23 Apr 2025
PHOTO: Students shared their views on how schools and Cambridge can empower them for the future
In this era of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancements, empowering learners to thrive is a challenge that unites educators – as evidenced by our fifth East Asia Schools Conference which brought together more school leaders and teachers than ever to explore ways to help learners be future-ready.
Around 400 educators from Cambridge schools in China, Japan and Mongolia attended the conference on 12 to 13 April in Suzhou, China. Keynote speakers included Professor Barbara Oakley, Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Oakland University who drew on concepts from neuroscience to address learning in the age of AI; and Professor Xiaowei Yang, Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University who discussed the important role of school principals in building cultural leadership and the strategies to achieve it.
Delegates heard how Cambridge is working to support schools, with Claire Varlet-Baker, Director, Products & Services giving an update on how Cambridge is leveraging technology to develop digital assessments and provide better support for teachers, and Ian Harris, Director of Brand, Communications & Advocacy, discussing the valuable role of the Cambridge schools community in our research and development.
The East Asia Schools Conference is designed to encourage knowledge sharing, with schools playing a key role in the event. Five principals described their innovative school programmes in an ‘inspiring leaders’ session, and nearly 50 teachers and leaders shared their expertise in breakout sessions on topics such as student and teacher wellbeing, AI-supported education and fostering global citizenship.
Students also shared their experiences and insights during a panel discussion on how education can empower them for the future.
Jing Zhao, Regional Director, East Asia for International Education at Cambridge said: “The true strength of the Cambridge school community lies in its collective wisdom. The conference’s success is a testament to the dedication of teachers and leaders within the East Asia school community. The innovative ideas from the school-led sessions greatly enriched the overall conference experience.”
