Selangor, Malaysia, 2 May 2025 -  A distinguished delegation of educators and curriculum specialists from Uganda, primarily representing the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and Makerere University, participated in a Study Visit and Training of Trainers Workshop on Thinking Skills and Wisdom Pedagogy, held from 21st to 30th April 2025 at the Kulliyyah of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

This initiative is facilitated by the Kuala Lumpur Center of Excellence (KLCoE) in strategic collaboration with the IsDB Regional Hub Kampala, Uganda and the Reverse Linkage Division of the Cooperation and Capacity Development Department of IsDB. It represents a significant step forward in strengthening South-South collaboration in transformative education.

The study visit aims to build Uganda’s national capacity to effectively integrate and assess 21st-century thinking skills within the framework of its new curriculum reforms. Key objectives include:

•Equipping Ugandan participants with intensive training and certification in the      development, integration, and assessment of 21st-century skills.

• Supporting the creation of tailor-made training materials, including manuals, guides, and prototypes that are contextually relevant and pedagogically sound.

• Establishing a critical mass of certified educators and curriculum developers who will serve as master trainers and champions for the nationwide scaling of Wisdom Pedagogy.

•Fostering a long-term collaboration to embed holistic and value-driven educational  approaches in Uganda’s education system.

Pioneered by IIUM, Wisdom pedagogy, also known as ‘Hikmah,’ pedagogy, focuses on integrating wisdom principles into teaching and learning to foster ethical, compassionate, and beneficial decision-making. It goes beyond rote knowledge acquisition, aiming to cultivate students' ability to apply their knowledge in a way that is beneficial to themselves and others, ultimately improving the world. The workshop features a series of immersive sessions, expert-led modules, and collaborative development of curriculum tools, reflecting IIUM’s pioneering role in Wisdom Pedagogy.

In his remarks during the opening session of the programme, Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of the Kuala Lumpur Center of Excellence (KLCoE), highlighted the broader significance of the initiative, stating: "This workshop goes beyond a training exercise—it symbolizes a strategic partnership among the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Republic of Uganda, and Malaysia. It stands as a powerful example of South-South cooperation and reflects our shared conviction in education as a catalyst for unlocking human potential and driving sustainable progress. IsDB is honored to facilitate this meaningful exchange, and we are confident that it will lay the foundation for lasting collaboration and mutual learning between the nations."

The Ugandan delegation expressed appreciation for the hospitality and the opportunity to learn from Malaysia’s educational innovations. The training program is poised to lay the groundwork for future bilateral projects and continuous professional development opportunities that will support ongoing curriculum transformation efforts in Uganda and beyond.