Nexus Takes Centre Stage at EDUtech Asia 2026, Shaping Conversations About the Future of Education

From opening the conference with a musical performance to leading conversations on artificial intelligence and the future of schooling, Nexus International School (Singapore) was proud to play an active role at EDUtech Asia 2026.

Bringing together educators, school leaders and technology professionals from across the region, EDUtech Asia provides a platform for exploring how technology is transforming education and what schools need to do to prepare learners for the future.

This year, Nexus contributed to the conference in three ways: our Jazz/Pop Ensemble opened the event with a live performance; Principal, Karrie Dietz, joined an industry panel exploring what schools might look like in 2035; and our Director of Digital Learning & Entrepreneurship, Shoaib Raza, led a specialist workshop on AI implementation in schools.

Together, these contributions reflect Nexus’s commitment not only to driving innovation within our own learning community, but also to sharing our expertise, influencing industry thinking and helping shape the future of international education.

Opening EDUtech Asia with the talent of our learners

The conference began on a high note as the Nexus Jazz/Pop Ensemble took to the stage to open EDUtech Asia 2026.

Performing in front of an audience of educators, school leaders and industry professionals from across the region, our learners showcased their musical ability, confidence and collaborative spirit.

For the musicians, opportunities to perform on such a significant platform are about much more than the performance itself. They provide valuable experiences that help learners develop skills, build confidence and pursue their interests beyond the classroom.

Oliver, an IBDP learner and member of the ensemble, reflected on what the experience meant to him:

“Performing at big venues really helps me grow as a musician. Being part of these events forces me to perfect my pieces, meaning I spend more time practising, which helps my musicality overall. I am very grateful we get these opportunities as it teaches me skills beyond academics, and is also very enjoyable”.

Having our learners open a major regional education conference was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the breadth of talent within the Nexus community and demonstrate the importance of a holistic education that develops creativity alongside academic achievement.

Reimagining the schools of 2035

Nexus Principal Karrie Dietz joined other industry leaders for a panel discussion titled Building the School of 2035 for the Next Generation.

The discussion explored how education must evolve in a world shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change. Panellists challenged conventional assumptions about schooling, considering what institutions may need to start, stop or rethink to remain relevant over the coming decade.

Beyond the opportunities technology presents, the conversation also addressed the importance of making change sustainable. With educators navigating increasingly complex demands, schools must consider how to embrace innovation without contributing to change fatigue or compromising the quality of teaching and learning.

For Karrie, engaging in these conversations and exchanging perspectives with leaders across the education sector is essential to ensuring that innovation is purposeful and grounded in the needs of learners.

Karrie Dietz on learning, leading and shaping the future of education

Following the panel discussion, Karrie shared her reflections on the importance of collaboration, purposeful innovation and the role schools must play in shaping the future of learning:

“We are experiencing an exciting time in education. Technology, particularly AI, is opening possibilities that were difficult to imagine just a few years ago. As Principal at Nexus, I believe our responsibility goes beyond keeping pace with change. We have an opportunity to challenge assumptions, reimagine what’s possible and help shape the future of learning.

This is why I value opportunities such as EDUtech Asia, where conversations with educators, school leaders and professionals across industries spark new thinking. In a world where technology is changing so quickly, we cannot innovate in isolation. Understanding how others are adapting, what they’re discovering and the challenges they’re navigating helps us think differently and move forward with purpose.

For me, meaningful innovation isn’t about being first to adopt the latest technology. It’s about having the courage to explore new possibilities while remaining thoughtful about their impact. As we consider the potential of AI, we are exploring important questions about learning, critical thinking, professional judgement, safety and responsible governance, ensuring our decisions reflect our values and genuinely benefit our learners.

Equally important are the voices within our own Nexus community. Our educators, learners and parents bring diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas that challenge and enrich our thinking. The future of education is something we can shape together.

We do not know what the future will look like, but we can choose how we approach it – with curiosity, courage, collaboration and a willingness to keep learning. Our ambition at Nexus is not simply to prepare learners for their future, but to inspire and empower them to imagine, influence and create a future full of possibility.”

Turning AI ambition into meaningful educational practice

While Karrie’s panel explored the bigger questions surrounding the future of education, Shoaib Raza, Nexus’s Director of Digital Learning & Entrepreneurship, brought the conversation to the practical realities of implementing change within schools.

Having previously seen Nexus recognised with the Best AI Innovation Strategy award at EDUtech Asia, Shoaib reflected on the importance of sharing expertise and challenging established thinking across the education sector.

“A year ago, Nexus received the Best AI Innovation Strategy award at EDUtech Asia. It was welcome recognition, but the work of translating ambition into meaningful educational practice continues.

A school that cannot articulate the purpose of education will struggle to articulate the purpose of AI in education. Too often, schools begin with technology and work backwards to find an educational justification.

As AI becomes increasingly capable, protecting independent thinking, deep subject knowledge and human relationships becomes even more important. We must not allow the pursuit of efficiency to make thinking optional.

Conferences such as EDUtech Asia provide valuable opportunities to challenge assumptions, exchange experiences, support fellow educators and contribute to thought leadership across the profession. These conversations matter because the challenges and opportunities presented by AI extend well beyond individual schools. By sharing our experiences and learning from others, we can help shape a more thoughtful and evidence-informed approach to educational technology.

Ultimately, meaningful innovation in education is less about what changes on our screens and more about what changes for our learners.”

Contributing to the future of international education

From our learners taking centre stage to our school leaders sharing their expertise with fellow educators, EDUtech Asia 2026 was an opportunity to showcase the breadth of talent, knowledge and forward-thinking perspectives within the Nexus community.

We believe that shaping the future of education means being part of the conversations driving change across the industry. By sharing our experiences, challenging established thinking and learning from others, we continue to contribute to the advancement of international education.

A big thank you to the EDUtech Asia team for bringing together such a diverse community of educators, innovators and industry leaders, and for providing a platform for these important conversations. We look forward to continuing to be part of the dialogue shaping what comes next for education.

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