(Hong Kong, 20 December 2024) – The final event of the inaugural Future-Focused School Leadership Summit (FFSLS), hosted by the School Leadership Academy (SLA) and supported by CTF Education Group (CTFEG), took place at the InnoCentre in Hong Kong on 30 November 2024. The event was attended by over 100 visionary leaders from industry and academia, and STEAM coordinators and teachers from primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong and other areas of GBA.
Following the first and second events of the Summit, which respectively focused on “Inspiration” in Guangzhou and “Industry Insights” in Shenzhen, this final event was all about “Implementation” in Hong Kong. Participants gained first-hand experience at several game-changing EdTech start-ups incubated at Cyberport, the Summit’s Strategic Partner. These included ATTA Technologies, which showcased the Progress Tracker, an AI-driven sports training system that collects and analyzes performance data for users of all ages, and VisionARi Ltd., which introduced its immersive AR learning tools that enhance STEAM education by providing engaging 3D content and real-time feedback for students.
Participants also learned about “whole school” approaches to implementing different STEAM programmes, and GBA STEAM leaders discussed innovative strategies they are using at their schools. In his Keynote Speech, Mr. Andrew C. Chase, Head of School at Eaglebrook, shared his insights on “Cultivating a Culture of Innovation: Embracing STEAM and the Environment”, inspiring educators to rethink how to build an ideal culture that nurtures innovative ideas. It was followed by a panel discussion, which showcased case studies by GBA school leaders on “Whole School STEAM Implementation.”
The event offered 14 breakout sessions throughout the day, exploring a variety of topics, from “Journey to The Genius Vincent Van Gogh” to “FSA RV × Micro:bit Autoshop”, where participants had the chance to meet, brainstorm, and network with other like-minded STEAM educators.
The event’s final session featured a “World Café” discussion themed “Developing an Ecosystem of STEAM Educators.” This unique format allowed participants to share their experiences and reflections on STEAM practices in their schools with other educators. The discussion was facilitated by Mr. Michael Tam, Chief Product Officer of Preface, the Summit’s digital partner. He guided the participants in exploring the importance of establishing a supportive ecosystem for STEAM education and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Mr. Tam then delivered a spotlight talk, emphasizing the importance of pausing and reflecting in the age of AI to be more prepared to respond to future challenges.
The School Leadership Academy was honoured to have Cyberport as a Strategic Partner of the Summit. Mr. Ricky Choi, Director of Smart Living at Cyberport, said: “At the Summit today, Cyberport has led various educational technology start-ups to showcase innovative solutions. We hope to connect these start-ups with educational leaders to create collaboration opportunities that will positively impact the future of education.”
Mr. Tommie Lo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Summit’s Digital Partner, Preface, shared his insights on the future of education at the Summit. He emphasised that education is fundamentally about perspective and that shaping the viewpoints of younger generations is crucial for the future. He also highlighted the need to transform technology education through computational thinking and design thinking.
“Inspiration” in Guangzhou and “Industry Insights” in Shenzhen
The inaugural FFSLS, with the theme “Navigating The Future: Empowering STEAM School Leaders,” was a landmark series of events designed to inspire, inform, and empower school leaders and educators in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and across Asia and to explore the future of STEAM education.
The first event on 18 October 2024 sparked “Inspiration” at the Kindervarsity Hub in Panyu, Guangzhou. It was attended by over 150 leaders from industry and academia, and STEAM coordinators and teachers who engaged with pioneering thought leaders from around the GBA in presentations, workshops, and exhibitions.
The second event on 2 November 2024 brought participants to leading high-tech companies in Shenzhen, including Lenovo, Tencent and Dah Chong Hong (DCH). The exciting day offered school leaders real-world insights from the forefront of technology and education, providing practical knowledge they can bring back to their schools to enhance their teams’ pedagogical approach to teaching.
“The inaugural Future-Focused School Leadership Summit brought together school leaders, STEAM educators and industry professionals across the GBA, creating a dynamic ecosystem for exploration of new educational technologies to bring transformative change in schools, communities, and beyond,” said Dr. Arnett Edwards, Founding Director of the School Leadership Academy. “We look forward to seeing more collaborations among the education communities and industry practitioners to develop cutting-edge strategies in learning and teaching to shape the future of education.”
Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, Group President and Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTFEG, thanked partners for redefining STEAM education with emerging technologies and real-world learning. “We believe you will empower students to become adaptable, tech-savvy innovators of tomorrow. We hope you leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a bold vision to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among your students,” she said.
The School Leadership Academy is committed to supporting, enhancing, and developing future-focused school leaders. We equip leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate and thrive in an ever-evolving educational landscape, ensuring their ability to lead schools effectively into the future.
Our programmes foster innovation and forward-thinking mindsets among leaders, enabling them to anticipate and respond to emerging educational challenges and opportunities.
The School Leadership Academy cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability, empowering leaders to drive positive change and create meaningful impact within their schools and communities.