globalbridge in Dubai: Key Insights from the 35th Elets World Education Summit

At globalbridge, our mission is simple: to bridge the gap between education and the world of work by evidencing the whole child.

Last week, that mission took us to the UAE as our Founder, Ben Mason, and Education Lead, Russell Paterson, attended the 35th Elets World Education Summit in Dubai — our first official visit to the region.

What we encountered was not a different conversation, but a familiar one on a global stage.

Across panels, keynotes and discussions, the same question surfaced repeatedly:

How do schools prepare students for a future that cannot be measured by exams alone?

Future-Ready, Not Just Pass-Ready

Held at the Shangri-La Dubai, the summit brought together educators, policymakers and innovators from across the Middle East and beyond.

One message stood out clearly. As Nicki Williams, Director of Education at Taaleem, put it:

Students must be “future ready, not just pass ready.”

This shift reflects a growing recognition that academic attainment, while essential, represents only part of a learner’s profile. Schools are increasingly focused on evidencing character, competencies and personal development alongside qualifications.

It is a conversation that mirrors what we are seeing across the UK — and confirms that the need for a broader, credible record of achievement is international.

Aligning Schools, Students and Parents

During the summit, Ben joined an expert panel alongside Sapna Changrani, Dr. Nabil Husni, Rebecca Coulter and Melita Coutinho to explore how EdTech can better align stakeholder expectations.

The discussion centred on a vital principle:

Technology should strengthen school communities, not fragment them.

• Parents want meaningful visibility into their child’s progress.

• Schools need richer insights into student growth, including essential skills.

• Students deserve recognition beyond exam results.

  
  

When thoughtfully implemented, digital tools can connect these perspectives and create a more transparent, collaborative ecosystem.

Signals of Where Education Is Heading

Several themes across the two-day event reinforced the direction of travel for education:

The Skills Revolution

Gemma Peebles of Harrison College shared insights on embedding structured skill development into the fabric of school life. As long-term advocates of competency-based frameworks, it was encouraging to see this approach positioned as foundational rather than supplementary.

Portable Learning Records

Discussions around “learning passports” highlighted the demand for digital profiles that travel with students between institutions — an idea gaining traction internationally as mobility increases.

Looking Toward 2030

Panels moderated by leaders including Dr. Tim Hughes of Bloom Education explored how schooling is evolving toward innovation, adaptability and entrepreneurship — signalling a broader shift toward what many describe as a “learning economy.”

Together, these conversations point to a system increasingly focused on demonstrable capability, not solely certification.

A Milestone for globalbridge

The summit was also a significant moment for our organisation.

We are delighted to confirm that globalbridge has agreed terms with our first partner schools in Dubai — an important step in our international expansion. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.

In a fittingly global moment, we also finalised a new UK partnership during the trip, agreeing terms with Harrison College.

A Shared Global Challenge

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Dubai was this: the conversation about recognising the whole child is no longer emerging — it is established.

From the UK to the UAE, schools are seeking credible ways to evidence growth, character and transferable skills alongside academic achievement.

The direction of travel is clear. Students need more than grades; they need a trusted, shareable record of who they are and what they can do.

We returned from Dubai energised by new partnerships, strengthened relationships and a clear sense that this is not a regional challenge — it is a global movement.

Further announcements regarding our Middle East partnerships will follow soon.