Exploring Innovation: PBL Conference Set to Convene UAE

In the coming months, educators, researchers and higher education professionals will gather in the UAE for a significant academic forum: the International Conference on Problem Based Learning Pedagogies in Higher Education (ICPBLPHE). According to information compiled by FEW.ae editor, this conference aims to provide a robust platform for discourse on problem-based learning (PBL) methodologies and their evolving role in universities globally.

Conference Location & Date Details

As listed on AllConferenceAlert, the ICPBLPHE is scheduled to take place on 14 November 2025, in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, under the auspices of the organizing body ASAR. While Ras al Khaimah is the announced venue in the event listing, some sources have sometimes referenced Sharjah for similar or related PBL gatherings. For the purposes of this event, Ras al Khaimah will host delegates, speakers, and accompanying sessions.

The conference is set to begin in the morning and run through the day (specific start and end times are not detailed in the listing). Organizers emphasize that accepted papers will be published in special edited volumes across journals indexed in Scopus, Springer, Inderscience, and UGC-approved outlets.

Organizers, Objectives & Academic Themes

The event is organized by ASAR, which is identified as the “organizer” in the AllConferenceAlert entry for the conference. A contact person named Samuel Edwin is also mentioned in association with international or abroad liaison responsibilities. The stated objective of the conference is to “develop and promote research advances and innovations in science and technology by providing financial aids so that economic stability does not retaliate on the research.”

ICPBLPHE is designed as a venue for research scholars, delegates, and students to interact and share knowledge, particularly in the domain of technology application and pedagogical innovation. Its overarching aim is to facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge developments in engineering, education, and related fields.

Accepted submissions will be compiled into special volumes, ensuring visibility through SCOPUS, Springer, Inderscience, and UGC-approved journals. All Conference Alerts This aspect underlines the organizers’ commitment to academic rigor and wider dissemination.

Venue & Accessibility

While the listing does not provide detailed descriptions of the conference hall or campus where the event will be held, Ras al Khaimah offers a growing infrastructure for conferences and educational gatherings. Delegates traveling from Dubai or other emirates may access Ras al Khaimah via road networks such as Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and use well-maintained highways into RAK. Given regional norms, shuttle buses or chartered coach services are sometimes organized for academic gatherings in UAE emirates.

For those considering public transport, inter-emirate bus services connect Dubai to Ras al Khaimah, though local travel to the venue would likely require taxis or rideshares once in RAK. Event announcements closer to the date may provide more granular logistical guidance, such as pickup points, venue maps, or campus navigation.

Timing, Local Conditions & Logistics

In mid-November, the UAE typically enjoys moderate weather—daytime temperatures in coastal and inland northern emirates (including Ras al Khaimah) often hover between 25 °C to 30 °C, with evenings cooling to the low 20s or high teens, and generally low humidity compared to summer months. This climate is favorable for seminars, outdoor receptions, and walking between conference venues.

Organizers may schedule tea breaks, poster sessions, and networking lounges interspersed between paper presentations. Given the academic nature, rooms may require projection systems, audio amplification, translation or interpretation booths (if multilingual sessions occur), poster boards, and WiFi connectivity across halls.

The technical demands of PBL themed workshops can include scenario-based group work, breakout rooms, and computer labs if interactive sessions require digital tools or simulations. Conference planners will need to ensure robust AV (audio-visual) support, strong internet bandwidth, backup systems, and smooth transitions between plenary and parallel sessions.

Academic Significance & Thematic Focus

Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach wherein students learn through engaging with and solving real-life or simulated problems, fostering critical thinking, self-directed learning, and collaboration. Over the years, PBL has gained traction in fields such as medicine, engineering, education, and the social sciences. The conference will provide a rare opportunity for scholars to present empirical research, theoretical frameworks, and case studies on PBL implementation across higher education contexts.

Topics expected to feature include design of problem scenarios, assessment strategies, technology integration in PBL, faculty development, cross-disciplinary PBL, evaluation and outcomes, and challenges of scaling PBL in large classes. The conference’s promise to publish accepted papers in respected indexed journals adds to its appeal, potentially influencing educator practice and institutional policy.

Given that many universities are adopting active learning and student-centered pedagogy, this conference may serve as a catalyst for new collaborations between Gulf region institutions and international researchers.

Anticipation & Academic Ecosystem

Within the UAE’s education landscape, hosting a conference dedicated to PBL in higher education positions the country as an emerging hub for pedagogical innovation. The event may attract delegates from across the Gulf, South Asia, Europe, and beyond. It also complements the UAE’s broader vision to become a knowledge economy and a crossroads for research and academic exchange.

Smaller symposiums, workshops, and roundtables may accompany main sessions, offering hands-on training, mentoring for early career researchers, or teacher development modules. Social programs such as receptions or institutional visits can further foster networking and cross-cultural dialogue.