Day 1 - Asia/Dubai
This session explores what educational leadership will demand in the next decade as Dubai continues to position itself as a global education hub. We'll examine emerging trends in pedagogy, technology, student wellbeing, and community expectations, alongside the leadership capabilities required to navigate rapid change. Participants will gain strategic insights into building future-ready schools that balance innovation with cultural identity, academic excellence with holistic development, and global standards with local values.
This session explores how education leaders can lead thoughtful digital transformation that enhances learning without losing sight of human connection, creativity, and critical thinking. We'll look at how to make strategic technology decisions, support teachers in meaningful integration, and prepare students for a digital future while maintaining balance and wellbeing. Participants will gain frameworks for evaluating edtech, building digital literacy across the school community, and ensuring technology serves pedagogy, not the other way around.
The case for assessment reform has been made. This session is about what comes next. Grounded in my white paper Assessment 3.0: Aligning K-12 Education with Life Beyond School and drawing from discussions at the Roundtable on Assessment for Future Schools, this session will offer a phased model for moving from exam-centric systems toward portfolio-based, competency-driven, AI-supported assessment, tested in active partnership with universities and employers. One idea runs through it: in a world where AI can pass most of our tests, the tests are the problem. Change what you measure, and teaching shifts without being pushed. Assessment is not the last thing to change. It is the lever.
- Steffen Sommer - Director General, Misk Schools