Scottish High International School proudly hosted the North India IB Heads Meet on April 15, 2026, bringing together an inspiring collective experience of over 900 years, represented by 33 IB Heads from across the region.
The meeting commenced with an engaging address by Dr. Cdr. Kartikay Saini, Chairman of Scottish High International School, setting an inviting tone and reflecting on the power of collaboration in the pursuit of excellence.
This was followed by a captivating fusion classical dance performance by the students, and an energetic, inclusive dance, featuring students with additional needs, setting the tone for a day of creativity and collaboration. Additionally, the young Highlanders presented their award-winning DeNew pitch, which garnered significant attention at the JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year Finals 2026 held in Seoul, South Korea.
Ms. Vanita Uppal, OBE, Director of The British School, New Delhi, expressed her appreciation for the students’ efforts and the school’s exceptional hospitality. The gathering was enriched by the presence of distinguished leaders, including Capt. Rohit Sen Bajaj, Mr. Sameer Arora, Ms. Bakhtawar Saini, along with other visionary IB Heads.
Dr. Cdr. Kartikay Saini, Executive Committee Member of the IB Heads Association of India and South Asia, presented a thorough overview of the previous meeting’s proceedings and presented the list of newly appointed Executive Committee members.
Further, Dr. Saini took an insightful session on design for neurodiversity and access arrangements. He commenced the session with a brief video that established the context for inclusive education within IB schools.
He discussed the significance of well-structured access arrangements in supporting the diverse needs of learners. Furthermore, Dr. Saini emphasised the essential role of Heads of Schools in cultivating an inclusive culture, ensuring effective implementation of policies, and aligning institutional practices with the IB Access and Inclusion Policy. He further connected the Access and Inclusion Policy, Adverse Circumstances Policy, and the IB Assessments Procedures (2026), highlighting their collective role in ensuring equity, appropriate support, and fairness in assessment.
Later, through a video presentation, Dr. Cdr. Kartikay Saini highlighted key updates from the IB Global Conference held in Mumbai. For those who had attended the conference, it served as a reflective opportunity to revisit key moments, while others gained valuable insights into the discussions and experiences from the event.
Dr. Saini formally presented the Annual Calendar for the academic session 2026–27, detailing the key dates and scheduled events for the Association. He emphasised the significant engagements planned throughout the year, culminating in the upcoming Pan-India IB Heads meeting, which is set to take place in February 2027.
Dr. Cdr. Kartikay Saini’s address stood out as an ideal of insight and clarity, drawing from the wealth of deep and extensive experience. His words did more than inform, they inspired a renewed sense of purpose and direction. His vision truly served as a rallying call to action, effectively aligning the agenda with a more robust and focused direction. The overwhelming outpour of appreciation and messages from the Heads highlights Dr. Saini’s commendable engagement as well as the host school’s successful efforts during the meeting.
The North India IB Heads Meet 2026 fostered a powerful spirit of inclusion, collaboration, and innovation, enabling meaningful dialogue on key educational challenges while collectively shaping a progressive path forward for the IB community.
