GEF
On October 24th, the Global Education Forum took place on the Songjiang Campus under the theme ‘Global Citizen, Chinese Heart – developing our approach to AI and Emerging Technologies.’
President Xu Yongchu opened the forum by discussing the impact of artificial intelligence upon education. She suggested that AI should be more than a supportive tool. It should be embedded in everyday teaching practice and research, offering plentiful hands-on practice, with opportunities for questioning, and observation. At the same time, no matter how advanced AI becomes, Madam Xu emphasized, it cannot replace teachers' emotional connections, the exchange of ideas, or the passing on of experience. President Xu closed her speech by encouraging teachers to collaborate across all campuses in order to build a coherent vision of whole person development.
Executive Headmaster Iain Kilpatrick guided the discussion of AI into questions about the skills students will need if they are to thrive in the years ahead. He noted that the world is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by technology, globalization, and evolving social needs. To be prepared for this world, students should possess critical thinking and problem‑solving skills; digital literacy and technological adaptability; emotional intelligence; a desire to always be learning; and global and cultural awareness. He closed his speech by reminding educators to commit to fostering these abilities for the future of an innovative world.
The morning sessions brought cross‑campus subject teams together—including English, mathematics, science, art, pastoral care, and learning support— to share best practices, and to collaborate on aligning instruction methods. Teachers met in department‑based groups for assigned sessions and spent the entire morning in collaborative discussions related to the previously mentioned goals. The administrative teams also participated in cross-campus exchanges, including a presentation on the latest developments of AI and how teams can apply them.
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The afternoon session centered on the theme ‘Global Citizen, Chinese Heart — Developing Our Approach to AI and Emerging Technologies.’
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The Global Education Forum is an annual professional development conference organized by the Pao Centre for Teaching and Learning. Founded in 2017, the PCTL offers an academic exchange platform for local and expat teachers across a range of subjects, and aims to position Pao School as a hub for educator training. Furthermore, through ongoing performance evaluations, targeted skills development, and by offering a variety of internal and external professional learning opportunities, the Centre seeks to enhance teaching and learning at Pao School generally, while supporting the school’s long-term development.
