15 & 16 October: Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Garden Inn, UAE
17 October: School & University Visits
Chaired by: Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth, Former Headmaster of Repton School & Former CEO of Evolvence Knowledge Investments
Day One – Tuesday 15 October
8.00 – Registration, refreshments and networking
9.00 – Chair’s Welcome
Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth, Former Headmaster of Repton School & Former CEO of
Evolvence Knowledge Investments
9.05 – Opening by VIP
9.15 – Mobilizing International and Private Schools as Key Partners in the Domestic Education Sector: Challenges and Opportunities for Governments in the GCC
This talk will examine how in the GCC the high percentage of expatriates and resulting proliferation of private schools offers national governments an opportunity to expand and improve their own education systems but also presents a challenge in terms of assuring quality and access for all resident children. How governments respond to these opportunities and challenges will ultimately influence the education sector of the country.
Natasha Ridge, Founding Executive Director, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research
9.35 – Road we Travelled – RAKEZ Academic Zone
Taner Topcu, Director of Academic Zone, RAKEZ
9.55 – The next big K12 opportunity – GCC and beyond
What are the key opportunities for operators within the GCC and in other significant education markets across the globe? This session will provide a worldview in 20 slides, with a focus on trends within the region’s K-12 market, as well as perspectives on markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar and others that hold massive potential for growth and expansion.
Ashwin Assomull, Partner, L.E.K. Consulting
10.15 – Keynote: What’s love got to do with it? A sustainable view of the future of private education in Dubai
Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General, Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA)
10.35 – Refreshment Break & Networking
11.00 – Educate a Child and Build a Nation
The basic genesis of the topic is, educating young children so that, we can see a better and secure future. Importance of imparting quality education and ensuring that children get to learn, and prepare for a competitive world on one hand and create a secure society. Education is a road to eliminate poverty and create harmony and better understanding of inter-cultural issues, foundation of a great Nation.
Dinesh Kothari, Managing Director, Delhi Private School
11.20 – The Journey of St. Mary’s Private High School (RAK)
The talk will provide an overview of the St. Mary’s Group of Schools including how the group enhances the quality of teaching and learning and shares best practice. An overview of the development journey of St. Mary’s Private High School in Ras Al Khaimah will be provided. The theme of the school’s first year of operation is “Unity in Diversity.”
Joseph Flynn, Managing Director, St Mary’s Group of Schools
11.40 – Early Childhood Education in Middle East & Africa – The Challenges and Opportunities – An Operator’s Perspective
• How is the Dubai Market unique?
• Regulatory challenges for growth in the region.
• Lack of mid-market, mass-market brands and home-based childcare provisions.
• Opportunities for consolidation in the UAE market.
• Regional Opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
• Other markets to explore – Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt.
• The lack of private equity and investment in the sector outside Dubai and challenges for deal-making.
Umair Tariq, CFO & CEO, Middle East & Africa, Kido Schools
12.00 – Life long learning begins in Early Childhood – Finland’s approach to early years education
Early childhood education is vital for the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs building a solid base for positive lifelong learning and wellbeing to foster caring, capable and responsible future citizens.
• The importance of Early Years education in promoting positive lifelong learning
• The Finnish Approach to early years education and why children learn best through play based learning.
• Why we chose to bring Finland’s Early Years Education and Care curriculum to the UAE.
Maryum Nawaz, Nursery Development and Marketing Manager, B.E.S.T. Education Group – Best Kidz Nursery (Finnish ECEC Nurseries)
12.20 – An overview of the legal and regulatory framework in the UAE, and how it impacts schools
This presentation will give a high-level overview of relevant legal and regulatory considerations for operators and investors looking to establish new schools across the UAE and the wider region. Including how education regulatory requirements can impact on the various stakeholders in a school project. We will also touch upon recent developments regarding foreign ownership in the UAE.
Ross Barfoot, Partner, Clyde & Co
Katy Thomson, Corporate Associate, Clyde & Co
12.50 – Focus on implementing assessment into a new school
Naveed Iqbal, Principal, International School of Creative Science – representing GL Education
1.10 – Lunch & Networking
2.30 – Opening a British branch school in the Gulf – a perspective from RGS Guildford
RGS Guildford opened its first international school in Qatar in 2016 and has grown to now educate more than 500 students. Based on his experience of managing this from its planning stages to the present, Bob will talk about his main challenges along the way as well as RGS’s future plans in the region.
Bob Ukiah, Chief Operating Officer, RGS Guildford
2.50 – The role of skills in fulfilling country visions in the GCC
GCC nations are grappling with similar demographic, cultural and economic shifts, and are actively trying to move from oil-dependent economies to knowledge economies. Education is a key pillar of this ambition, and to that end, GCC nations have developed national “visions”, which include increased capacity and quality improvement to education provision, along with “skilling” the youth to bridge the employment and skills gap. The private sector will need to be roped in to fulfil the skill needs and visions of these countries.
In this session, a Director of a leading education strategy consultancy will discuss this gap, and how GCC youth can adequately prepare for jobs of the future.
Beatrice Cernuta, Vice President, EY-Parthenon
3.10 – Recruitment Panel Session
Led by: Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth, Former Headmaster of Repton School & Former CEO of Evolvence Knowledge Investments
Dr. Anne Raynor, Director of Education Programmes (Dubai), School of Education, University of Birmingham Dubai
Alan Williamson, CEO, Taaleem
3.40 – Refreshment Break & Networking
4.10 – Leading and Managing the Inclusion Agenda in International Schools in the Region
Dr. Anne Raynor, Director of Education Programmes (Dubai), School of Education, University of Birmingham Dubai
4.30 – Accelerating Learning for Success: A Case Study of GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys (NSB)
There is nothing quite like NSB in Dubai. It is the only fully segregated private school that offers the National Curriculum for England to mainly Emirati Boys. Getting a KHDA ‘Good’ grade in a first inspection is the aspiration for all new private schools. Join GEMS Consultant Principal and Education Adviser, Jonathan Dey, as shares his vision and practical strategies for accelerating the attainment and progress of Emirati boys for success in one of the world’s most respected curriculum models.
Jonathan Dey, Education Adviser & Consultant Principal, GEMS Education
4.50 – Armchair chat: Interview with one of the largest education providers in the Middle East
Danish Kamal Faruqui, Partner, L.E.K. Consulting
Alan Williamson, CEO, Taaleem
5.20 Day One Conference Closes
Day Two – Wednesday 16 October
Chaired by: Jonathan Hughes-D’Aeth, Former Headmaster of Repton School and Former CEO of Evolvence Knowledge Investments
8.00 – Registration, refreshments and networking
9.00 – I can’t give everything away….
We are actively involved in working with UK Independent schools whose Boards have decided to venture overseas and especially the Gulf. This means that either the Bursar or the Head is expected to be an expert overnight and knowing where to start, what advice is needed, who to go to and who to trust is or at least can be a nightmare….
Using live examples, I can identify the mind fields and what we are doing to help!
Anita Gleave, Founder & CEO, Chatsworth Schools
9.20 – Building Schools for the Future: A conundrum for schools, education agencies and the wider public
Peter Senge believes that too many school systems are still operating based on obsolete, industrial‐age thinking.
Remaining focused on standardized‐test scores is problematic, because future‐oriented businesses need people who are self‐directed learners, have strong personal values and a larger sense of responsibility, and can collaborate effectively in teams and larger networks to solve complex problems.
This presentation highlights how meeting this challenge through such strategies as systems thinking, education for sustainability, learner‐centered pedagogy, and building schools as learning communities, needs bold leadership from teachers, administrators, principals, parents, school boards, business/civic leaders, and the students themselves.
This presentation draws on multiple case studies of exemplar schools that have been designed to address changes in the educational curriculum. The analysis depicts the degree to which building design needs to support individual school approach to teaching and learning. These findings offer insight into planning schools for the future and the leadership needed to build them.
Dr. Jake Madden, Executive Principal, Al Yasat Private School, Abu Dhabi
9.40 – Building a world-class school – What we can learn from the theory of marginal gains?
David will be speaking about how to build a world-class mentality in schools. This begins with a world-class mindset and appreciating the theory of marginal gains in every aspect of a school’s life.
He will draw on his experiences of building an award-winning organisation, as well as his background from big corporate. He will inspire the audience to consider their plans to innovate from within their schools and to build a world-class school.
In more detail, David will introduce the audience to the concept of marginal gains and show fascinating successful examples from across the world of business and sports, where the marginal gains concept is at the forefront of their mindset.
He will talk about the theory of compound interest and how, in successful or in failing schools respectively, they are either building an environment of compound success or indeed of compound failure. It is never one reason why a school becomes world-class, but often thousands, all adding up and having a profound impact.
In essence, every school in the world can aspire to be world-class with the right mindset in place and appreciating the theory of marginal gains.
David Harkin, Founder, 7billionideas
10.00 – Education system reform – lessons from the UK
It’s nearly a decade since the UK government embarked on the most comprehensive changes to the education system in a generation. This massive wave of reform has changed what is taught, the standard of attainment expected of students, and how school performance is measured.
While the reforms have been welcomed by some, they have also attracted criticism and controversy.
Now that the major changes have been implemented, what has the impact been, and what does this tell us about the journey from policy intention to education outcome?
Sadie Visick, Managing Director, OxfordAQA
10.20 – Refreshment Break & Networking
10.50 – Future skills, the importance of financial literacy in preparing for life and bridging the gap between academia and the world of work
Education and work in the MENA region will determine the livelihoods of over 300 million people and drive growth and development for generations.
As one of the youngest populations in the world, the region must make adequate investments in education and learning that hold value in the labour market and prepare people for the world of tomorrow.
As the global transformation of work unfolds in the region and globally we must be prepared to proactively manage this period of transition.
Gemma Wild, Sector Head, Education, CMB MENAT, HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd
Dominique Ghazar, Manager Corporate Sustainability, HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd
11.20 – Parents’ expectations when choosing an international school
Searching for and selecting a school for their children is consistently reported among the top challenges for expatriate parents when they move to a new country. Their objective is not just a good school, but a great school, where their children are catered for, beyond achieving high scores in standardised tests. My research has identified 4 areas of concern.
Senida Kiehl, Founder & CEO, Excellence in Expat Education Awards
11.40 – Innovations in Advanced Placement: A Look Ahead to 2019-20
On August 1, The College Board made available a robust set of new classroom resources for AP teachers and students, and coordinators and administrators will use a new online exam ordering and registration system.
The session will also cover AP Capstone and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), two interdisciplinary, skills-based courses designed to prepare curious, collaborative, and globally competent students to engage in entrepreneurial student projects.
Join us for a review of these program innovations and to learn how you can prepare your school and students for the future of AP.
Paul Sanders, Executive Director, Market Management West, International Division, College Board
12.00 – Developing teachers and Middle Leaders in the UAE context through CPD, mentoring and coaching
Dr. Anne Raynor, Director of Education Programmes (Dubai), School of Education, University of Birmingham Dubai
12.20-1.10 Design & Build
The importance of the design of your school
12.20 Designing International Schools – Flexibility, Adaptability and Sustainability
Ian Bogle, Founder, Bogle Architects
12.30 How environmental data can support learning outcomes
Andrew Short, Sales Director – International Schools, Furnware
12.40 Design Your School Environment Panel Session
Led by: Sam Truman, Chief Projects Officer, Taaleem
Ronan O’Murchu, Senior International Sales Manager, Findel Education
Ian Bogle, Founder, Bogle Architects
Andrew Short, Sales Director – International Schools, Furnware
Charlotte Borghesi, Owner & General Manager, Kidz Inc
1.10-2.10 Lunch and Exhibition Visits
2.10-3.00 – Higher Education Session
2.10 – Case history on how we work with partners schools and councillors
Shanthi Rajan, Director – Institution Development, University of Stirling (RAK)
2.30 – Higher Education Panel Session
Led by: Ajay Shukla, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder, HigherEducation.AE
Chinmay Jhaveri, Principal, L.E.K. Consulting
Shanthi Rajan, Director – Institution Development, University of Stirling (RAK)
Dr. Anne Raynor, Director of Education Programmes (Dubai), School of Education, University of Birmingham Dubai
Raj Nambiar, Campus Director, University of Bolton (RAK)
Ian Bogle, Founder, Bogle Architects
3.00 – Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors, Leading Schools into an Uncertain Future
Many schools claim to be preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist – something which is, in fact, impossible. This presentation will explore how school leaders can equip their organisations and stakeholders to manage – and even find opportunities – in uncertainty.
We will explore leadership for organizational agility, the role of ambidexterity in innovation in highly-regulated contexts, and the ways in which data and digitization can help leaders sense and adapt in real-time.
Christine Nasserghodsi, Co-Founder, Mirai
3.20 – The Importance of introducing a Wellbeing Department in a school
Health and Wellbeing is an essential component for an effective learning and the wellbeing of the staff and children in schools. Schools that introduce and incorporate such an activity ensures education is coupled with a healthy and productive environment that is critical for the achievement of the children. The potential of having a wellbeing department and the value it adds to the school and the various stakeholders involved will be shared during the session.
Balqees Al Hassni, Vice President of Knowledge Oman & the Head of Wellbeing of Al Sahwa Schools
3.40 – Chair’s closing remarks
Day Three: School and University visits on Thursday 17 October
Our popular Visit programme: After the two day conference and exhibition on the 15th and 16th October, we have a day of visits on the 17th October to the following university and schools all in Ras Al Khaimah: RAK Academy, University of Stirling, St. Mary’s High School and then to Delhi Private School site