More than 1,500 innovators, including educational thinkers and practitioners, representatives of governments, NGOs, business leaders and social entrepreneurs, are set to take part in a leading education event in Qatar from today (November 4).

The World Innovation Summit for Education will run till November 6 under the theme "Imagine - Create - Learn: Creativity at the Heart of Education.”

As creativity is increasingly presented as the most important skill of the 21st century, the summit will explore ways to tap learners' and teachers' potential for innovation and creativity.

By nurturing learners' ability to develop their talents, think critically, and be self-confident problem-solvers, we can empower them to design imaginative solutions for their lives and their communities, according to an expert.

Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, chairman of WISE, said: "We must find new resources to confront the fast-evolving challenges to education systems around the world, and we can only succeed by drawing upon the wellspring of creativity that has fuelled progress throughout history."

With the main focus on how to bring more creativity to education, the delegates will explore innovative and holistic approaches to early childhood education, skills certification beyond formal university degrees and the future of assessment.

They will discuss how creativity can be taught, measured, and compared - and whether standardised testing is relevant. The panelists will reexamine assessment and encourage more creative teaching and learning, without jeopardising accountability.

A key highlight of the summit will be the announcement of the 2014 WISE Prize for Education Laureate.

Currently in its fourth year, the WISE Prize for Education will be presented at the summit to an individual or team in recognition of an outstanding contribution in education, with a prize of $500,000. - TradeArabia News Service