Building the Future of Learning
(2nd Edition) Movenpick Grand Al Bustan, Dubai, UAE
29 - 30 September 2026
Riyadh, KSA
11 - 12 November 2026
Abu Dhabi, UAE
24 November 2026
Building the Future of Learning
The future of education begins with the environments in which learning takes place. Across the GCC, governments and education providers are investing in next-generation schools that are sustainable, technology-enabled, inclusive, and designed to foster student wellbeing, educational excellence, and long-term community impact. As educational needs continue to evolve, collaboration between the education and built environment sectors has become essential to creating learning environments that are resilient, adaptable, and future-ready.
The Future Schools Summit is the GCC's premier platform dedicated to the planning, design, construction, sustainability, technology, and operation of educational infrastructure. Bringing together school leaders, government authorities, architects, consultants, developers, engineers, contractors, and technology providers, the summit drives meaningful collaboration, shares global best practices, and showcases the innovations shaping the next generation of schools and educational campuses across the region.
Photo Gallery
Sponsors & Partners
Chairman
Marwan Houry
Anthony McCarter
Speakers
Mark Huxtable
Timothy Chaplin
Talal Shehab Aldin
James Ho
Andreas V. I. Paaske
Lana AbuQulbain
Omair Awadh
Abhilasha Singh
Liudmila Cazacova
Yaser Alnuaimi
Peter Isaac Harley
Kumar Verma
Ekaterina Mukhina
Dr. Eman Ismail
Marwan Houry
Dr. Haitham Mousa
Ibrahim Kronfol
Lennert Rasking
Benjamin Somner
Ahmed Balawi
Hind El Aoufi
Anne Mathew
Nadir Najjari
Rasha Elgabalawi
Rahul Krishnan
Mohammad Gheethan
Tabish Hasan
Agenda
Keynote: Designing the Future School
Creating flexible, varied and personalized learning environments that actively encourage creative, collaborative, and innovative behaviors.
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.
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.
Networking & Coffee Break
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.
Networking and Coffee Break
Sustainable School Design: Materials and Energy Systems
Exploring innovative construction materials and renewable energy solutions for eco-friendly, cost-efficient school facilities.
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.
Closing Remarks for Day 1
Networking & Buffet
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.
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.
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.
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.
Networking & Coffee Break
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
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.
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
Networking and Coffee Break
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.
Closing of the Conference
Networking & Buffet
Who Will You Meet?
Government Authorities
Consultants
Sports Tech Companies
Colleges & Universities
Architects & Urban Planners
Real Estate & School Developers
Technology & AI Solution Providers
Private & Public School Groups
Playground Equipment Companies
Landscape Environment Specialists
Urban Infrastructure Authorities
PE & Sports Associations
Key Themes
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
Retrofitting and Energy-Efficiency
BIM for Digital School Construction
Architecture and Outdoor Learning Environments
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
Registration
Contact Us
Venue Info
Dubai - Riyadh - Abu Dhabi
Email Address
connect@worldlinkconferences.com
Contact No
+971 55 469 3963
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
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
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
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.
