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20 January 2026
International Day of Education, 24 January 2026

24 January marks the International Day of Education, a global observance highlighting the vital role of education in empowering young people and building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies. Closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, this year’s theme underscores the importance of engaging youth as active partners in reimagining how learning works. With young people comprising more than half of the global population, strengthening teaching and learning, supporting diverse learner needs, and embracing innovation are essential to equipping future generations with the skills and opportunities to shape the futures they aspire to.

Reflecting this mission, established MDPI journals in Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities serve as platforms for scholarly exchange and collaboration, advancing research on youth-centered learning, inclusive education, learner outcomes, emotional resilience, and the role of emerging technologies in modern education. Through these efforts, MDPI supports meaningful dialogue and research addressing both current and emerging challenges in education.

Invited speakers:


Dr. Sherif Abdelhamid, Virginia Military Institute, USA	Prof. Dr. Albert Ziegler, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany	Prof. Alison Kington, University of Worcester, UK

Dr. Ben Looker, University of Worcester, UK	Dr. Amy Been Bennett, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA	Dr. Amira Elnokaly, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK

We are pleased to share insights from our speakers as they reflect on education. They were invited to provide a short reflection on their presentation topic or respond to the question: “What is the biggest challenge or opportunity in education today?”

Name: Dr. Sherif E. Abdelhamid

Affiliation: Computer and Information Sciences Department, Virginia Military Institute, USA

“The future of education depends on our ability to design learning experiences that use technology to be more adaptive, immersive, and supportive of every student’s individual journey. By thoughtfully integrating technology into our classrooms and learning ecosystems, we can transform engagement into genuine empowerment—helping learners build confidence, resilience, and ownership over their success. In this presentation, I will share several learning platforms—including those I developed at VMI—that demonstrate how technology can humanize learning and expand opportunities for all”.

Name: Dr. Amira Elnokaly

Affiliation: School of Design and Architecture, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK

“Education today must do more than inform; it must empower learners to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape with confidence, creativity, and purpose. My work focuses on creating internationally attuned, inclusive, and industry-connected learning environments that help students find their voice, identity, and place in the world. I believe the future of higher education lies in its ability to build meaningful bridges between knowledge, practice, and societal need”.

Name: Prof. Dr. Albert Ziegler

Affiliation: University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Department of Psychology, Germany

“The biggest challenge in education today is that our systems were built for a world that no longer exists. We still organise learning through rigid structures and narrow definitions of ability, even as technological, social, and economic conditions demand far more flexible and resource-rich environments. The task ahead is to redesign systems so that every learner can access the conditions that allow talent to grow”.

~ Research Insight

“Inclusive education has dismantled learning barriers, empowering students to fully engage academically and socially at universities.”

~ Research Insight

“In South Africa, English terminology in sexuality education is perceived as less vulgar than local language terms, shaping cultural acceptance of CSE.”

~ Research Insight

“ChatGPT can hallucinate false information, making AI-generated answers sound credible and leaving students struggling to detect errors in education.”

Systematic Review on New Challenges of University Education Today: Innovation in the Educational Response and Teaching Perspective on Students with Disabilities

~ Social Sciences

Enhancing Comprehensive Sexuality Education for Students with Disabilities: Insights from Ontario’s Educational Framework

~ Sexes

“Using ChatGPT in Education: Human Reflection on ChatGPT’s Self-Reflection”

~ Societies