Ary Yulistiana

Educator and EdTech Advocate SMK Negeri 9 Surakarta

Ary Yulistiana is an experienced educator and EdTech advocate with almost two decades of dedication to advancing education through innovation and meaningful use of technology. She has been nationally recognized with the Medal of Honour – Satyalancana Pendidikan for Distinguished Teacher from the President of Indonesia and awarded a Gold Medal at the National Teacher Olympiad for her dedication to transformative teaching.

As the author of more than 30 publications, including her acclaimed book “Teachers in the Metaverse Era: Becoming Resilient and Growing Educators in the Age of Technological Revolution”, she explores the evolving role of teachers amid rapid technological change. Firmly rooted in classroom practice, she has also facilitated numerous professional development initiatives that equip educators with skills in digital literacy, creative pedagogy, and curriculum design.

Beyond institutional programs, she serves as a trainer for teachers in remote and underserved regions through the Indonesia Teaching Fellowship, promoting educational equity and professional growth across diverse contexts.

Representing Indonesia as a Kahoot! Ambassador at Bett UK 2025, she showcased innovative, homegrown educational strategies on a global platform. She further enhanced her expertise in 21st-century education by completing a Short Course on Pedagogical Skill – Applied Teaching Methodology at the University of Queensland, Australia.

It is a great honour for her to be part of the Bett Asia Advisory Board, where collaboration shapes the future of education across the region.

Damir Odobasic

Head of Music, ICT, and Digital Integrations Shanghai United International School (SUIS)

Damir Odobasic is the Head of Music, ICT, and Digital Integration at Shanghai United International School (SUIS), where he leads cross-campus initiatives to embed innovative technologies and AI into everyday teaching. With a diverse background in music education, education technology, and curriculum design, Damir empowers teachers and students alike to embrace digital tools in creative, ethical, and impactful ways.

A frequent speaker at international education conferences, Damir shares practical insights on the evolving role of educators in the AI era. He is the author of the AI in Harmony newsletter and the creator of Damir Musicverse, a platform offering resources for music teachers looking to integrate EdTech and AIEd into their classrooms.

His current work encompasses the development of both music and ICT curricula, as well as leading school-wide collaborations to help teachers enhance their practice through purposeful technology integration. Through this work, he supports future-ready learning environments grounded in creativity, digital fluency, and ethical use of AI.

He is honored to join the Bett Asia Advisory Group and contribute his expertise at the intersection of arts, technology, and education.

Howie Chang

Co-Founder & CEO Forward College

Howie Chang is a visionary leader at the intersection of technology, education, and business transformation. He is the co-founder and CEO of Forward College, a future-focused institution in Malaysia dedicated to equipping individuals with the digital and technological skills needed to thrive in a fast-changing world. Guided by its mission to build creators - not just consumers - of technology, Forward College exists to empower learners with real-world capabilities, while fostering a culture of innovation, purpose, and resilience.

Deeply committed to shaping sustainable talent pipelines, Howie has trained and mentored hundreds of professionals in AI, Product Management, UI/UX, and emerging technologies. As a certified HRD Corp trainer, he has delivered high-impact learning experiences for clients such as Dell, Clarivate, Micron, and Keysight. He has also lectured at Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic, bringing practical relevance into the classroom.

Before returning to Penang to make a homegrown impact, Howie spent over a decade immersed in Southeast Asia’s startup and innovation ecosystems. His career reflects a rare blend of product thinking, user experience, and entrepreneurial grit, fuelling his drive to help others adapt, learn, and evolve.

In recognition of his contributions to the tech and innovation ecosystem, Howie was awarded the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) by the Penang State Government.

Jamie Toner

Director of Technology and Innovation Singapore American School

Jamie Toner is the Director of Technology and Innovation at Singapore American School, where he works at the intersection of educational technology, digital innovation, and learning design. His approach emphasises the intentional use of technology to enhance learning for students and educators, with a strong focus on information, digital, and AI literacy, and on engaging with the wider questions shaping the future of learning in education.

Jamie’s career spans PK–12 and Higher Education, with leadership and teaching roles across the UK, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East. Prior to joining Singapore American School in 2024, he was the Founding Director of Digital Learning and Information Services at Harrow International School Shenzhen, leading organisation-wide digital strategy and innovation.

Recognised for his contributions to the field, Jamie was named to the UK Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) 125 List in 2023. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he is an active researcher, speaker, and writer, his PhD research examines how knowledge is shared, legitimised, and silenced in international school contexts.

Nina Adlan Disney

Managing Director LeapEd Services

Nina has worked in the Malaysian education sector for the past 34 years, as a lecturer, researcher, consultant, publisher, and most importantly, as a mother of three. She has held a variety of leadership roles covering the entire spectrum of learning, including Law Faculty Dean at HELP University, CEO of Asia Pacific Schools and CEO of Malaysia Airlines Academy. She is currently Managing Director at LeapEd Services, a social enterprise committed to education transformation, best known for the design, development, and delivery of the flagship Trust Schools Programme in 94 government schools across the country.

In 2021, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for Education Excellence from KSI and now also serves as an Adjunct Professor in Education at UNITAR International University. In 2025, she was appointed as a member of the National Education Reform Study (NERS), making recommendations for the 13th Malaysia Plan and has also been involved in policy advisory relating to the drafting of the new Malaysia Education Blueprint (2026-2035). Nina was called to the Bar (Middle Temple), completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the LSE and is an active member of the LSE Alumni Society in Malaysia.

Shoaib Raza

Director of Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Nexus International School (Singapore)

Shoaib Raza is a multi-award-winning educator and international school leader whose work sits at the forefront of innovation, strategy, and learning. He is recognised globally for his ability to navigate the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in education, bringing an international perspective on how schools can build resilience, adopt future-ready practices, and sustain meaningful value creation in the age of GenAI.

With extensive experience across a variety of school settings, from traditional independent schools in London to ultra-modern international schools in Asia, Shoaib has consistently driven ambitious projects that advance both educational quality and organisational strategy. His leadership has been associated with multiple national awards, reflecting his proven track record of excellence in cultivating innovation and aligning it with measurable impact.

Shoaib’s expertise lies in anticipating emerging trends and integrating them into frameworks that are scalable, outcome-focused, and rooted in evidence-based practice. In the context of GenAI, he works with schools to develop strategies that strengthen digital maturity, safeguard equity, and promote objective-led thinking. He positions curriculum as a strategic asset and champions the entrepreneurial mindset, empowering learners and educators alike to create meaningful value through innovation.

His approach combines strategic clarity with practical execution. By supporting capability audits and succession planning, Shoaib ensures that leadership bench strength is developed in tandem with technological adoption. His work focuses on aligning school-wide initiatives with broader organisational priorities, embedding cultures of continuous improvement, and using learning strategy as a lever for cultural cohesion and long-term sustainability.

An influential voice in international education, Shoaib has promoted its merits across more than a dozen nations and four continents. His insights have been published in Tes magazine, where he has contributed to professional discourse on innovation, equity, and the future of schooling. He speaks the language of educators, boards, and investors, ensuring that the integration of AI into schools is not merely a technical exercise but a strategic endeavour tied to institutional identity and value creation. His current areas of interest include curriculum as a strategic asset, strategic optionality through educational quality and brand equity, the role of digital platforms in scalable delivery, and education as an investable sector with long-term social impact.

Shoaib is also the author of "Timeless Learning: Raising Thinkers with Classical Education and AI Innovation", a best-selling book that explores how enduring principles of classical education can inform bold, future-ready practice. The book positions timeless educational ideas alongside the disruptive potential of AI, highlighting how schools can navigate change while remaining grounded in human-centred values.

As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Shoaib continues to contribute to global conversations on innovation, equity, and the future of learning. He is committed to equipping educators and learners with the frameworks, strategies, and mindsets required to adapt to a world shaped by technological transformation. His work underscores that the navigation of AI in education is not simply about adopting new tools, but about rethinking the very conditions under which learners thrive and institutions succeed.

Thinagaran Mutthusamy

Senior Assistant Teacher S J K Tamil Jerantut

Mr Thinagaran is a passionate and forward-thinking educator with a deep commitment to harnessing technology to transform learning experiences. With a background in Primary Mathematics, he has spent over 14 years in education, continuously exploring innovative ways to engage students and prepare them for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital world.

Driven by a strong belief in the power of hands-on, inquiry-based learning, Mr. Thinagaran has championed the integration of robotics and coding into the curriculum, empowering students to become creators, problem-solvers, and critical thinkers. He has led numerous initiatives and clubs focused on STEM education, guiding learners through real-world challenges using tools like microcontrollers, programmable robots, and design-thinking frameworks.

As a lifelong learner, Mr Thinagaran actively collaborates with educators globally, sharing best practices in educational technology integration. He brings a strategic perspective to the intersection of pedagogy and innovation, advocating for equity, accessibility, and purposeful tech use in schools.

Now contributing as a member of the Bett Asia Advisory Board, Mr Thinagaran aims to support educators and leaders across the region in reimagining education through meaningful technological transformation.

Tran Thanh Tung

Head of STEM Department The Inspire Schools, Vietnam

MEd Tran Thanh Tung is a STEM educator and curriculum designer from Vietnam, holding a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the United States. With over a decade of experience, he has led the integration of AI, AR/VR, and design thinking into K–12 classrooms through creative, student-centered programs. He is the lead organizer of NASA Space Apps Challenge Ho Chi Minh City and has served as a judge, advisory board member, and organizer for numerous educational competitions, forums, and conferences across Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Notably, he pioneered Vietnam’s first national AR/VR programming challenge and the country’s first AI-powered comic design competition for students, aiming to make emerging technologies both accessible and meaningful. Recognized as AI Educator of the Year 2024 and Educator of the Year 2025 by the World School Summit, Tung is committed to building a more inclusive, innovative, and purpose-driven learning ecosystem, "empowering future changemakers through creativity, technology, and heart".