04 Nov 2025
We recently hosted a series of School Leader Conferences across the Gulf region, welcoming over 350 delegates from schools in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Each event was tailored to specific local needs, offering school leaders a platform to explore the latest developments from Cambridge and strategies to ensure learners are future-ready in a changing world.
The conferences featured a strong lineup of expert speakers, including Dr. Rupert Wegerif, Dr. Bryan Maddox and Dr. Fawaz Abu Sitta from – the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge – who addressed the evolving role of AI in education and the importance of a dialogical approach to teaching and learning. In Qatar and Oman, Dr. Sara Baker, Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Cambridge, led sessions on executive functions and their impact on lifelong learning, sparking valuable discussions among educators.
Cambridge country managers also shared updates on curriculum developments, teaching and learning support, and professional development opportunities, ensuring each session delivered practical insights for school leaders.
Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the conferences for their relevance, engaging content, and opportunities for collaboration. The conferences reaffirm our commitment to supporting educational excellence and innovation across the Gulf, and we look forward to continuing the conversation with schools.