Programme

World Schools Summit Programme 2024

Our programme offers a variety of engaging and interactive sessions designed to deliver valuable insights, spark meaningful discussions, and strengthen networking opportunities. Each format is carefully crafted to provide unique experiences that encourage active participation, ensuring you gain practical knowledge and make lasting connections.

23 November 2024

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
08:00 - 09:00 60 min Registration
09:00 - 11:25 2h25min Main stage Opening Plenary
Welcome Remarks
Vikas Pota
Founder & CEO, T4 Education, UK
Simon O’Connor
Chairman, WSS Leadership Council & Director, Deira International School, UAE
What makes our schools great Advik Shukla
Student, GEMS Legacy School, UAE
Rashid Al Nuami
Hartland International School, UAE
Orlagh Traynor
Student, The British School Al Khubairat, UAE
Keynote address Andreas Schleicher
Director of Education, OECD, France
Certificate of honour presentation Alex Crossman
Headmaster, London Academy of Excellence, UK
Leading from the front, a conversation with H.E. Aisha Miran Simon O’Connor
Chairman, WSS Leadership Council & Director, Deira International School, UAE

Mariam Alawadhi
Deputy Head Girl, Deira International School, UAE

HE Aisha Miran
Director General, KHDA, UAE
Commitments to action
A call to action Charles Odong
Headmaster, Wakadogo School, Uganda
11:25 - 11:45 20min Break

Breakout Sessions: 1

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
11:45 - 12:35 50min
Yellow stage Presentation:
Unlocking the hidden curriculum - learn about the latest strategies for measuring and improving your school culture.
Mike Fisher
COO & Head of Insights, T4 Education, UK

Laura Gibson
Senior Partnerships Manager, T4 Education, UK

Purple stage Debate:
This house believes universities perpetuate a world that no longer exists
Moderator:
Mayank Dhingra
Senior Education Business Leader, HP, UAE

For the motion:
Pratham Mittal
Founder, Masters’ Union, India

H.E. Rossieli Soares da Silva
Minister of Education, State of Pará, Brazil

Against the motion:
Mosharraf Zaidi
Founding Partner, Tabadlab, Pakistan

Asma Siddiki
Exec Director of Education and Research, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, Saudi Arabia
Red stage Scholastic EdTalk:
How we are implementing Malaysia’s first digital school

Working with businesses won us the World’s Best School Prize
Shahnaz Al Sadat
Chairperson, LeapEd Services Sdn Bhd, Malaysia

Luis Arocha
Principal, Colegio Maria de Guadalupe, Argentina
Green stage Meet the Mentor:
Do we measure what really matters?
Interviewer:
Asheesh Advani
CEO, JA Worldwide, USA

Mentor:
Andreas Schleicher
Director of Education, OECD, France
Blue stage Panel Discussion:
The future of Arabic education
Moderator:
Farah Sarraj
Chief Corporate Officer, Al Futtaim School Management Company, UAE

Panelists:
Nabila Bashir
Director of Business Development at Queen Rania Teacher Academy, Jordan

Dr. Moustafa Moharrem
Senior Educational Inspector and Quality Assurance Evaluator at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, UAE

Eyad Darawsheh
General Manager of Miqyas Al Dhad, UAE
Pink stage Workshop:
Best School to Work: building leadership initiatives in schools
Facilitator:
Vijita Patel
Principal, Swiss Cottage School, UK
12:35 - 13:35 60min Lunch

Breakout Sessions: 2

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
13:35 - 14:25 50min
Purple stage Debate:
This house believes that schools should prioritise students' mental well-being over standardised test scores

Moderator:
Lizzie Hacking
Strategic Relations Lead, Yondr, UK

For the motion:
Maggie MacDonnell
Global Teacher Prize winner, Canada

Asad Raza
Student, Deira International School, UAE

Against the motion:
Alex Crossman
Headmaster, London Academy of Excellence, UK

Kuzey Karci
Student, Deira International School, UAE

Red stage Scholastic EdTalks:
School is just the start. Here's how to help girls succeed in life


Championing girls' education: Insights and strategies for success
Angeline Murimwira
CEO, Camfed, Zimbabwe

Nankunda Hope
Central Region Coordinator, Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage, Uganda
Green stage Meet the Mentor:
Reimagining education: experiences of Aldar Education
Interviewer:
Duriya Aziz
Senior Vice President, Scholastic Inc, Singapore

Mentor:
Sahar Cooper
Aldar Education, UAE
Blue stage Panel Discussion:The future of the international school workforce

Moderator:
Danielle West
CEO, Inicio Partners, UK

Panelists:
Ryan Pinto
CEO, Ryan Schools, India

Poonam Bhojani
CEO, Innoventures, UAE

Mark Leppard
Headmaster, The British School Al Khubairat, UAE

Pink stage Workshop:
Promoting teacher growth through coaching: Explore practical strategies to strengthen school leaders' support for teachers through lesson observation
Facilitators:
Tamara Philip
Director of Networks and Programs, UK

Adhishree Parasnis
Communications Director, Global School Leaders, India

Yellow stage AI Masterclass:
Transforming leading and learning with AI
Alex Gray
Founder, DEEP Learning, UAE
14:25 - 14:35 10min Break

Breakout Sessions: 3

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
14:35 - 15:25 50min
Yellow stage Presentation:
Getting a 360-degree view of your school’s culture. Learn about Best School to Work.
Mike Fisher
COO & Head of Insights, T4 Education, UK

Laura Gibson
Senior Partnerships Manager, T4 Education, UK

Purple stage Debate:
This House believes existing curricula are not fit for purpose
Moderator:
Kavita Sanghvi
Principal, CNM School, India

For the motion:
Nik Kafka
CEO, Teach A Man to Fish, UK

Parvathy Nair
Student, Hartland International School, UAE

Against the motion:
Paul West
CEO, Spencer Academies Trust, UK

David Edwards
Director General, Education Research & Innovation, Neom, Saudi Arabia
Red stage Scholastic EdTalks:
Preparing students to thrive and embrace an uncertain future
Nargish Khambatta
Principal & CEO, GEMS Modern Academy, UAE
How integrating agriculture in K-12 education can transform school performance and grow a healthier future Stephen Ritz
Founder, Green Bronx Machine, USA
Green stage Meet the Mentor:
What is the one skill that young people need to be ready for the future of jobs?
Interviewer:
Ajay Shukla
General Manager, IIT Delhi, UAE

Mentor:
Asheesh Advani
CEO, JA Worldwide & Author of Modern Achievement, USA
Blue stage Panel Discussion:
Placing the well-being agenda front & centre
Moderator:
Nadim Saad
Founder & CEO, The Happy Confident Company, UK

Panelists:
Funke Baffour-Awuah
Corporate Head of Wellbeing, GEMS Education, UAE

Sandra Ospina
Head of School, SEK International School, Saudi Arabia

Pink Stage Workshop:
Fostering a culture of school-based research: Empowering educators for evidence-informed practice - Centre for Education Action Research
Simon O'Connor
Chairman, WSS Leadership Council & Director, Deira International School, UAE

Sarah K Benson
Associate Professor, University of Birmingham, UAE

Emma Hannon
Secondary Deputy Headteacher, Deira International School, UAE

15:00 - 15:10 10min Break
15:35 - 16:25 75min Main stage Closing plenary:
Panel discussion: How do we unlock the hidden curriculum
Mike Fisher
Chief Operating Officer, T4 Education, UK

Mark Leppard
Headmaster, The British School Al Khubairat, UAE

Asha Alexander
Principal & CEO, GEMS Legacy School, UAE
Commitments to action
Summary and recap of first day Vikas Pota
Founder & CEO, T4 Education, UK

24 November 2024

Time Hour/Min Session Topic Speakers
08:00 - 09:00 60min Main stage Registration
09:00 - 09:20 20min Opening plenary:
Recap of day 1
Vikas Pota
CEO T4 Education, UK

09:20 - 09:50 30min The world of work - how do we prepare young people for the future? Moderator:
Vikas Pota
CEO T4 Education, UK

Mayank Dhingra
Senior Education Business Leader, HP, UAE

Ayla Bajwa
Senior Vice President, Sustainability, DP World, UAE
10:00 - 10:10 10min Break

Breakout Sessions: 4

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
10:10 - 11:00 50min
Purple stage Debate:
This house believes taxpayers will demand AI replace teachers
Moderator:
Ana Ligia Scachetti
CEO, Nova Escola, Brazil

For the motion:
Athar Osama
Founder/CEO INNOVentures Global & World Science Collaborative, Pakistan

Dr. Jesús Jara
New K-12 Global Practice Leader, Prometric, USA

Against the motion:
Nkazimulo Zitha
Head of Primary Schools, Spark Schools, South Africa

William Campbell
Founding Head of School, Franklin School USA

Red stage Scholastic EdTalks:
Use of assessments for improving learning
Pranav Kothari
Education Initiatives, India
How to ensure the right to a quality meaningful education. Experiences from a nationwide movement in Pakistan Baela Jamil
CEO, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, Pakistan
Green stage Meet the Mentor:
How do we activate student agency?
Interviewer:
Leisa Grace Wilson
Editorial Director of Teach Middle East

Mentor:
Kiran Bir Sethi
Design for Change & The Riverside School, India
Blue stage Panel Discussion:
Redesigning Schools for Real-World Learning: Bridging the Gap Between the World of Work and the Classroom
Moderator:
Saurabh Saxena
CEO, Power Club, USA

Panelists:
Olli-Pekka Heinonen
Director General, International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), Finland

Glen Radojkovich
Director of Education, Taaleem, UAE

Jan Stipek
Principal, Regent International School, UAE

Sangita Chima
Principal, Amity School, UAE
Pink stage Workshop:
Best School to Work: How we engender collaboration in our schools
Carmen Pellicer
Founder and CEO, Fundación Trilema, Spain
Yellow stage AI Masterclass:
Creative teaching and learning - discover how AI can transform a classroom. This workshop will show you how AI can be integrated into teaching practice
Alex Gray
Founder, DEEP Learning, UAE
11:00 - 11:30 30min Break

Breakout Sessions: 5

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
11:30 - 12:20 50min
Yellow stage Presentation:
Unlocking the hidden curriculum - a report card on your school’s health. Hear about how Best School to Work drives higher performance.
Mike Fisher
COO & Head of Insights, T4 Education, UK

Laura Gibson
Senior Partnerships Manager, T4 Education, UK
Purple stage Meet the Mentor:
What can we learn from Chinese schools?
Interviewer:
Leticia Lyle
Principal, Camino School, Brazil

Mentor:
Shiny Wang
Vice Principal, Beijing No.4 High School International Campus, China
Green stage Meet the Mentor:
Pursuing the innovation agenda in Brazil’s schools
Interviewer:
Vikas Pota
Founder & CEO, T4 Education, UK

Mentor:
H.E. Rossieli Soares da Silva
Minister of Education, State of Pará, Brazil
Blue stage Panel Discussion:
How to build ecosystems for education reform
Moderator:
Yamama Al Oraibi
Youth & Employability Expert, UAE

Panelists:

Olli-Pekka Heinonen
Director General, International Baccalaureate, Finland

Naghma Mulla
CEO, Edelgive Foundation, India

Simon Sommer
Co-CEO, Jacobs Foundation, Switzerland
Pink stage Workshop:
How to teach entrepreneurship
Facilitators:
Tania Daniel
Vice President of Entrepreneurship Initiatives, UAE

Jeff Hittner
Head of High Potential Leaders Fellowship, Junior Achievement Worldwide, UAE

Yellow stage AI Masterclass:
A student’s perspective - in this workshop, we will explore the potential of AI for student learning. Discover how AI can support
Alex Gray
Founder, DEEP Learning, UAE
12:20 - 13:15 60min Lunch

Breakout Sessions: 6

Time Hour/Min Stage About Speakers
13:15 - 14:05 50min
Red stage Scholastic EdTalks:
Five lessons from the latest research on learning science
Simon Sommer
Co-CEO, Jacobs Foundation, Switzerland
Gratitude as pedagogy Abhilasha Singh
Principal, Shining Star International School, UAE
Green stage Meet the Mentor:
From a teacher to CEO: Insights on leadership in education
Moderator:
Vikas Pota
Founder & CEO, T4 Education, UK

Mentor:
Alan Williamson
CEO, Taaleem, UAE
Blue stage Panel Discussion
Building bridges and breaking barriers - supporting women's rise to the top
Moderator:
Fiona Cottam
Principal, Hartland International School, UAE

Panelists:
Sandra Ospina
Head of School, SEK International School, Saudi Arabia

Anne-Laure Malauzat
Partner, Bain & Co, UAE

Viktoriia Osadcha
President, Unbreakable Ukraine Foundation, Poland

Laura Cepeda
Chair, ELF Women in Leadership Community, UAE
Red stage Panel Discussion:
The power of EdTech - how far can it take us in our schools?
Moderator:
Christopher Matthews
Principal, Global Strategy & Business Development, AWS, UK

Panelists:
Paul Skidmore
Executive Chairman, Rising Academy, Ghana

Dr. Jesús Jara
New K-12 Global Practice Leader, Prometric, USA

Ashwin Assomull
Partner, LEK Consulting Global Education Practice, UAE
Pink stage Workshop:
Best School to Work: Promoting professional wellness in school
Facilitator:
Vijita Patel
Principal, Swiss Cottage School, UK

14:15 - 16:20 1h and 05min Main stage Closing Plenary:
Learning from the best: Meet winners and finalists of the World’s Best School Prizes
Moderator:
Maggie MacDonnell
Global Teacher Prize winner, Canada

A presentation on leadership Olli-Pekka Heinonen
Director general, IB, Finland

In conversation with Omar A. Al Futtaim Omar A. Al Futtaim
Vice chairman & CEO, Al-Futtaim Group, UAE

Conference final session & vote of thanks Vikas Pota
Founder & CEO, T4 Education, UK

Closing performance Students of Al Futtaim Education Foundation
Summit Closure

About all the sessions

Inspire & Engage:


Our plenary sessions are designed to inspire and engage with dynamic discussions on the most critical topics in Education.

Engage & Challenge:


Join us for sessions where thought-provoking ideas and diverse perspectives come together! Engage in dynamic debates on pressing topics, from Wellbeing to AI in Education. Hear from experts on both sides of the issues and leave inspired and enlightened.

One-on-One Insights:


Learn from experienced mentors driving real progress in education. Engage in focused conversations and moderated discussions, gaining practical insights on key educational topics.

Global Perspectives:


Join expert panels as they tackle major global education issues, offering perspectives that shape high-performance education.

Hands-On Learning:


Immerse yourself in interactive learning experiences tailored to enhance your skills and knowledge. Led by experienced facilitators, these workshops offer practical insights, group discussions, and hands-on activities for every level.

Focused, High-Impact Sessions:


Join expert-led talks centred on this year’s main theme. Each session provides practical insights from experienced leaders across the globe, followed by a Q&A to deepen your understanding.

Master AI:


Unlock the secrets of AI with our specialised masterclasses. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, these sessions offer hands-on learning, practical examples, and cutting-edge knowledge to advance your AI journey. Don't forget to bring your computer devices!

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