“Future-Ready Schools in the Age of Industry 5.0: Innovators, Adapters, or Left Behind?”

In a world that is rapidly shifting toward human-machine collaboration, sustainable innovation, and values-driven enterprise, this panel seeks to explore how schools can evolve from traditional models to become early adopters of Industry 5.0 thinking—balancing innovation with human-centered values.

The panel will explore what it truly means for a school to be future-ready in an era where technology and humanity must evolve together. Bringing together voices from universities, alumni, and school leadership, the discussion will delve into how meaningful collaboration between schools, higher education, and industry can prepare learners for a rapidly changing world. The conversation will also focus on the essential skills, mindsets, and values that will shape success in a human–tech integrated future—where adaptability, empathy, creativity, and lifelong learning become the new cornerstones of education.

“Global Curriculum, Local Soul: Nurturing Cultural Identity in International Schools”

How schools offering international curricula can celebrate global learning while preserving their unique cultural heritage.

This session brings together school founders and principals from leading international schools to share their experiences and practical strategies for building learning environments that are both globally aligned and culturally rooted.

The discussion will focus on how schools can thoughtfully integrate local culture, language, and traditions within international frameworks, ensuring that global competencies and cultural identity coexist meaningfully. By exploring real stories and approaches from diverse school contexts, the panel aims to inspire ways to nurture students who are confident global citizens and proud ambassadors of their culture.

Ms. Heeru Bhojwani

Meet the Trainer

Heeru Bhojwani is now an accomplished School Library Consultant and Co-Founder of the Liferarian Association, with over 25 years of experience at the American School of Bombay, now transforming school libraries across international, national, and IB settings. Her work focuses on empowering schools to reimagine libraries as living ecosystems—where literacy, inquiry, and innovation converge. Heeru partners with educators to integrate metacognition and student agency into everyday learning, providing agency, voice, and choice in children’s literature, as showcased in her contributions to the National Jarul Book Award and Read Bloom Books.

More information on her website

Linkedin: Heeru Bhojwani

Session Objective:

Participants will be able to:

1. Recognize how agency, voice, and choice shape meaningful literacy experiences.
2. Design learning engagements that foster ownership, reflection, and purpose.
3. Librarian and Technology as a participatory and collaborative learning space.
4. Implement practical strategies that link reading, inquiry, and student empowerment

Ms. Tannu Jain

Meet the Trainer

I’m Tannu Jain, a Concept-Based Trainer and experienced IB PYP educator passionate about making complex frameworks practical and teacher-friendly. With over 12 years of experience, I help schools build sustainable cultures of deep, lifelong learning. As an Independent Erickson & Lanning Concept-Based Trainer and Trainer at TIPS Learning and Research Institute (TLRI), I design and lead professional development that helps educators move from content coverage to conceptual transfer. A Certified Digital Instructional Designer, I integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning. I also lead the course “Reimagine Curriculum through a Concept-Based Approach,” guiding educators toward authentic, inquiry-driven classrooms.

Session Objectives:

To distinguish between different  types of  case-studies and their purpose.

To explore what makes a case study authentic, relevant, and conceptually aligned to the Learning goals

To Investigate how to select or evaluate case studies that stimulate inquiry and deepen student engagement

Ms. Mythily Iyengar

Meet the Trainer

Mythily Iyengar is a passionate and dedicated Teacher Librarian, with years of experience nurturing young minds in the Early and Primary Years, and now stepping into the exciting world of Middle School. Her journey as an educator has been one of continuous learning, evolving with the needs of my students and the ever-changing world of libraries.

As a core member of the Liferarian Association, she strongly believes in the power of collaboration, sharing resources, and lifting each other up. Gratitude and giving credit where it’s due are values she holds close to her heart.

Beyond books, dance, media, and technology fuel her creativity. Social media she sees it as a powerful medium to connect, celebrate learning, and amplify the magic that happens in a library.

Session Objective:

• To explore how digital literacy can be integrated meaningfully in primary years through engaging stories, guided research, and hands-on exploration.
• To Share practical strategies for introducing information literacy, evaluating online sources, and nurturing responsible, curious digital citizens right from the early years — all through the joyful lens of library learning.

Ms. Shalini Nair

Meet the Trainer

Mrs. Shalini Nair is the Founder Principal of Kikani Global Academy, a visionary educator, inclusion champion, and leadership mentor with over 17 years of transformative experience. She built KGA from inception to over 600 students, achieving CBSE Senior Secondary affiliation within two years. A strong advocate for inclusive and sustainable education, she led landmark initiatives such as the District Collector’s Tribal School Project in Pathanamthitta and five international SDG collaborations on environmental conservation and special education. As the Indian Ambassador for the My Body is My Body Programme (UK), she advances child safety education and teacher training nationwide. Recipient of multiple honours, including the Swami Vivekananda National Award, Mrs. Nair exemplifies empathetic, innovative, and globally connected educational leadership.

Session Objective:

Design with Empathy: Learn to see your classroom through the learner’s eyes and create lessons that truly connect.

1. Think Creatively, Teach Innovatively: Apply design thinking tools to make every lesson engaging, relevant, and dynamic.

2. Transform Challenges into Opportunities: Turn everyday classroom problems into creative solutions and breakthrough ideas.

Mr. Abraham Enoch

Meet the Trainer

Mr. Abraham Enoch, M.Sc., M.Ed., M.Phil., PGDCA, is an accomplished educationist with over 25 years of experience in teaching, administration, and training, including 15 years as a principal of reputed CBSE and CISCE schools across India. A NCERT–CBSE–UNESCO–ISTM recognized Master Trainer and Resource Person, he has trained more than 6,000 teachers nationwide through capacity-building workshops. Mr. Enoch is known for fostering academic excellence, inclusive education, and leadership development through innovative pedagogical frameworks. His expertise spans curriculum design, assessment practices, competency-based education, NEP 2020 implementation, and school quality enhancement. A visionary leader and lifelong learner, Mr. Enoch continues to inspire educators to create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for success in the 21st century.

Session Objectives / Key Take aways:

Personalization and Equity.

Assessment of Process, Not just product.

Diverse and Inclusive strategies.

Foster a “Learning-Outcome” Mindset.

Mr. Atul Runthala

Meet the Trainer

Atul Runthala is an accomplished school leader with over 17 years of experience in educational administration and teacher development. As Principal of The Indian Public School, Erode he has fostered a culture of empathy, innovation, and excellence among students and staff.

His leadership emphasizes conceptual learning, student well-being, and future-ready education. A certified UNESCO, ISTM and NCERT Master trainer working with CoE Chennai, he has conducted numerous capacity-building programs for over 3000+ teachers and school’s senior leadership team.  He is known for maintaining zero absenteeism throughout his tenure—a testament to his dedication and discipline.

He believes that a strong school culture, guided by collaboration and continuous learning, is the foundation for nurturing responsible and confident global citizens.

Session Objectives:

• Attention is teachable
• Technology need not be the enemy
• A collective shift is essential between all stakeholders

Mr. Soumyabhrata Mukherjee

Meet the Trainer

Fueled by a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives, Mr. Soumyabrata Mukherjee brings over 16 years of teaching experience and more than a decade in school leadership across leading international schools in India and abroad. Currently the Principal of Empyrean School, Navi Mumbai, he has served in key roles at JBCN International School, King’s College India, and Pledge Harbor International School, Bangladesh. An advocate of student voice, choice, and agency, he believes learners thrive when trusted to lead with curiosity and purpose. A former professional cricketer, he blends teamwork and joy from sports into education, envisioning schools as inclusive, vibrant spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and inspired to become their best self.

Session Objective :

To equip instructional leaders with the mindset and skills to transform classroom observations into meaningful coaching conversations, emphasizing how the observer’s approach determines the impact of feedback on teaching and learning.

Ms. Alka Pandey

Meet the Trainer

Having a long experience of 35 plus years as an educationist, with 18 plus years of heading Cambridge International schools as Founding Principals, Alka Pandey has completed the highly comprehensive and enriching *International Study Program at Cambridge University UK* and also the *Certification in School Management and Leadership (CSML) from Harvard Business School , USA*.

Being one of the *first accredited* Cambridge  Teachers Trainer in India, and now as the *Lead Mentor Trainer and Observer* for Cambridge International, Alka Pandey has been closely involved in working with the Cambridge Assessment UK, for many of their teaching- pedagogy research projects and syllabus revision projects. She has regularly attended, participated and presented workshops in the Cambridge Schools Conferences at Cambridge, UK,, and has also been a keynote speaker at the Cambridge International schools conferences.  

In her current position of *Academic Advisor* with Cambridge International in *South Asia*, she supports the schools in India with quality implementation of the Cambridge program as per the Cambridge standards.

Session Objective:

1. Be Introduced to Cambridge’s philosophy and principles of assessment
   1. Explain how Cambridge defines the purpose of assessment within a broader vision of holistic education and learning progression.
2. Differentiate between assessment for, as, and of learning
   1. Identify how formative, summative, and feedback-oriented assessments together create a balanced system that supports learner growth.
3. Evaluate the role of validity, reliability, and fairness in good assessment design
   1. Recognize how these principles ensure that assessment outcomes are meaningful and equitable for all learners.
4. Analyse how assessment informs effective teaching and learner motivation
   1. Interpret assessment outcomes as evidence for improving teaching strategies, curriculum alignment, and student engagement.
5. Reflect on how purposeful assessment drives school improvement and learner achievement
   1. Connect assessment practices to the creation of reflective learning cultures that promote continuous growth and academic excellence.

Mr. Chander Dev

Meet the trainer

Mr. Chander Dev is the Principal of The Indian Public School (TIPS) in Erode, Tamil Nadu. With over 25 years of experience in teaching mathematics, he has significantly contributed to the fields of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge curricula. His roles as an evaluation leader with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and as a Cambridge trainer highlight his dedication to educational excellence. Mr. Dev’s passion for education is evident in his commitment to fostering an environment that encourages inquiry-based learning and holistic development. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding both students and faculty towards achieving their full potential, aligning with the school’s mission to provide world-class education.

Session Objectives

Participants will explore metacognitive strategies to foster independent learning in Cambridge classrooms, understand how to teach reflective thinking, and experience practical activities that encourage student autonomy and active self-regulation.