NAS Abu Dhabi Hosts Global Educators to Shape the Future of Teaching
Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi was proud to host the SEAMEI Teaching & Learning Conference 2025, welcoming over 200 international teachers and leaders from Nord Anglia Education schools across the region. Over three days, our school became a hub for collaboration and innovation, as educators explored leadership, resilience, and inclusion—key elements shaping the future of teaching and learning. The three-day conference provided an invaluable platform for teachers and educational leaders from across the region to collaborate, share best practices, and gain fresh insights to bring back to their classrooms.
A transformative experience for NAS Abu Dhabi educators
The conference offered our educators an opportunity to engage with peers, explore forward-thinking teaching strategies, and strengthen their approach to student learning.
“Attending the conference deepened my dedication to creating a school that not only prioritises academic excellence but also offers opportunities to cultivate the vital personal qualities students need to succeed in an unpredictable future” – Michael Connor, Head of Primary.
“This event highlighted the power of collaboration between educators and was full of valuable and thought-provoking leadership takeaways, which I’m excited to discuss with the Secondary team at NAS Abu Dhabi.” – Stephen Moffatt, Deputy Head of Secondary.
Driving innovation in teaching and learning
Nord Anglia Education places continuous professional development at the heart of its strategy, ensuring educators have the tools and knowledge to enhance student learning. The conference explored AI in education, neurodiversity, inclusive leadership, and other key topics shaping the future of teaching. With the UAE emerging as a global hub for artificial intelligence, recent initiatives—such as the reconstitution of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council—are driving advancements in AI research and education.
"AI is a particularly relevant topic in the UAE, which is among the top 10 countries with the most AI companies per million population," said Rob Walls, Head of Middle East Schools at Nord Anglia. "With Abu Dhabi positioning itself as a leader in AI and advanced technology, this conference provided an important opportunity for our teachers to explore how AI can be integrated into education to enhance student outcomes."
Beyond technology, the event also focused on Nord Anglia’s groundbreaking research into metacognition, helping students develop an awareness of their learning processes to improve problem-solving and critical thinking.NAS Abu Dhabi is proud to be piloting the Metacognition research project alongside other Nord Anglia schools.
“Through leadership discussions at the conference, our academic teams explored how to apply Nord Anglia’s latest research on metacognition," added Walls. "By embedding metacognitive strategies in the classroom, we help students develop the skills to become independent, self-directed learners. In offering a forward-thinking education, we are supporting skills development with our Nord Anglia educational framework centred around the continuous growth of the 6 Cs—ensuring our students evolve into critical, creative, committed, and curious learners, while collaborating compassionately both in and outside the classroom."
Strengthening our global community
For NAS Abu Dhabi educators, the conference was a fantastic opportunity for professional development but also a chance to collaborate with peers from around the world and contribute to Nord Anglia’s global education community.
“Collaborating with colleagues from our sister schools in the region is incredibly enriching, offering valuable opportunities to share insights and leverage the vast expertise within the Nord Anglia community.” – Michael Connor, Head of Primary.
“As educators, we all have one common aim, to win it for young people. This conference reinforces Nord Anglia’s global commitment to staff development and the power of reflection. When we continue learning and evolving, our students and families benefit from ever-improving experiences." – Liam Cullinan, Principal. “This year’s theme, Leadership, aligned perfectly with our school’s vision: ‘Leading the way… inspiring everyone to be extraordinary.’ As a new school in Abu Dhabi, we are making a strong impact, not just locally but on a global scale. Abu Dhabi is committed to fostering an environment where everyone thrives, and that ambition mirrors both our school’s culture and Nord Anglia’s vision for education."
The knowledge and strategies gained at the SEAMEI Teaching & Learning Conference 2025 will continue to shape learning experiences at NAS Abu Dhabi, ensuring that students benefit from the latest advancements and best practices in education.
Hosting this conference was a major milestone for NAS Abu Dhabi and a testament to the dedication and talent of our team. It was also wonderful to have our parent, Tracy Lavin, lead a sound healing session, creating a much-needed moment of calm in the midst of an inspiring and energising event. The connections made and insights shared over these three days will have a lasting impact, not just on our school, but across the region, ensuring that our students continue to benefit from world-class teaching and learning.
Want to know more? Connect with us at admission@nasabudhabi.ae or call +971 2 699 3333.
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