By: Intan Farahana Abdul Rani
Tanjung Malim, 16 October 2024– The 3rd International Early Childhood Care and Education Conference (IECCEC 2024), held virtually from 15 to 16 October 2024, concluded successfully with experts, educators, and policymakers from across the globe gathering to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in the digital age.
Themed “Celebrating Diversity in Early Childhood Care and Education in the Digital Era,” the two-day event provided a platform to explore pressing issues such as inclusivity, access to quality education, and the role of technology in early learning environments.
Organized by the National Child Development Research Centre (NCDRC) and also Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) the conference aimed to foster partnerships among governments, educational institutions, and international organizations while equipping stakeholders with knowledge, tools, and strategies to enhance early learning outcomes.
The conference opened with a keynote speech by Deputy Head of School (Education) at the University of Sydney, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cathy Little, who emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to early childhood education.
Her presentation focused on the need to bridge the gap between traditional and digital approaches to learning while promoting inclusivity.
Following the keynote, participants attended a thought-provoking forum titled “Screens and Schedules: Balancing Digital and Real-World Play” which focused on strategies to manage children’s screen time while encouraging physical activities and interpersonal engagement. The forum featured two distinguished panelists: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Nazri Abdul Rahman from the University of Malaya and PM Dr. Gurdip Kaur Saminder Singh from UNITAR International University. The discussion was moderated by Mdm. Aishah Abdul Malek, a lecturer from UNISEL.
The afternoon session featured an Expert Talk titled “Educating Young Minds in the Digital World,” delivered by Dean of the School of Education and Human Science at Albukhary International University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Shahrom Tengku Shahdan.
This session focused on innovative teaching methodologies and the importance of equipping educators with digital competencies to nurture children’s development effectively. The session was chaired by Director of NCDRC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mazlina Che Mustafa.
The session stressed the importance of innovative teaching methodologies that integrate technology while safeguarding children’s developmental needs in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
Parallel sessions were held throughout the first day, with three virtual rooms hosting discussions on various ECCE topics during the morning session, followed by an afternoon session with presentations from different researchers.
These sessions provided an opportunity for participants to engage in in-depth discussions and share research findings.
The second day began with a keynote address by Director of SEAMEO CECCEP, Prof. Dr. Vina Adriany and faculty member at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. She discussed the importance of collaboration across nations to ensure that ECCE practices remain inclusive and adaptable, particularly in light of digital advancements.
This was followed by another keynote session led by Vice Chancellor of Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharifah Syahirah Sy Shiekh. Her speech centered on the need for policy development and leadership in ECCE, calling for increased support from governments and the private sector to strengthen early education systems globally.
The final parallel session took place from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, where participants presented research related to curriculum development, child psychology, and educational innovation.
The conference concluded with a closing ceremony that included the presentation of 13 key resolutions. These resolutions emphasized the importance of promoting inclusivity, building strategic partnerships, equipping teachers with 21st-century competencies, balancing digital tools with play-based learning, fostering leadership development, and encouraging global collaboration.
In her closing remarks, Director of NCDRC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mazlina Che Mustafa, expressed her gratitude to all speakers, panelists, participants, and partners for their contributions to the success of the conference.
She emphasized the need for sustained collaboration and innovation to create environments where every child can thrive, highlighting NCDRC’s commitment to turning the conference resolutions into actionable steps.
NCDRC announced several initiatives to ensure the implementation of the resolutions, including the creation of a knowledge-sharing platform to disseminate research and best practices through social media channels, fostering strategic partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and private sectors, and organizing continuous capacity-building workshops to enhance teachers’ skills in innovative teaching methodologies.
The 3rd IECCEC 2024 successfully laid the foundation for the future of ECCE, emphasizing diversity and the integration of technology in building strong foundations for lifelong learning.
The resolutions adopted reflect the shared commitment of all participants to improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood education, ensuring that no child is left behind.
The conference concluded on a high note, leaving participants inspired to continue working towards a better future for young learners.