Building the Future of Learning

19 - 20 May 2026

Abu Dhabi, UAE

13 - 14 October 2026

Dubai, UAE

Days
Hours
Minutes
Explore The 2026 Edition

Future Schools Summit

UAE is establishing itself as a leading global education hub, driven by strategic government vision and exceptional growth. The emirate's education sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with private schools recording a 6% enrollment increase reaching 387,441 students across 227 schools in the 2024-25 academic year. This status is further cemented by new world-class schools and prestigious international university branches, making the city a global destination for students and academics.
The Future Schools Summit 2025 convenes at this pivotal moment. This premier event brings together government leaders, real estate developers, architects, technology innovators, and school operators with a unified mission: to design, build, and equip next generation learning environments. Participants will explore cutting-edge innovations in sustainable construction, smart infrastructure, and integrated technology all essential to supporting Dubai's Education 33 (E33) strategy and its goal of establishing 100 new private schools by 2033 to meet the needs of a growing population and future-focused educational vision.

Photo Gallery

Sponsors & Partners

Strategic Partner

Lead Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Paving Stones Partner

Exhibitor

Supporting Sponsor

Exclusive Playground Partner

Supporting Partner

Media Partner

Chairman

Marwan Houry

Principal, VP Strategy & Development, Board of Directors - ae7

Anthony McCarter

Properties & Buildings Lead - GHD

Speakers

Mark Huxtable

Director - Landscape & Urban Design Lead - Polis Group

Timothy Chaplin

Architectural Lead & Education Specialist - Polis Group

Talal Shehab Aldin

Head of Projects - Warrior Group

James Ho

Head of Business Development - Kidzink

Andreas V. I. Paaske

General Manager - PlayPower Middle East

Lana AbuQulbain

Technical Engineer - Emirates Green Building Council

Omair Awadh

Associate Director, Sustainability - Buro Happold

Abhilasha Singh

Principal - Shining Star International School, Abu Dhabi

Liudmila Cazacova

Associate Professor - American University of Ras Al Khaimah

Yaser Alnuaimi

General Manager - Plenary Middle East Limited

Peter Isaac Harley

Construction Manager - Al Tayer Stocks

Kumar Verma

Managing Director - Scholars International Group

Ekaterina Mukhina

Projects & Delivery - eedama

Dr. Eman Ismail

Consultant - Takatof Association for Development

Marwan Houry

Principal, VP Strategy & Development, Board of Directors - ae7

Dr. Haitham Mousa

Studio Design Director - KEO International Consultants

Ibrahim Kronfol

Project Manager - Dar

Lennert Rasking

Bid Manager - BESIX

Benjamin Somner

Global Head of Education - Broadway Malyan

Ahmed Balawi

Design & Digital Engineering Manager - Engineering Contracting Company

Hind El Aoufi

Executive Leader, Innovation Transformation Sustainability - GHD

Anne Mathew

Associate - Sustainability Planning Lead - AECOM

Nadir Najjari

Senior Energy Efficiency Expert - Wood Plc

Rasha Elgabalawi

Senior Structural Engineer - GHD

Rahul Krishnan

FM Regional Manager - Emirates National Schools

Mohammad Gheethan

Operations & Facilities Manager - Al Karamah School

Tabish Hasan

Mechanical Design Engineer - Consistent Engineering Consultants

Agenda

09:30 -

Keynote: Designing the Future School

Creating flexible, varied and personalized learning environments that actively encourage creative, collaborative, and innovative behaviors.

09:50 -

Learning Beyond Walls: The Future of Adventure in Education

Education is shifting beyond traditional classrooms toward experiences that foster courage, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. This session explores how adventure-based learning, supported by global research and regional success stories, enhances wellbeing, engagement, and academic performance—preparing students not just for exams, but for life.

10:30 -

Panel: Building Smarter Schools: From Plan to Reality

Experts discuss overcoming key challenges in modern school construction—connecting with smart city strategies, inclusivity, budgeting, timelines, and technology integration.

12:20 -

Public-Private Partnerships in School Development: Exploring Collaborative Models for Funding and Next Generation of Schools

This presentation examines how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can bridge funding gaps and accelerate the development of innovative, future-ready schools. It highlights collaborative models that combine government support with private sector expertise to enhance educational infrastructure and outcomes.

13:30 -

Sustainable School Design: Materials and Energy Systems

Exploring innovative construction materials and renewable energy solutions for eco-friendly, cost-efficient school facilities.

13:50 -

Retrofitting for Resilience: Upgrading Existing Schools for Safety and Sustainability

Exploring the integration of modern structural reinforcements and energy-efficient systems into older school buildings to enhance both occupant safety and long-term operational sustainability, without the need for complete demolition.

09:30 -

Keynote: Sustainable and Smart: The Dual Pillars of Modern Education

Outlining the principles for creating future-ready schools that are tech-enabled, environmentally conscious, and designed for student well-being.

09:50 -

Master planning for Growth: Seven Best-Practice Initiatives

A practical framework to move from static masterplans to living, deliverable campus strategies, clarify decisions, plan for people, stage to unlock value, and design for quality and certainty from day one.

10:10 -

Reimagining Education for the Future of Work

This session explores how education can bridge with industry to nurture future-ready mindsets — combining human-centred design, sustainability, and innovation to create learning spaces that empower students to shape a more resilient, purpose-driven world.

10:30 -

Panel: Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable Materials & Methods

Industry experts explore cutting-edge sustainable construction materials, waste-reduction techniques, and eco-friendly building practices specifically for educational facilities.

12:00 -

The Sustainability Blueprint: Reimagining schools as Sustainability Powerhouses

What makes a sustainable school actually work? This session analyzes regional examples across design, construction, and operations, showcasing how these environments become living classrooms where children develop respect for nature through daily interactions and thoughtfully designed, climate-responsive architecture

12:20 -

The Legacy School: Building for Tomorrow's Learning

This session explores how to design academic institutions that are both timeless and adaptive. We'll discuss creating flexible infrastructures that can evolve with future educational models, technological advancements, and community needs, ensuring schools remain central pillars for generations.

12:40 -

Optimizing School Infrastructure: The Efficiency of Centralized Monitoring Systems

This session explores how a centralized monitoring system can transform school facility operations by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing maintenance costs, and improving overall performance visibility across campuses. It highlights real case studies from Emirates National Schools on how digital integration supports sustainability goals and smarter decision-making in educational environments

13:30 -

The Uninterrupted Campus: Delivering Major Construction Without Disrupting Learning

This session explores the critical strategies for managing large-scale renovations or new builds on active campuses, focusing on phasing, logistics, safety, and minimizing impact on the academic environment.

Who Will You Meet?

Government Authorities

Consultants

Private & Public School Groups

Colleges & Universities

Architects & Urban Planners

Real Estate & School Developers

Technology & AI Solution Providers

Sports Tech Companies

Playground Equipment Companies

Landscape Environment Specialists

PE & Sports Associations

Urban Infrastructure Authorities

Landscape & Outdoor

Learning Environment Specialists

PE & Sports Associations

Key Themes

Directors of Facilities/Operations

Heads of Physical Education/Sports

Architects & Education Planners

Curriculum Designers

Sustainable Green School Construction

Smart Sports Facility Planning & Design

Inclusive Playgrounds & Green Spaces

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Designing Collaborative Learning Spaces

Smart HVAC & Energy Management

Acoustics And Biophilic Design

Architecture and Outdoor Learning Environments

BIM for Digital School Construction

Retrofitting and Energy-Efficiency

Future-Ready School Infrastructure

BIM for Digital School Construction

Who Should Exhibit / Sponsor

Smart Construction & Architecture Firms

HVAC & Smart Building Controls

Lighting & Energy Management Systems

Interior Design, Furniture & Paints

Pumps, Pipes & Water Management

Playground, Turf & Recreational Equipment

Smart Classroom & AV Solutions

EdTech & AI-Based Learning Platforms

ICT, Cloud & Network Providers

Security & Access Control Systems

Sports Tech & Wellness Infrastructure

ICT, Cloud & Network Providers

Sponsorship Benefits

The Future Schools Summit brings together educational institutions, sports and play infrastructure developers, technology solution providers, architects, government stakeholders, and innovators to explore the transformation of schools and recreational spaces. The summit will dive deep into emerging technologies in School infrastructure, classrooms, sport infrastructure, and much more.

The summit will showcase advancements in school infrastructure, smart education, sports infra, security, sustainable school buildings, and more.

Lighting Innovation Summit

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

21st May 2025

Abu Dhabi, UAE

10th September 2025

Explore the Possibilities – Download the Brochure

Please fill in the below form or send us an email at connect@worldlinkconferences.com

Registration

Speaker Form for all 3

Please fill in the below form or send us an email at connect@worldlinkconferences.com

Contact Us

Write a Message to Experts

For further information, please contact us at Connect@worldlinkconferences.com – our team is ready to assist you with any inquiries.

Contact Form

Venue Info

Millennium Airport Hotel, Dubai, UAE

Email Address

Contact No

What Our Attendees Have to Say

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur the more as adipiscing elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna fringilla urna at porttitor of the most rhoncus.

Neel Eonathon

Computer Member

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur the more as adipiscing elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna fringilla urna at porttitor of the most rhoncus.

Donald Simpsom

Corporate Director

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur the more as adipiscing elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna fringilla urna at porttitor of the most rhoncus.

Leslie Alexander

CEO Of Ac Tex

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur the more as adipiscing elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna fringilla urna at porttitor of the most rhoncus.

Victoria Vargas

Content Developer