Riyadh Hosts Inaugural International Conference for Education and Innovation in Museums
The Saudi Museums Commission kicked off the first-ever International Conference for Education and Innovation in Museums in Riyadh with the theme “Explore and Learn to Innovate.” The event serves as a platform for idea exchange and progress within the museum sector, both regionally and globally, through engaging panel discussions, workshops, and thought-provoking conversations.
Introducing the Museum Training Academy
Taghreed Al-Saraj, the Museums Commission’s general manager of education and talent development, unveiled the Museum Training Academy (MTA) during the conference. Described as the world’s first simulated AI-powered platform for education and career development in the global museum community, MTA offers foundational courses, a career path, and a customized AI large language model tool for museum professionals.
Al-Saraj emphasized the academy’s focus on supporting the developmental needs of museum professionals and enhancing collaboration within the industry. The platform aims to provide access to knowledge about various museum departments and job roles, with upcoming master classes tailored for those in leadership positions.
Creating Partnerships for Museum Studies
Under the sponsorship of the Museums Commission, an agreement was signed between SOAS University of London and Effat University in Jeddah for the first joint postgraduate diploma in museum studies in Saudi Arabia. Adam Habib, vice-chancellor of SOAS University of London, highlighted the importance of collaboration between museums and universities, facilitated by the commission.
Through this partnership, students at Effat University have embarked on their first semester in an experiential learning environment. Habib stressed the significance of blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience to prepare graduates for immediate entry into the job market.
Challenges and Solutions in Museum Education
Al-Saraj and Al-Madani discussed the challenges of developing a blended, experiential learning program for museum studies. While balancing global knowledge and local expertise in curriculum design can be complex, they emphasized the promising potential of blended learning for aspiring museum professionals.