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SPARK.DUBAI Agenda
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF A MILLION SCHOOLS
During SPARK.DUBAI, we will explore how schools can inspire, deliver and multiply positive social change at scale. We will embark on an exciting journey filled with insightful discussions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Our carefully curated agenda is designed to inspire innovation and collaboration, providing you the tools and knowledge to transform your ideas into reality.
Get ready to connect, learn, and SPARK new possibilities!
The morning sessions will begin at Monday 2nd February, 9:30am at the School of Research and Innovation.
In the afternoon, please choose a session you wish to attend - click the relevant session button to view. Please note that afternoon track sessions will take place across three different schools.
Morning
Time | Session | Speakers | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
8.30am | Registration & Coffee | School of Research & Innovation | |
9.30am | Welcome Remarks | James Monaghan, Principal, School of Research & Innovation | School of Research & Innovation |
9.35am | Keynote: Unlocking the Power of Schools Worldwide | Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General | School of Research & Innovation |
9.45am | Panel Discussion: How can schools spark innovation, at the grassroots of education? | Aashti Zaidi Hai, Founder And CEO, Global Schools Forum; Baz Nijjar, Principal Advisor, Education Technology, GEMS Education; Deborah Quazzo, Co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit and the Managing Partner of GSV Ventures; Ranjit Disale, Global Teacher Prize Winner 2020 | School of Research & Innovation |
10.15am | Panel Discussion: How can schools spark creativity, in the age of AI? | Carlos Acosta, Ballet Director; Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, Founder, Advisor and Trustee, Emirates Literature Foundation; Matteo Bocelli, Singer; Nile Rodgers, We Are Family Foundation | School of Research & Innovation |
10.45am | Showcase: How can schools unlock the power of AI? | Baz Nijjar, Principal Advisor, Education Technology, GEMS Education | School of Research & Innovation |
11.15am | Departures | School of Research & Innovation |
Creativity
Time | Session | Speakers | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
12:30 | Registration | Wellington International School | |
13:15 | Welcome Remarks | Andrew Jenkins, Principal/CEO | Wellington International School |
13:20 | Keynote: How can schools unlock the power of creativity? | Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner, Co-founder of the ASU/GSV Summit | Wellington International School |
13:30 | Workshop A1: Building a culture of creativity and innovation | Jimmy Rotheram, Adeola Olufunke Akinsulure, Rouble Nagi, Global Teacher Prize Finalists | Wellington International School |
13:30 | Workshop A2: Building a culture of creativity and innovation | Dame Christine Ryan, former Chair, OFSTED; Nuno Crato, President of Iniciativa Educaçã; Mayank Dhinga, Global Education Business Leader, HP | Wellington International School |
13:30 | Workshop B: Preparing students for creative jobs | Mark Reid, Mike Wamaya, Ewa Drobek, Global Teacher Prize finalists | Wellington International School |
15:00 | Workshop Feedback & Group Discussion | Wellington International School | |
15:25 | Closing Remarks | Borhene Chakroun, Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems Division, UNESCO | Wellington International School |
15:40 | Departures | Wellington International School |
Inclusivity
Time | Session | Speakers | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
12:30 | Registration | GEMS World Academy | |
13:15 | Opening Remarks | Heath Monk, CEO/Principal, GEMS World Academy | GEMS World Academy |
13:25 | Keynote: How can schools build inclusivity? | Siobhan Scanlan, Head of Inclusion at GEMS Metropole School Al Waha | GEMS World Academy |
13:30 | Workshop: Making classrooms more inclusive | Colleen O'Rourke, Alfonso Filippone, Ana Hernández Revuelta, Timothy Stiven, Global Teacher Finalists | GEMS World Academy |
14:30 | Inclusion Skills Lab | GEMS World Academy | |
15:25 | Closing Remarks | Aashti Zaidi Hai, Founder, Global Schools Forum | GEMS World Academy |
15:35 | Departures | GEMS World Academy |
Wellbeing
Time | Session | Speakers | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
12:30 | Registration | Dubai American Academy | |
13:15 | Welcome Remarks | Helen Pereira-Raso, CEO, GEMS Dubai American Academy | Dubai American Academy |
13:20 | Keynote: How can schools build lifelong health? | Dr. Funke Baffour-Awuah, Corporate Head of Wellbeing at GEMS Education | Dubai American Academy |
13:30 | Workshop A: Building lifelong health at schools | David Holland, Joshue Castellanos Paternina, Jasmyn Nicole Wright, Ron Alvarez, Global Teacher Prize finalists | Dubai American Academy |
13:30 | Workshop B: Building better mental health online through schools | Joann Porterfield, Rosalia Arteaga, Former President and Vice-President of Ecuador, Kenisha Arora, Founder, The Hope Sisters and Jo Min Heekyung, Executive Vice President, CJ CheilJedang | Dubai American Academy |
13:30 | Workshop C: Building Resilience in Students | Justin Reynolds, Nigel Holt | Dubai American Academy |
15:00 | Workshop Feedback and Group Discussion | Dubai American Academy | |
15:25 | Closing remarks | Patricia Ajamian-Safi, Head, Multilateral Partnerships, UNESCO | Dubai American Academy |
15:35 | Departures | Dubai American Academy |
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