Leaders in Education Conference
WED 16 NOVEMBER
10:25 - 10:30Welcome by Leaders in Education Conference Chair
Welcome by Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth, Senior Advisor of Carfax Education and Chair of the day for the Leaders in Education Conference.
Language : English///Arabic
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth | Senior Advisor | Carfax Education
10:30 - 10:55Everybody deserves to be treated unequally
If our educational system wants to live up to what the zeitgeist asks of us now and in the future, we have to learn to respectfully treat people unequally. Our commendable quest for equality in education has taken us too far. Students, staff members and everybody involved deserves to be treated unequally, because they are. That’s what makes them happy and unique. That’s what makes them special! Rob Houben believes all the elements and knowledge are there to achieve a form of education that makes everyone excel. Now we have to dare to rearrange our organisations to make this happen. And that’s what Rob and his colleagues are doing since Agora started in 2014. Agora is a government-funded public secondary school in Roermond, The Netherlands. A school where students learn to manage their own learning process, without predefined courses, classes, timetables, or age groups.
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Rob Houben | Founder | robhouben.com
10:55 - 11:15Is the Lens of School Marketing Broken?
International private schools continue to sell promise, adopting many filters that shadow authenticity. School Marketers are burnt out managing the ever-growing ubiquity of channels and platforms and force the same (narrow) story (focussing on success) in every channel, at the wrong time, to the wrong audience! Every school has success across academics, arts, sports, science & humanities - but this is not a USP. Unfortunately school marketing is inefficient & continues to buy parent's limited attention through congested paid for online channels. Digital word of mouth & true advocacy cannot be bought, it needs to be earned. Does a successful symphony conductor play every instrument, all the same time, at every concert? No. School Leadership is failing to transform the teaching workforce to own their story (play their instrument in tune) and be truly fit-for-purpose/relevant to the world around us. Simon continues his disruptive" #FutureSchool thinking
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Simon Noakes | Founder/CEO | Interactive Schools
11:20 - 11:40Why the Webcam will be Education's Best Friend a Decade Ahead
David will be stating the case of why the webcam will be education's best friend a decade ahead. He will talk about his journey and the mission of 8billionideas - to give every student on the planet the skills and belief to change the world, by providing a combination of virtual and hybrid services into schools. The webcam means children are no longer limited to opportunity, teacher workload is improved by outsourcing key elements, it is sustainable and cost effective.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
David Harkin | CEO | 8billionideas Ltd
11:40 - 12:00When is the Metaverse better than real life for learning?
The clue is in Avatar, not VR.
For the last two years, Space Zero has been investigating the possibilities of the Metaverse. We have found some fascinating insights that point to the positive uses of this technology that will make education more powerful, memorable, collaborative and effective, rather than the "Digitally dystopian" future many people fear.
In this talk, we will share what we have learned but also what we are building.
Language : English
Topic : Digital / eLearning
Speaker:
David Judge | Executive Creative Director | Space Zero
12:00 - 12:20Designing in the Desert – solutions towards a carbon neutral school.
Ian Bogle, Creative Director at Bogle Architects, will share the design process that has lead to the sustainable design of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai which recently achieved the accolade of Best Architecture Environment, Design and Sustainability in a UAE School.
Language : English
Topic : Learning Environment
Speaker:
Ian Bogle | Creative Director | Bogle Architects
12:20 - 13:00Early Years Panel Session: Lessons learnt: the way forward for Early Years Settings
After the tumultuous past three years when early years settings have had to drastically change their practice, many early years leaders are taking stock of where they are now. Change is inevitable and we know the best settings are always looking at ways to improve on the previous best, but what happens when massive and sudden changes are imposed? Practice has been impacted in all areas of practice from the curriculum to staffing. This panel session discusses what this means for early years settings and how we can learn lessons and emerge stronger and more resilient.
Language : English
Topic : Curriculum
Speaker:
Dr. Sarah Rogers | CEO | Quest Direct Professional Services
Panellists:
Janet O' Keeffe | Executive Principal, Governor for Safeguarding & Inclusion | Scholars International Group
Fiona Carter | Director of Education | Wellington College International
Zeena Assam | Managing Director/Coach | Creative Nest Nursery
Caz Jude | Head of Early Childhood | The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls
13:00 - 13:20LEADERS IN EDUCATION SPONSOR: Accelerating education with AWS
Yazeed Sheqem
Digital Skills Program Manager MENA
Amazon Web Services
Language : English
Topic : Digital / eLearning
Speaker:
Yazeed Sheqem | Digital Skills Program Manager MENA | Amazon Web Services
13:20 - 14:00Leadership as a solution to modern educational challenges
The EdHeroes Network has organized this session to address the changes in the landscape of education, from the means of delivery to entire educational programs. The priority of subjects and skills necessary for a curriculum is being reassessed, and we are sitting at the edge of a new educational system. The need for soft skills and adaptability became more apparent, and many leaders and innovators have emerged. We now know that leadership skills can be acquired, arguably, at any age. The EdHeroes Network emerged to bridge the skill gap in education with the help of its many partners, leaders and projects. This section is dedicated to the importance of cultivating leadership in children, teachers, educators, parents and more, as well as the means and methods to do so. Follow along to hear experts’ insights and opinions, and ask important questions.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Moderator:
Elina Khannanova | Head of Programs for Executives, Founder | R. University, Oscar Club Education
Speakers:
Dr. Shaun Conway | EdHeroes Advisory Board member; Founder and President of ixo Foundation
Anna Molero | Chief Government Officer | Teach For All
Armands Murnieks | Resident of EQUIUM Dubai, Founder and CEO of Arteam Investment, DUBAI, Co-Founder of Global Unit Pay
14:00 - 14:20Re-Imagining Education
The past couple of years have fundamentally changed the education landscape. Schools are relying on technology in unprecedented ways, shining a light on the fact that solutions that were once “good enough” for learning, no longer meet the bar. This moment presents a unique opportunity to reimagine how we can use new technology for schools to empower educators and unlock new possibilities for all learners. Join us to explore together how we can provide each child with an opportunity for a great education—one that leads to success in career and in life.
Language : English
Topic : Digital / eLearning
Speaker:
Majed Akl | Primary and Secondary Education Director | Microsoft Middle East & Africa
14:20 - 14:40Students understanding their own learning journey
If we want our students to perform highly, we need them to understand themselves and their learning. This talk looks at how the High Performance Learning (HPL) philosophy and framework, is used in HPL accredited schools to give students a language by which they can talk about their learning. The talk explores the language used, why this is important and how it enables students to become intellectually confident. Using case studies of individual students and their teachers will form an integral part of the presentation. HPL was developed by Professor Eyre and based on over 40 years of research into how the most successful learners think and learn, HPL helps schools develop a positive culture where students are confident and engaged in their learning, staff are enjoying their teaching and where existing teaching and learning approaches are strengthened so that ensure that far more students reach high performance.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Prof. Deborah Eyre | Founder and Chair | High Performance Learning
14:40 - 15:10Let’s have a conversation about the effective education design process
Armchair chat between Ian Bogle and Peter Stapley.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speakers:
Ian Bogle | Creative Director | Bogle Architects
Peter Stapley | Head of Projects | Cognita Middle East
15:10 - 15:30Lessons from an International Leadership Journey
From England to the Netherlands, France to Switzerland, Qatar to Saudi Arabia – Dr Steffen Sommer talks about the leadership lessons he has learned on his extraordinary journey in education. He reflects on the ones he believes will be most relevant as he establishes himself as Director General at Misk Schools in Saudi Arabia – a school at the forefront of ambitious thinking at arguably one of the most exciting periods in the Kingdom’s history. Most particularly, he would like to share his views on the importance of perseverance, a positive mindset and knowing what you want.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Dr. Steffen Sommer | Director General | Misk Schools
15:30 - 15:50“Strategic Leadership for Education Systems” - Towards an Excellence Framework
The session addresses Leadership for Education Systems from a strategic perspective. It discusses the development of an Excellence Framework for strategic leaders of education systems in MENA for both K-12 and Higher Education.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Hesham Metwalli | Director of Accelerator and Special Programs - Sharjah Education Academy - Sharjah Government | Sharjah Education Academy - Sharjah Government
15:50 - 16:40So … what IS the future of work?
This forward-thinking panel session, chaired by Dr Helen Wright, will challenge the participants to think about what the world of work could and should look like, and how schools need to prepare their students to respond – and shape – this vision. Areas covered will include:
· What do children and young people really want out of work and life?
· What are we doing in schools to lead the way?
· How can we plan in schools for the future of the world of work?
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Moderator:
Dr. Helen Wright | Director | Global Thought Leadership
Panellists:
Rob Houben | Founder | robhouben.com
Maria Vitoratos | Executive Careers Coach | Self-funded/Consultant
Sepideh Samadi | Career Advisor, Lecturer | The British University in Dubai
Pieter De Bruyn | Entrepreneur / Co-Founder Wing.Studio | Wing.Studio
Adam Crossley | Head of Secondary | Reach British School
Colleen Menichini | University and Career Counselor | Uptown School
Sorcha Coyle | Founder | Sorcha Coyle Empowering Expat Teachers
THU 17 NOVEMBER
10:25 - 10:30Welcome by Leaders in Education Conference Chair
Welcome by Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth, Senior Advisor of Carfax Education and Chair of the day for the Leaders in Education Conference.
Language : English///Arabic
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth | Senior Advisor | Carfax Education
10:30 - 11:30It Takes a Child to Raise a Village
During this talk, we will discuss the impact that essential skills and the development of critical thinking have on our children's cognitive, social, and emotional development.
We will also explore how the synergy between home and school is crucial when it comes to empowering our students to be today's learners for tomorrow's world. A world where giving service to those around us, prepares our students for a future we are yet to understand.
Language : English///Arabic
Topic : Early Years
Speaker:
Gavin McCormack | Co-Founder | upschool.co
11:30 - 12:15What do we actually mean by inclusion in schools and Early Years
The panel will discuss best practices and the learning space plus staffing requirements and student outcomes
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Moderators:
Rania Badreldin | Happiness Consultant, Transformational Speaker and Writer, Seasoned Social Entrepreneur, NLP and Hypnosis Master Practitioner | The Family Hub
Sari Saliba | Operations and Education Director | Blossom by Babilou
Ida Andrea Braganza | HOD - Inclusion and Wellbeing | The Millennium School, GEMS
Ghada Elfar | SENDCo | Sharjah American International school
Rachel Smith-Green | Head of Inclusion | The Arbor School
12:15 - 12:45Why every leader should have a coach
armchair chat with Dr Helen Wright and Jeni Dellman
This session will make a passionate case for how essential coaching is for school leaders, and – drawing on Dr Helen Wright’s experience of coaching school leaders for several years - will explore:
· Why schools and school groups are catching up with businesses in providing coaching for their leaders
· The transformative power of coaching in school leadership: examples of what can emerge
· Personal and professional coaching questions for school leaders
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speakers:
Dr. Helen Wright | Director | Global Thought Leadership
Jeni Dellman | Head of Primary School | British School Muscat
12:45 - 13:05The importance of educational and community goals in school campus design
BUILD CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY & A DESIRE TO LEAD: The student-centred design of Misk Schools new 21 ha campus (110,000m2 of buildings) facilitates individual & team creativity, inspires ingenuity, showcases & celebrates new ideas
SUPPORT PERSONALISED LEARNING: All indoor/ outdoor areas have become flexible & adaptable blended learning spaces that meet the developmental needs of each cohort and support different learning styles – taught classes, independent study, 1:1 coaching, collaborative & peer-to-peer learning, group project work, team presentations
FOSTER BELONGING: Modern campuses cultivate community, reinforce values, feed the soul. Buildings that are beautiful, sustainable (LEED & Well certified) & light-filled make people comfortable & welcome. Health & wellbeing are nourished when landscaping & external furniture provide places to exercise, relax, study, build relationships
DELIVER 100% CONNECTIVITY: Tech must be pervasive, scalable & secure; access to power ubiquitous
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Paul Whittle | Director of Operations | Misk Schools
13:25 - 13:45Reimagining Education with Citizens
Citizens School, which opens its doors in September 2022, is the first school in the Middle East to accept cryptocurrency as a mode of payment for tuition fees. This is just one of the many initiatives the school intends to take as part of its novel approach to learning and innovation.
During this talk, Dr. Adil Alzarooni, Founder Citizens School, will speak about how his new school aims to disrupt and transform the education sector in the region, preparing a new generation that embraces new ideas and technologies.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Dr. Adil AlZarooni | Chairman | Citizens School
13:45 - 14:30Armchair chat with:
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speakers:
David Judge | Executive Creative Director | Space Zero
David Harkin | CEO | 8billionideas Ltd
14:30 - 15:15The Metaverse & Future learning
What does it mean for education
The panel will discuss how new concepts in education are making an impact across all levels of education.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Moderators:
Al Kingsley | CEO of NetSupport and Author of My Secret #EdTech Diary | NetSupport
Dr. Inas Sobhy | CIO - Chief Intelligence Officer | Badr University
Sreejit Chakrabarty | Director - Artificial Intelligence & Robotics | GEMS Education
Dr Claire Shea | Deputy Superintendent | American Creativity Academy
Dennis Kambeitz | CEO | EZ-Robot
15:15 - 16:00Education for the Future
This panel will discuss the current structure of education within schools and on-line what will schools look like in the future, including the curriculum and the learning environment how change is happening now.
Language : English
Topic : Curriculum
Moderator:
Dennis Kambeitz | CEO | EZ-Robot
Panellists:
Carl Morris | Principal & Co-Founder | Carfax College & The Online School
Simon Noakes | Founder/CEO | Interactive Schools
David Harkin | CEO | 8billionideas Ltd
Russell Cailey | Executive Director | THINK Learning Studio
Toby Hunt | CEO | Earth Cubs
Gavin McCormack | Co-Founder | upschool.co