The 8th China Festival of Education: Fostering Global Conversations on Education

The 8th China Festival of Education, hosted by Wellington College China, brought together over 70 speakers and more than 800 attendees from around the world to discuss the future of education and its adaptation to rapid societal change. The event, held on Saturday 12 April at Wellington College International Shanghai, featured a diverse range of thought leaders and experts in academia, mental health, technology, finance, and business.

The Importance of Parental Involvement

A strong partnership with parents is essential to any successful school. The festival debuted its first-ever parent panel discussions, providing a platform for parents to share their perspectives on equipping their children for an increasingly complex future. The panel featured representatives from around the Wellington College China group, including academics, finance experts, and leaders in biotech, AI, and robotics.

• Many parents have a unique perspective on how to prepare children for the technological changes they will face in the future.
• These discussions highlighted the importance of parental involvement in shaping the education system and preparing children for the challenges of the 21st century.

The Transformative Power of AI in Education

AI and its implications for education were a key theme of the day. Yong Zhao, Professor at the University of Kansas and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of leveraging AI’s capabilities while developing uniquely human skills. Dr Max Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of DexRobot, led a discussion on raising children in an AI+Robot world and the skills they will need to thrive.

Exploring Education from Every Angle

Beyond AI, the festival featured a wide range of sessions that tackled pressing issues in education. Professor Zhou Jiaxian, Founder of the Research Center for Educational Neuroscience at East China Normal University, discussed the importance of parental involvement in education. Joanne Zhang, Mental Health Counsellor at ELG, delivered a talk on building supportive environments that promote emotional wellbeing.

“We need to recognize the importance of emotional wellbeing in education and provide students with the tools they need to manage stress and anxiety.

Alex Aristizabal, Director of Teaching and Learning at YK Pao School, explored how leadership drives innovation and continuous improvement in education. Tom Sherrington, Education Consultant and co-author of the book Teaching Walkthrus, shared best practices and practical techniques in creating effective coaching programs.

The Art and Science of Teaching & Educating for Wisdom and Versatility

Wellington College China teachers shared innovative teaching approaches that fostered wisdom and versatility. Dr Tania Blatti, Head of Upper Primary at Wellington College International Shanghai, focused on creating impactful and enduring learning experiences. Rob Spillane and Jingwen Chen, Assistant Heads of Hiba Academy Shanghai (Nursery), led a discussion on developing oracy to create bilingual language-rich classrooms. In conclusion, the 8th China Festival of Education was a significant event that brought together thought leaders and experts from around the world to discuss the future of education. The festival provided a platform for global conversations on education, fostering a community of educators who are committed to shaping the education system and preparing children for the challenges of the 21st century.