International Society for Music Education (ISME) seminar opens at Canadian University Dubai
July 9th, 2018: Breakthrough findings on how music education and music training affects a person’s journey into life are being highlighted by international experts from over 20 countries who have gathered in Dubai for the 27th International Pre-Conference Research Seminar of the International Society for Music Education (ISME).
The five-day seminar hosted by Canadian University Dubai (CUD) was inaugurated today at the university’s Red Theatre, attended by delegates and invitees.
In the inaugural address, Professor Evelyn Orman, Professor of Music Education, University of North Carolina and Chair of ISME Research Commission, underlined the importance of continuing research in this critical topic, and added that the commissioners were impressed with the quality of papers that were submitted and would be presented during the seminar. She expressed her gratitude to the CUD for organising the event, and remarked that the international community owes the organisers for putting together an event of this magnitude.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of CUD, Prof. Karim Chelli, President of CUD, described music as an essential part of human development and stressed that research into music education has high relevance to all parts of the world, including the MENA region.
"I am confident the expert speakers and training workshops will provide new insights into the world of music education. I hope this major seminar will have a strong impact as out earlier initiative – the Conference on Climate Change – did earlier this year," Prof. Karim Chelli added.
Held under the theme, ‘Informing the Teaching and Learning of Life’s Journey through Music’, the event is one of a series of international seminars run as a precursor to the ISME World Conference, to be hosted in Azerbaijan from 15th July.
Focussing on the scholarly thinking surrounding life’s musical journey, the Seminar also marks the 50th anniversary of the ISME Research Commission. Facilitating this high-profile gathering of eminent international music educators and scholars in Dubai is Dr. Efthymios Papatzikis, Assistant Professor of Educational Neuroscience of Music and Sound at CUD, and Executive Organizer of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Papatzikis commented, “Research studies have shown that early musical training helps to develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. By default, this will help students achieve mastery in cognitive reactions that can serve them well in education and beyond.
“It has been proven that music can fine-tune auditory skills, builds imagination and intellectual curiosity, teach discipline, and support the development of creative thinking. This conference aims to highlight these benefits and to encourage greater awareness and participation in music education,” Dr. Papatzikis added.
During the week-long event, delegates will hear from academics from around the globe on subject as diverse as music programs for hearing impaired adolescents to the interplay of cultural musical identities. The Seminar will conclude with a Gala Dinner hosted at The Address Boulevard, Dubai; a kind offering of the Dubai Business Events and Tourism Authorities who from the very beginning supported along with CUD this important music education endeavour in Dubai.
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