SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
MS. ZEN KHAN
Founder, CSC Middle East
Zen is an inspirational entrepreneur, International speaker and safeguarding expert who has worked in education for over 10 years. Her diverse background, enthusiasm and passion is the driving force that empowers those she works with, helping them to achieve lasting outcomes. Zen has designed and delivered online qualifications (including safeguarding) for multiple disciplines in large and small organisations both in the UK (Government) and Internationally.
MS. RUTH BURKE
Principal & CEO, Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai
Ruth joined the Swiss School in August 2021, is a passionate and inspiring educator, with a career spanning more than three decades – teaching in Ireland, the UK and the UAE. During her career, Ruth has driven her schools to receive Outstanding ratings from the KHDA, and has a deep understanding of the International Baccalaureate education programme, which aims to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal and social skills ready for a globalised world.
MS. EMILY SMITH
Head of Infant School, GEMS Metropole School
Emily is the Head of Infant School for FS1-Y2 and has been within the GEMS family since 2015 and worked for GEMS Metropole since 2016. She completed her PGCE at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Even before training to be a teacher, she knew she had a passion for working with children through holiday camps while spending time at Camp America. Emily started out her teaching career working in Bristol in a variety of diverse schools. It was there that her love of the Early Years developed.
MR. BAZ NIJJAR
Principal Advisor - Education Technology, GEMS Education
Baz is currently Principal Advisor – Education Technology for GEMS Education. Baz is recognised for his innovative approach to creating links between educational and industry needs, and has successfully embedded pioneering whole-school solutions. Baz successfully launched the first GEMS Centre of Excellence at Fist Point School (FPS) and ground-breaking partnerships with global top 100 organisations under the KHDA Rahhal 10X programme, making it the lead school in this region for industry links integrated within education.
MRS. FATMA ANWAHI
Child Protection Specialist at the Community Development Authority
Fatma Anwahi, certified Assistant Psychologist with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an experience working in the social sector for 5 years. As I have experience working with people of determination and Child Protection. My interest is in Relationships, Relationship issues and parental character in raising children. My inspiration stems from Carl Rogers, Founder of the Humanistic Approach and his quote “the more I can keep a relationship free of judgment and evaluation, the more this will permit the other person to reach the point where he recognizes that the locus of evaluation, the center of responsibility, lies within himself.
MS. ARWA NACCHO
Chief Executive Officer of Green Grass Nurseries
Arwa is the Chief executive officer of Green Grass Nurseries; she has been working at GGN for 12 years. She completed her French literature from Damascus University and has a Cache 3Diploam of teaching and a Cache five diploma in leadership and management. Arwa is in the process of completing her Master of business administration from Hult University this year. She believes that language acquisition is one of the more remarkable achievements of early childhood. In 2022, I was delighted to introduce the first fully bilingual programme from the early years with a great emphasis on the Arabic language.
MS. ESRA UZSAYILIR
Co-Founder and Educational Psychologist, Connect Psychology
Esra is the Co-founder of Connect Psychology, a multi-disciplinary clinic offering therapy, assessment, supervision and training . An experienced, UK trained Educational Psychologist with a demonstrated history of working in international educational leadership, safeguarding and consultancy, Esra is skilled in Psychological Assessment, therapy (EMDR, CBT, Solution Focused) and training. Esra provides a holistic service, supporting and advising individuals, families and schools.
MS. LAURA EVEREST
Director and Founder, Laura Everest Consulting
Laura is a Master of Resilience and a certified Gallup Clifton Strengths Coach in Dubai, specialising in Leadership; Professional Development and Workplace Wellbeing. She is also an International Best-Selling Author and Speaker. With more than 30 years of extensive experience, Laura has a strong track record for elevating leadership talent in diverse corporate entities and market sectors across the globe, implementing proven strategies to accelerate performance, increasing organisational productivity and bottom line success.
MRS. SYLVIA MUSALAGANI
Safety Policy Manager, Africa Middle East and Turkey, META
As the Safety Policy Lead for Africa, Middle East and Turkey (AMET), Sylvia manages safety policy development and strategic policy engagements and programmes across 78 countries in the AMET region. Her role is focused on building relationships with key policy stakeholders and collaborating on regulatory and policy initiatives that advance the safety of online communities in Africa, Middle East and Turkey. She has developed leading digital literacy and online safety programmes and products aimed at reducing the barriers to online participation for citizens in the AMET region.PANELISTS
MR. NAV IQBAL
Principal and CEO, GEMS Metropole School
Nav Iqbal is a leader who takes a vision and makes it reality, through a collaborative approach which places the wellbeing of every young person at the heart of any decisions made in school. He intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through the school, he will bring them together into a coherent whole, he helps other extend their thinking, and drives educational excellence. He is an inspirational leader who tells stories that inspire action while at the same time is grounded in strong school leadership knowledge that levers the school.
MS. LISA THORPE
Principal of Secondary/Head of School Improvement at Next Generation School
Having lived in Dubai for 9 years, Lisa has had a number of Senior Leadership roles from Head of Teaching and Learning across 11 schools, to Principal of The Children’s Garden group, Acting Head of Secondary and Head of K- 8 at Al Mizhar American Academy. Lisa’s passion is first and foremost being an educator. She believes that her roll in life was to make a difference to the life of children through education and developing strong relationships so students can grow in their confidence and ability.