Chandigarh, July 22: Academician, author and poet Dr. Sazina Khan from Chandigarh represented India as a panelist at the World School Summit 2026, held at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. The summit brought together education leaders from around the world to discuss the future of learning in the 21st century.
Dr. Khan participated in the panel discussion titled "Reframing Education for the Twenty-First Century" alongside educators Aakashee Shah, G Umar Farouq and Silvia Susana Gonzalez. The session was moderated by Manvi Khilnani and focused on how schools, universities and educators can prepare students for a rapidly changing, technology-driven world.
During the discussion, Dr. Khan stressed the need to move beyond rote learning and adopt competency-based education that promotes critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, ethical reasoning and lifelong learning. She said that while subject knowledge remains important, students should also be equipped to apply it effectively in real-life situations.
She also highlighted the importance of curriculum reform, calling for stronger alignment across grades and better integration between subjects to ensure meaningful learning. According to her, assessment systems should focus on creativity, communication, problem-solving and practical application rather than memorisation alone.
Speaking about the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, Dr. Khan said future-ready learning must combine technological literacy with empathy, ethics and human values. She also emphasised the importance of continuous professional development for teachers, describing them as facilitators who help students develop inquiry-based and meaningful learning experiences.
Reflecting on her participation, Dr. Khan said it was an honour to speak at the University of Oxford and reaffirmed her commitment to promoting inclusive and globally relevant education that prepares learners for future challenges.