Leading figures from Africa and around the world to convene in Abu Dhabi to tackle global education crisis at World Schools Summit
Leading figures and delegates from Ghana and around the world will convene at Yasmina British Academy, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 15-16 for the World Schools Summit – hosted by T4 Education, Aldar Education and the Emirates Foundation and supported by CIFF – to tackle the greatest challenges in global education. The landmark event is also backed by Microsoft, Google, Carter Fleet, Inicio Partners, Best School to Work, the Education Leaders Forum, HP, International Baccalaureate Organization, Prometric, Edmentum and Magrudy's.
The World Schools Summit will bring together over 1,000 leaders of the world’s best schools alongside policymakers, NGOs, tech companies and the biggest figures in global education to harness education to build leadership for a better world.
Speakers include:
- Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist, Learning and Sustainability, Google
- Angeline Murimirwa, CEO of CAMFED and one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025
- Theron Feemster, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer
- Angela Meikle, Global Head of IB World Schools, International Baccalaureate Organization
- Amit Patel, Managing Director of Owl Ventures
- Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution
- Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment
- HE Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Foundation
- Sahar Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Education
- Andria Zafirakou MBE, Global Teacher Prize Winner
- Mayank Dhingra, Director & Global Head of Education Business and Strategy at HP
- Patrick O’Steen, Director of K12 Partnerships & Community at Microsoft Elevate
- Education ministers from around the world
The culmination of the World Schools Summit will see the winning announcement of the Global EdTech Prize in partnership with Owl Ventures and Digital Promise – a new award for start-ups, non-profits and major companies recognising trailblazing tech solutions that are driving change and grappling with the most crucial challenges in today’s classrooms. The winners will be chosen by educators in a live pitch and vote at the World Schools Summit.
Eunice Ogolo - Director, Girl Capital – Africa, at CIFF (Children's Investment Fund Foundation), said:
To transform the lives of children and adolescents in Ghana and across Africa, we need bold ideas that will enable children not simply to survive, but to thrive in a rapidly changing world. That’s why we focus on systemic change, funding programmes that solve problems many might consider intractable. And that’s why we’re partnering on the World Schools Summit - bringing together leaders from Africa and across the planet to tackle some of the greatest challenges in education and, in turn, make a difference to the lives of children worldwide.”
Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World Schools Summit, said:
“A quarter of the way into the 21st century, the world stands at a crossroads. We must take urgent action to halt runaway climate change, adapt as AI revolutionises our economies, promote peace in the face of destructive conflicts, and tackle the most enduring inequalities.
“A better world is possible, but only if leaders from across the planet, from governments to businesses, NGOs, academia and tech, recognise that at the heart of all these crucial questions lies education. I am proud to be bringing these leaders together at the World Schools Summit, and I invite participants from Ghana and around the world to join us.”
Caroline Mutepfa, Director of Microsoft Elevate, said:
“At the World Schools Summit, I look forward to sharing Microsoft’s vision for empowering educators and students through AI-driven tools, personalised learning, and skill-based pathways that build confidence and career readiness. This is also an opportunity to learn from global education leaders and explore how we can responsibly and ethically bring AI into classrooms. As AI transforms how people work, learn, and lead, closing skills gaps at scale is critical. Microsoft believes AI can help educators refocus on what matters most – the learner.”
Comments