Opening session : Opening Statement and Speeches

Chairman of the Board of Directors, ETEC

HE Dr. Ahmed Al-Eissa obtained his PhD in curriculum and instruction from Pennsylvania State University in the United States of America. He is considered a leading expert in the field of education with many achievements and contributions. Dr. Al-Eissa currently holds the position of Consultant at the Saudi Royal Court at the Grade of Minister, as well as his position as ETEC’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. Before taking on these roles, Dr. Al-Eissa was appointed as Minister of Education on the 11^th of December 2015. He also served as the Dean of the Technical College in Riyadh, Dean of Al-Yamamah College, and President of Al-Yamamah University. He has many research papers and participations. He also took part in many local and international educational and scientific seminars and conferences. Dr. Al-Eissa is a member of several public and private organizations.

H.E Dr.Husam Abdulwahab Zaman was appointed President of ETEC in 2019, after serving as a board member for three years. He has extensive executive experience in the education sector and was previously the president of Taif University, director general of the Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, and campus president at Saudi Electronic University, In addition to various leadership positions at Taibah University. Zaman holds a PhD in administration and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills at the OECD. He initiated and oversees the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other international instruments that have created a global platform for policy-makers, researchers and educators across nations and cultures to innovate and transform educational policies and practices.
He has worked for over 20 years with ministers and education leaders to improve education. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that Schleicher “understands the global issues and challenges as well as or better than anyone I’ve met, and he tells me the truth”. Former UK Secretary of State Michael Gove called Schleicher “the most important man in English education” – even though he is German and lives in France.
He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the “Theodor Heuss” prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for “exemplary democratic engagement”. He holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Heidelberg.