structured opportunities to influence children’s knowledge, behaviors, and environments. Building on the evidence presented in the WISH 2024 report, “Multisectoral Pathways to Prevent Childhood Obesity,” and the earlier 2020 WISH report, “The Role of Schools in Tackling Childhood Obesity,” two priority actions have emerged for urgent and coordinated implementation.