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The campus of Ain Shams University witnessed the launch of the 4th Annual Conference of the Scientific Association for Measurement and Evaluation (MESA), affiliated with the Association of Arab Universities, as an integral and vital part of the 14th International Conference of Ain Shams University, under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of the University.

The event was attended by a high-level audience that included Prof. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities; Prof. Anas Ratib Al-Saud, Executive Director of the Association of Arab Universities; Prof. Rami Maher Ghali, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Mona Abdel Aal El-Zohry, former Secretary-General of the Association; Prof. Sahar Ahmed Dewidar, Secretary-General of the Association; and Prof. Ansam Ali Seif, Assistant Secretary-General of the Association and Director of the Central Measurement and Evaluation Unit, alongside a distinguished group of university presidents, deans, vice deans, scholars, and researchers.

In his opening address, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen emphasized that the conference represents a vital platform for in-depth discussions on one of the most pressing issues in education, how to measure learning in a fair and inclusive manner.

He further noted that Ain Shams University, as a leading academic institution, places the development of assessment systems at the forefront of its priorities, stressing that the accuracy of measuring educational outcomes is the true guarantee of quality. He elaborated on the university’s vision for change, highlighting that relying solely on grades as a measure of student performance has proven insufficient, as numerical scores fail to reflect real skills or demonstrate critical thinking and analytical abilities required by today’s labor market. He strongly called for a comprehensive transformation in assessment concepts, shifting from rote memorization and recall to evaluating competencies, creativity, and innovation, in alignment with the strategic objectives of Egypt Vision 2030, which aims to build globally competitive citizens.

For her part, Prof. Sahar Ahmed Dewidar delivered a speech outlining the philosophical and technical objectives of the conference, held under the title “Multidimensional Assessment: Beyond Scores and Results.” She emphasized that the overarching goal is to formulate a new educational model that recognizes students’ personal development and transversal skills as integral components of academic achievement. She explained that the conference addresses precise scientific themes, ranging from programmatic assessment in vital sectors such as medicine and nursing, to the use of artificial intelligence in automated grading and exam systems, as well as the psychological dimensions of assessment and strategies to reduce test anxiety, ensuring student well-being and fostering a healthy educational environment aligned with the highest standards of academic integrity and institutional governance amid comprehensive digital transformation.

Meanwhile, Prof. Amr Ezzat Salama expressed his pride in being at Ain Shams University, describing it as a distinguished and pioneering institution at both the Arab and international levels. He affirmed that the Association of Arab Universities places special importance on the Scientific Association for Measurement and Evaluation as one of the most active scientific bodies contributing to bridging educational gaps across the Arab world.

He also highlighted that the challenge facing Arab universities today lies not only in updating curricula, but in “how to measure impact” on students, calling for the adoption of advanced assessment models inspired by successful global experiences such as those of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Oxford, which rely on project-based learning and continuous assessment. He noted that leveraging modern technologies and big data analytics in education has become essential for understanding the educational landscape and guiding policies to graduate generations equipped with knowledge and skills capable of leading innovation and the knowledge economy.

The conference concluded by emphasizing the continuation of specialized workshops aimed at training academic staff to design smart assessment systems that go beyond traditional approaches and enhance the quality of educational outcomes, in line with the broader framework of the university’s 14th International Conference.

At the closing ceremony, Sahar Ahmed Dwidar honored session chairs, moderators, and speakers in recognition of their outstanding contributions and valuable scientific input. The recognition included the presentation of the Ain Shams University shield to the speakers as a symbol of appreciation and pride in those contributing to the advancement of the educational system, amid wide praise for the leading role played by the association and the center in supporting scientific research and educational assessment.