Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) successfully co-hosted the Bright Start International Conference, a landmark event uniting educators, researchers, and policymakers from Abu Dhabi, London, and around the world. Dedicated to advancing early childhood and primary education, the conference reaffirmed HCT’s commitment to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and the integration of emerging technologies in education.
Held simultaneously at HCT’s Abu Dhabi campus and the Park Plaza Victoria in London, and streamed globally, the event featured over 100 interactive workshops and forums. Highlights included the launch of the AI Play Forum, a pioneering global think tank exploring how young children interact with artificial intelligence through play, and the unveiling of the Voices of Children Pedagogy™ Global Initiative, empowering children to become active authors of their learning journeys.
The conference emphasized preparing students and educators with future-ready skills, enabling them to navigate an increasingly technology-driven educational landscape. Sessions showcased AI’s role in personalizing learning, enhancing classroom management, and fostering creativity, while also promoting inclusion, equity, and social justice in early and primary education.
Dr. Eirini Gkouskou, Bright Start Foundation Board Member and Lead of the Voices of Children Pedagogy™ Global Initiative, stated:
"This year’s Bright Start International Conference showed what is possible when innovation, vision, and global collaboration converge. Hosting the event simultaneously in Abu Dhabi and London, with participants from 47 countries, created an unprecedented platform for shared learning and collective action. We are grateful to HCT for their exceptional leadership in shaping the future of early childhood education globally."
A key announcement was the launch of the world’s first AI Literacies Module for early childhood education, developed under the Evolving Voices of Children Pedagogy™ Global Initiative by Prof. Mutlu Cukurova, Director of UCL Knowledge Lab. This initiative equips children with the skills to thrive creatively, ethically, and empathetically in an AI-driven world, addressing the critical challenge of cognitive development in early years.
Dr. Priti Verma, Executive Dean of the Education Program at HCT, added:
"We are proud to host this global conference connecting perspectives from Abu Dhabi to London and beyond. The event reinforced the importance of integrating AI into learning, adopting child-centered pedagogies, and preparing educators to innovate and lead in early childhood education worldwide."
The conference also featured contributions from prestigious institutions including Harvard’s Project Zero and UCL Knowledge Lab, alongside award-winning educators and international thought leaders, marking a significant step toward a global movement for innovative and inclusive early learning.
