SHANGHAI, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 8th China Festival of Education, a prestigious event organized by Wellington College China, attracted a remarkable assembly of over 70 influential speakers and more than 800 attendees from various corners of the globe. This exceptional gathering took place on Saturday, April 12, at the Wellington College International Shanghai, focusing on the evolving landscape of education amidst rapid societal transformations. Participants engaged in a day filled with enlightening workshops and inspiring discussions designed to explore education through diverse perspectives including technology, family-school cooperation, environmental sustainability, emotional wellbeing, and much more.

Change is the only constant, asserted Julian Jeffrey, the Chief Executive Master of Wellington College China. He emphasized that with each passing day, the pace of change intensifies, and it becomes imperative for education systems to remain adaptable. By staying vigilant, informed, and flexible, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these changes. Events like the Festival of Education are essential because they inspire innovative thinking and equip us with the necessary tools to adapt and grow, ensuring that our educational practices align with the ever-evolving needs of our students.

A Platform for Parents' Voices

Recognizing the crucial role parents play in education, the festival introduced its inaugural parent panel discussions. Many of the parents involved are distinguished leaders in fields such as academia, finance, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This unique collaboration provided valuable insights on how to prepare children for an increasingly complex future. The day featured several panels where parent representatives shared their perspectives on essential issues regarding education and the technological revolutions that await the next generation.

The Transformative Power of AI in Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a central theme throughout the festival. Yong Zhao, a renowned professor at the University of Kansas and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, delivered a compelling keynote address that underscored the importance of harnessing AIs capabilities while simultaneously fostering the uniquely human skills that are challenging for machines to replicate. In a thought-provoking discussion titled Raising our Children in an AI+Robot World: Should They Be Workers, Players, or Shapers?, Dr. Max Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of DexRobot and a proud parent at Hiba Academy Nantong, delved into how AI is transforming the future job landscape and the skills that children will need to succeed.

Ryan Lu, the Director of IT at Wellington College China, presented an institutional viewpoint in his session WCC AI Space: The Evolution of AI at Wellington College China. He showcased how AI technology is being integrated to enhance both the infrastructure and curriculum across all institutions within the Wellington College China network. Alex Johnson, Chief Product Officer at UnconstrainED, shared insights on personalizing learning and increasing teaching efficiency in his session, Using AI to Transform Your Teaching. Additionally, Gregor Markovic, Director of Educational Technology at Wellington College Tianjin, explored Going Beyond General AI Tools for Education, offering innovative strategies to leverage advanced AI technologies in classroom practices.

Attendees departed with numerous practical strategies for incorporating AI into their daily routines while preserving critical soft skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking.

Exploring Education From Every Angle

In addition to AI discussions, the festival featured a variety of sessions addressing pressing educational issues. Professor Zhou Jiaxian, the founder of the Research Center for Educational Neuroscience at East China Normal University, delivered a talk titled Evidence-Based Family-School Cooperation from Educational Neuroscience Research, emphasizing the vital role parents play in their childrens educational journey. Joanne Zhang, a Mental Health Counsellor at ELG, provided a presentation entitled Compassionate Conversations: Talking to Parents About Seeking Support for Their Child, which offered practical methods for creating supportive environments that nurture emotional wellbeing.

Alex Aristizabal, Director of Teaching and Learning at YK Pao School, discussed how effective leadership fosters innovation and continuous improvement in education with High-Impact Professional Development: A Collaborative Approach. Furthermore, Tom Sherrington, an education consultant and co-author of the book Teaching Walkthrus, shared best practices in The Elements of an Effective Coaching Programme. Dr. Helen Wright, an international education advisor, led a session titled The Globally Competent School: Why, What, and How?, examining how educational institutions can equip students with the necessary skills and mindset to thrive in our interconnected world.

Dan McCloy, Head of Curriculum at Green School Bali, conducted a compelling discussion on Experiential Learning Through Regenerative Design, illustrating how schools can integrate sustainability into their curricula. This seamlessly aligned with a presentation by Abby MacPhail, an IB Geography and History Teacher at the United Nations International School, on Creating Curriculum on the Front Lines of Climate Change, which offered practical strategies for fostering environmental stewardship in students.

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

Several educators from Wellington College China contributed their insights on innovative teaching methodologies. Dr. Tania Blatti, Head of Upper Primary at Wellington College International Shanghai, focused on designing impactful and long-lasting learning experiences in her session Making Learning Last. Furthermore, Rob Spillane and Jingwen Chen, Assistant Heads of Hiba Academy Shanghai (Nursery), led discussions on techniques for Developing Oracy to Create Bilingual Language Rich Classrooms.

Between the enriching workshops and panel discussions, participants had the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, fostering a spirit of collaboration. The event also featured captivating dance and music performances by talented students of Wellington College International Shanghai, alongside entertainment provided by a troupe of state-of-the-art robots, adding an exciting element to the proceedings.

Jeremy Birk, Director of EdFest, expressed enthusiasm for the future, stating, We look forward to expanding the reach and impact of The Bridge and Festival of Education through a rich, year-round workshop series featuring global thought leaders across a range of inspiring and future-focused topics.

The 8th China EdFest was deemed a resounding success, showcasing the power of collaboration and the transformative potential of education. This event marks just the beginning of an ongoing journey. EdFest is part of a global mission to establish a connected community of lifelong learners, thinkers, and innovators. In the upcoming year, educational institutions within the Wellington College Education group will be hosting EdFests around the worldfrom China to the UK, the US, and Thailand. By bringing together all stakeholders in educationincluding teachers, parents, business leaders, and morewe aim to discover new ways to equip the next generation with the essential skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

SOURCE Wellington College China