August 14, 2025 — Dubai, UAE. Makarius Smart Learning joined the Pulse of the Future in Education Practice, hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), a large-scale convening that drew 1,300+ participants and showcased 30+ AI demonstrations and breakout sessions on how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education—across teaching, research, and student success.
Why we were there
Our team engaged with institutional leaders, faculty innovators, and edtech partners to explore internationalization opportunities and compare notes on global best practices. The conversations centered on practical adoption: where AI measurably improves learning, how to resource faculty enablement, and what responsible-use guardrails look like in real classrooms.
By the numbers (event snapshot)
- 1,300+ attendees from the UAE and abroad
- 30+ AI showcases & breakouts spanning instruction, assessment, advising, and research workflows
- Cross-sector participation from universities, regulators, and industry
Takeaways we’re bringing home
- Evidence-first AI: Start with defined learning outcomes and trackable metrics—engagement, mastery, feedback speed—before scaling.
- Faculty capacity as the multiplier: Hands-on clinics and micro-credentials accelerate adoption far more than tools alone.
- Interoperable data: Cleaner course/outcome mapping enables early-risk detection and timely student support.
- Governance in the loop: Transparent policies for privacy, integrity, and model use must ship with the solution, not after it.
How this shapes our roadmap
Makarius is doubling down on collaborations that help universities pilot, prove, and scale AI responsibly—whether through adaptive learning paths, faster formative feedback, or early-intervention signals that keep students on track.
- PathBuilder will continue to support outcome mapping, rubric-aligned assessment, and mastery visibility for program heads.
- FutureClassroom will extend HyFlex-ready delivery and engagement analytics that fit the realities of modern campuses.
What’s next
Following the Dubai engagement, we’re initiating conversations for cross-border pilots, joint research on AI-supported assessment, and knowledge-sharing sessions for faculty leaders who want a clear path from exploration to institutional scale.
Institutions exploring responsible AI adoption can connect with us at msmartlearning.com to discuss pilots and partnerships.
