Building the Future of Learning

Abu Dhabi, UAE

12 - 13 May 2026

Riyadh, KSA

28 - 29 September 2026

(2nd Edition) Dubai, UAE

13 - 14 October 2026

Days
Hours
Minutes

Future Schools Summit

UAE is establishing itself as a leading global education hub, driven by strategicgovernment vision and exceptional growth. The emirate's education sector is undergoingrapid transformation, with private schools recording a 6% enrollment increase reaching387,441 students across 227 schools in the 2024-25 academic year. This status is furthercemented 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 eventbrings together government leaders, real estate developers, architects, technologyinnovators, and school operators with a unified mission: to design, build, and equip nextgeneration learning environments. Participants will explore cutting-edge innovations insustainable construction, smart infrastructure, and integrated technology all essential tosupporting Dubai's Education 33 (E33) strategy and its goal of establishing 100 newprivate schools by 2033 to meet the needs of a growing population and future-focusededucational vision.

Event Highlights

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

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                                                              Registration

                                                              Registration Form for all 3 Main

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                                                              Venue Info

                                                              Millennium Airport Hotel, Dubai, UAE

                                                              Email Address

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                                                              Neel Eonathon

                                                              Computer Member

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                                                              Corporate Director

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                                                              Leslie Alexander

                                                              CEO Of Ac Tex

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                                                              Content Developer