Speaker List

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 be a member of the Bett Asia Advisory Group and contribute his expertise at the intersection of arts, technology, and education.

Dr Sathisha Goonasakaran

Head of STEAM Department Tenby Schools Penang

Dr Sathisha Goonasakaran is an award-winning educator and STEAM leader committed to transforming education through innovation and purposeful learning. As STEAM Lead at Tenby Schools Penang, she has been instrumental in repositioning the school as Penang’s first STEAM specialist institution, leading the development of a 75,000 sq ft state-of-the-art STEAM facility equipped with robotics, AR/VR, and AI technologies. 

She holds a PhD in Education from Universiti Sains Malaysia, where she developed a research-based model to strengthen interdisciplinary STEM learning. Dr. Sathisha actively delivers workshops across Asia, supporting educators in embedding integrated STEAM and effective EdTech practices. 

Recognised as one of Bett Asia’s EdTech 10 Women in 2023, she was also awarded the Anugerah Guru Berwibawa (Private School) by the Penang State Education Department in 2025, honouring her leadership in private education. Her work focuses on leveraging AI in education while nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and metacognition in learners. 

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Dr Syriac Nellikunnel Devasia

Dean Perdana University

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syriac Nellikunnel is the Dean of the Faculty of Business at Perdana University, Malaysia, and a distinguished educationist with deep expertise in higher education leadership, administration, and online education management. An accredited trainer, he previously served as Dean at MASHA University and has chaired more than six international conferences. Dr. Nellikunnel is the recipient of many global honors, including the Global Green Excellence Award (2026), Excellence in Educational Leadership Award (2025), and the Blackboard Award for Student Success (2019). His research spans marketing, sustainable development, UNSDGs, CSR, quality frameworks, consumer behavior, and digital transformation strategies. He has delivered keynote addresses at major international conferences on employability skills and emerging trends in teaching and learning. As a journal reviewer, external examiner, and PhD supervisor, Dr. Nellikunnel combines scholarship, mentorship, and governance expertise, making him a visionary leader shaping the future of higher education.

Duncan Verry

Bett Portfolio Director Hyve Group

Duncan is the Director of the Bett global series of events, comprising Bett Asia, Bett UK and Bett Brasil. He previously launched his own EdTech marketplace, exiting to Twinkl. Prior to this, he was a Director at Tes Global and Times Higher Education, responsible for the growth of the World University Rankings and launching the rankings for Asia and setting up the THE World Academic Summits, starting in Singapore in 2012. 

James Abela

Director of Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Garden International School

James Abela, Director of Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship at Garden International School, combines his extensive industry experience with a passion for education.

Since 2012, he has been instrumental in shaping the UK computing curriculum. He is the author of Vibe Coding: From Idea to App at the Speed of Flow, Creating SwiftUI Apps in Playgrounds, Parenting and Teaching in the Age of AI, The Gamified Classroom and the Oxford University Press IB Diploma Computer Science book. As the founder of the Southeast Asia Computer Science Teachers Association (SEACSTA), James has become a key figure in computer science education. His accolades include being named 21st Century Teacher of the Year in 2014, an Apple Distinguished Educator (Class Cork 2012), and a finalist for the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award in 2023.

James also runs workshops and writes curriculum resources, inspiring students to pursue their passions and attend world-renowned universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, Imperial and Carnegie Mellon.

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Jane Yip

Teacher True North International School (Vietnam)

Jane Yip is a product visionary, certified educator, and Agile advocate with over 18 years of experience building digital learning bridges, currently based in Hanoi.

Operating at the intersection of Design Thinking and EdTech, Jane specialises in translating complex pedagogical theories into robust, AI-supported teaching frameworks. By treating her live classrooms as agile prototype environments, Jane relies on continuous, qualitative feedback and rigorous testing to empower educators to transition from traditional content delivery to dynamic "Flow" facilitation.

Jane thrives in collaborative environments where evidence-based innovation, technology disruption, and human empathy converge to engineer measurable student success.

John Gwyn Jones

CEO FOBISIA

John Gwyn Jones MBE is a proud Welshman from Brynamman in the Amman Valley, whose journey from the hills of Carmarthenshire to the heart of international education in Asia has been anything but ordinary. John began his working life in the Midland Bank, where he quickly realised that counting other people’s money wasn’t quite his calling. Trading spreadsheets for school books, he trained to be a teacher at The University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen—a decision that would take him around the world. His first overseas adventure came in 1986, when he was seconded to the British Forces Schools in Hong Kong. One plane ticket later, John found his passion in international education—setting up schools, leading learning communities, and mentoring teachers across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Laos. He’s opened campuses, chaired boards, and occasionally even found time to do some educational coaching. John was a founding member, and the inaugural Chair of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), where he now serves as CEO. From his base in Bangkok, he supports over 100 premier British schools across the region—though he remains firmly grounded in his values of community, humour, and good old-fashioned Welsh resilience. In 2020, John was appointed MBE for services to British education overseas, an honour he received at Buckingham Palace from Princess Anne. He has also been recognised with a Leadership Award presented by former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Kim Chua

Director of Student Success and Support Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Asia

Kim is the Director of Student Success and Support at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Asia. Passionate about youth development, our efforts focus on enhancing student experience and career-based outcomes. With a strategic approach, she leads initiatives to improve retention, academic achievement, and career readiness. By fostering a supportive campus community, Kim empowers students to reach their full potential in the aviation industry and achieve their aspirations.

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Mathieu Dooms

Educational Technology Coordinator Overseas Family School (Singapore)

Mathieu Dooms is an educational leader and technology strategist currently serving as the Educational Technology and Events Coordinator at the Overseas Family School (OFS) in Singapore. With a focus on the intersection of pedagogy and emerging tech, Mathieu specialises in navigating the "mindset shift" required for successful AI integration in K-12 environments. He is an active contributor to the regional EdTech community, known for developing comprehensive frameworks that move beyond technical proficiency to foster critical thinking and ethical engagement.

At OFS, he leads hands-on initiatives that empower educators, students, and parents to embrace AI as a collaborative partner in the learning process. By translating complex AI concepts into actionable classroom strategies and administration support, Mathieu ensures that school communities are equipped with the essential 21st-century skills needed for a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

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Rizqi Khoirunnisa

Lead Research and Program Development Kuanta Indonesia

Rizqi Khoirunnisa is an education practitioner, teacher trainer, and program development specialist with more than 16 years of experience working in teacher development and school transformation. She has worked with educators, school leaders, and partners across Indonesia to design learning experiences and development programs that strengthen teaching quality and support meaningful change in schools.

In her current role at Kuanta Indonesia, Rizqi leads the design of training programs, educational projects, and strategic partnerships that connect innovation with practical implementation. Previously, she spent nine years at Putera Sampoerna Foundation, where she managed education programs and supported professional learning initiatives in diverse settings. A Cambridge trainer and Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching alumna, Rizqi brings both field experience and strategic perspective to her work. She is especially interested in teacher learning, school improvement, and creating education programs that are relevant, reflective, and impactful.

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Lai Cheng Wong

Senior Communication and Publication Manager SEAMEO RECSAM

Lai Cheng Wong is a Senior Manager at SEAMEO RECSAM with over 17 years of experience in strategic communications, knowledge management and regional education cooperation. She actively advances Digital literacy, AI literacy and Media and Information Literacy (MIL) at regional and global levels through her through her speaking, consulting, and publishing work.

In 2020, she co-founded the Media and Information Literacy for ASEAN Network, on a pro bono basis to empower Southeast Asia educators to integrate MIL into classroom practice. The Network has received several international recognitions, including the TechCamp Global Grant (2020), the U.S. Department of State Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Award (2022), and the UNESCO Global MIL Award (2023). Throughout her career, Wong as been actively involved in strategic planning, policy consultation and digital & media literacies advocacy and research work.

She has provided expert consultations and capacity building on digital and MIL for organizations such as the DCN Global, UNESCO regional offices, government agencies, and universities across Southeast Asia and beyond. She has led and contributed to numerous regional initiatives, including SEAMEO-Google teacher training on digital skills, TechCamp Malaysia–Philippines, and the ASEAN Teachers BootCamp on MIL.

She has also contributed to the development of AI Literacy Guidelines for the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the Southeast Asia regional policy framework on AI in Education (AIEd) and facilitated a capacity-building workshop on the integration of MIL into Mongolia’s national curriculum for educators, with the support of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia.

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Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri

Director (Academics and Operations) Educational Mentoring India (EMI)

Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri is a distinguished educational leader with over 30 years of experience across India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Certified in Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard University, she has held leadership roles spanning teacher, principal, vice-principal and independent consultant, training over 10,000 teachers and 5,000 principals and headmasters across India. Co-Founder and Director of Educational Mentoring India, Lakshmi leads globally on sustainable education and global citizenship, representing India at the UN ESCAP Asia Pacific Finance Roundtable for Climate Change, the UN Water Conference in New York, and COP30 in Brazil. She is Country Coordinator for the Centre for Global Education, Canada, and a member of iEARN, USA. A Bett Asia Award winner for Collaboration, published author and NEP 2020 resource person, Lakshmi's vision is singular to make holistic, inclusive education accessible to every child, at every level, everywhere.

Rohaida Abdul Manap

Principal Assistant Director Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia

Rohaida Abdul Manap is a Principal Assistant Director at the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM), leading digital learning transformation across 27 campuses, impacting over 30,000 students and more than 2,000 educators. With over two decades in the Ministry of Education Malaysia, her work sits at the intersection of policy, pedagogy and innovation.

Rohaida Abdul Manap contributed as a Subject Matter Expert for Malaysia’s Education Digitalisation Strategic Plan 2026–2035, where she focused on rethinking teacher education beyond LMS-driven models towards AI-enabled, future-ready ecosystems.

Rohaida Abdul Manap has represented Malaysia across international platforms in the Asia-Pacific, and is driven by one core belief: digital transformation in education must move beyond tools to truly reshape teaching, learning and impact at scale.

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. 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.

 

Sonia Wadhwa

Additional Director IT and Principal Salwan Education Trust and Salwan Junior School

Sonia Wadhwa is an accomplished educator, digital transformation leader, and global advocate for future-ready learning, with over 27 years of experience in teaching, curriculum innovation, and educational technology integration. At the forefront of reimagining education, Sonia has dedicated her career to equipping educators and learners with the tools, mindsets, and methodologies needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.

Currently serving as a Technology Integration Specialist, Sonia has led pioneering digital transformation initiatives across CBSE, CISCE, and Cambridge curricula. Her strategies have empowered schools and educators to meaningfully integrate technology into pedagogy—enabling co-creation, personalization, and critical thinking from the earliest stages of learning. Her visionary work supports the belief that artificial intelligence, when thoughtfully deployed, can foster agency, enhance early cognitive development, and make learning deeply human, even in digital formats. 

Sonia’s expertise spans Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Safety, and emerging technologies, which she has taught passionately to K–12 students. She is also a sought-after global trainer and thought leader in the educational technology landscape.

Steven Sutantro

Principal Learning Consultant REFO Indonesia

Steven Sutantro is the Principal Learning Consultant at REFO Indonesia. As an acclaimed Google Certified Trainer, Coach, and Innovator, Steven leads a team of experts in managing various training and mentoring programs for people involved in education. 

He currently manages Gemini Academy, a nation-wide AI training program that equips educators with AI literacy. In collaboration with Google and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia, Steven and his adept team have successfully designed this AI re-skilling program to train 180,000+ educators throughout Indonesia. 

With his expertise, Steven has created a variety of interactive AI workshops that have inspired 1,000+ leaders and educators to increase productivity and work efficiency, as well as spark creativity for better teaching and learning experience, leveraging technology, including AI. 


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Tripta Tarunesh

Director (Expert Relations) Educational Mentoring India (EMI)

Tripta Tarunesh is an early childhood expert with over 30 years of experience across classroom teaching, school leadership and curriculum design in India. Her practice is grounded in Harvard University's Project Zero where she completed Look Listen Interpret, Making Thinking Visible and Let's Play — and in Harvard's CEEL program, both of which deeply shaped how she sees children and learning. From that foundation she built two movements. PlayXploration uses technology to give play the structure and purpose it deserves in schools working across Play as an Activity and Play as Pedagogy, ensuring childhood is not missed, learning reaches every child, and teachers are empowered to observe, document and act on what they see. Her Life Skills program, built on jigsaw pedagogy for children aged 5 to 16, fills the gaps no curriculum addresses: civic sense, social responsibility, and the real workings of the world children are growing into. Tripta is Co-Founder of Educational Mentoring India and has designed curricula for national and international organisations. She believes schools teach curriculi. PlayXploration teaches children.