The 48th annual East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) Leadership Conference was as vibrant as ever. The extremely impressive array of valuable and thought-provoking presentations and workshops made it challenging for the Search Associates team, Barry and Veronica Drake, Gez Hayden and Nick Kendell, to decide which sessions to attend. The theme of this years' conference, held at the Shangri-La hotel in down town Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 27-29th was "Create, Connect, Commit." Our Associates attest that the program proved to be just as EARCOS had promised, "professionally stimulating… with an opportunity for networking and building camaraderie."
Of particular interest this year were the highly entertaining an insightful sessions offered by key presenter Sir John Jones, a U.K. based specialist in the leadership of change. His keynote address was entitled "Creative Leadership or Preparing Our Students for a World that Doesn't Exist." Richard Gaskill's presentation, on behalf of the International Schools Consultancy (ISC) Group, provided important updates in the growth and direction of the international education market. Also of note, this year, were the discussions focusing on women and leadership.
Search Associates not only provided a welcome presence in the Exhibitors Hall, but we also sponsored the very well-attended final reception at the conference. Our ongoing support for the conference was acknowledged and clearly appreciated. Congratulations are due to EARCOS Executive Director Dick Krajczar and his splendid team.