{"id":37015,"date":"2026-08-12T16:18:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stu.org.sg\/?page_id=37015"},"modified":"2026-08-20T16:38:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T08:38:08","slug":"speaker-profile-24-oct-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stu.org.sg\/index.php\/speaker-profile-24-oct-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Profile – 24 Oct 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Speaker Profile - 24 oct 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Mr Chia Hai Siang<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Chia Hai Siang has been involved in public education in Singapore over the last 25 years. Beginning as a teacher of English Literature and General Paper in Raffles Junior College, Mr Chia has served subsequent stints in Planning Division, Ministry of Education (MOE), as a Subject Head in East Spring Secondary, Vice Principal (Instructional Programmes) at NorthLight School, and finally as Principal, Shuqun Secondary. From 2016 -18, he was the Principal Analyst for Technology in the Strategic Group at the Prime Minister\u2019s Office, Singapore. He rejoined MOE in 2018 and served as Product Owner, Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) and AI in Education (AIEd) solutions from 2018 to 2025. He is currently a Principal Specialist and Advisor, X-Labs in the Technologies for Learning branch, Education Technology Division, and leads MOE\u2019s rapid research efforts on innovative use of ICT in teaching and learning. He holds an Honours Degree (Second Upper) in English Literature from the National University of Singapore, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Pass with Merit) from the National Institute of Education and a Masters in Education (Learning and Teaching) from Harvard Graduate School of Education.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ms Cho Hee-jung<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Cho Hee-jung is an elementary school teacher at Poil Elementary School with over 22 years of classroom experience. She holds a B.A. in English Education from Gyeongin National University of Education and an M.A. in AI-based Creative Convergence Education from Chung-Ang University. As an AI and Digital Lead Teacher for the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, she has spearheaded digital transformation efforts, notably co-authoring the office’s authorized Grade 6 textbook on AI literacy and delivering professional development for fellow educators. She also serves as an advisory member on curriculum policy and teacher competency for educational authorities. Her professional work is driven by the belief that the true power of AI in schools is found in how it enables teachers to forge deeper connections with their students. This commitment to human-centered pedagogy was recognized with an award from the Minister of Education in December 2025 for her policy proposal in the national “Building Schools Together” competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dr Manuel Purog Alba\u00f1o<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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With over three decades of dedicated service in education, Dr. Manuel Purog Alba\u00f1o, CESO VI, is a distinguished educational leader, administrator, and advocate for teachers\u2019 welfare. He currently serves as Schools Division Superintendent of the Schools Division of Baybay City, where he champions quality education, good governance, digital transformation, and learner-centered reforms. A Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management and lifelong learner, Dr. Alba\u00f1o graduated Cum Laude in his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (Electronics), earned the Most Functional Research Award for his master\u2019s research, and received the Best Dissertation Award for his doctoral studies. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in instructional leadership, educational planning, quality assurance, research, disaster preparedness, and organizational development. Beyond the Department of Education, he serves as National President of the Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA) and National Vice President of the Philippine Association of Schools Superintendents (PASS) leading nationwide initiatives that advance teacher welfare, professional development, health and wellness, financial services, and strategic partnerships benefiting educators across the Philippines. Recognized for exemplary public service and educational leadership, Dr. Alba\u00f1o continues to inspire excellence through integrity, innovation, and servant leadership, empowering educators and promoting inclusive, equitable, and transformative education for every Filipino learner.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Dr Mohd Nazri Bin Abdul Rahman<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Dr. Mohd Nazri Abdul Rahman holds the Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. Started service as a teacher (Guru Cemerlang) at SM St Mary, Sandakan (1998-2007) before serving as an Pensyarah Cemerlang at the Teacher Education Institute, Kent Campus, Sabah (2008-2014) and Teacher Education Institute, Tuanku Bainun Campus, Penang (2015).<\/span><\/p>\n

In November 2015, he started working at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. He holds a Ph.D in Curriculum Design and Development from the University of Malaya. He actively researches and publishes in the areas of early childhood education, homeschooling, indigenous people and teaching and learning innovation. He is especially known for his homeschooling model for Orang Asli children which has reframed current ways of teaching Orang Asli children by tapping into the advantages of alternative education in Malaysia. His works have been published in Malaysian and International journals.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also published books on Pendidikan Alternatif Homeschooling, Design and Developmental Research and Kurikulum: Satu Disiplin yang Dinamik. He has received several recognitions for his teaching and research including awards such as Faculty of Education Excellent Post Graduate Student 2014; Excellent Thesis 2014; Anugerah Cemerlang Universiti Malaya (Penyelidik Muda) 2018 and Anugerah Jalinan Masyarakat UMCares 2017. He has also won the Anugerah Guru Inovatif Kebangsaan 2003, 2004 and 2006 for his teaching and learning projects. He also been involved in consultation projects and research related to Bully, Community engagement and future education.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Dr Phonraphee Thummaphan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Phonraphee Thummaphan is currently a Deputy Secretary-General of the <\/span>Teachers\u2019 Council of Thailand.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He completed his Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from Nakhonratchasima <\/span>Rajabhat University, his Master of Education in Educational Research from Chulalongkorn <\/span>University, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behavioral Science Research from <\/span>Srinakharinwirot University. To further his expertise in education, he boarded to the United States <\/span>of America in order to receive a certificate of Individual Concentration in Social Statistics in <\/span>Education and achieved another Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement and Statistics in the <\/span>College of Education from the University of Washington, Seattle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He started his career as a teacher and head of the academic affair for lower secondary <\/span>education at Ban Nonkung School in Amnatcharoen province and worked for the Bureau of <\/span>Educational Innovation Development at the Office of the Basic Education Commission. After that, <\/span>he moved to work as a researcher at the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (Public <\/span>Organization). Before joining the Teachers\u2019 Council of Thailand, his last position was as a lecturer <\/span>and assistant professor for the Faculty of Learning Sciences and Education at Thammasat <\/span>University, Thailand.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He has noticeably specific skills in various areas such as research, measurement and <\/span>statistical programming. Furthermore, his areas of expertise are assessment and program <\/span>evaluation, STEM Learning, and behavioral sciences.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ms Rasimah binti Haji Abang<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Rasimah binti Haji Abang is the Headteacher of Sekolah Rendah Sengkurong, Brunei Darussalam, with more than 34 years of experience in education and over 19 years as a school leader. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership and School Improvement and has led several primary schools, driving sustainable school improvement through instructional leadership, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative professional learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passionate about educational innovation, Rasimah champions the integration of ethical artificial intelligence (AI), digital literacy, and authentic learning to prepare future-ready learners. Under her leadership, Sekolah Rendah Sengkurong developed the AI-Enhanced E-Writing Programme themed \u2018Every Child has a Voice\u2019, an innovative initiative that integrates AI, cultural heritage, and international collaboration to empower students as confident writers and responsible digital citizens. Her leadership has contributed to numerous school achievements, including the Government Primary Schools Co-Curricular Excellence Award (2018), sustained improvements in Primary School Assessment (PSR) performance (2017 to 2019) and (2018 to 2020), Whole School Evaluation (WSE) Incentive Awards (2021, 2023, and 2024), and the Gold Award at the 2026 School Innovation Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rasimah has represented Brunei at international leadership programmes, including the Education World Forum (United Kingdom), NIE Singapore, and SEAMEO INNOTECH, and has presented at professional learning events organised by the Ministry of Education and the Brunei Darussalam Leadership and Teacher Academy (BDLTA). In recognition of her professional contributions and leadership excellence, she received the Outstanding Teacher Award (School Leadership) during Brunei’s 2025 Teachers’ Day Celebration. She remains committed to empowering teachers, strengthening school-community partnerships, and advancing innovative, sustainable education that equips every learner with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dr Quy Trinh Thi<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Dr. Quy Trinh Thi is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Educational Management at Hanoi National University of Education, Vietnam. I am also a member of the Executive Committee of the University’s Trade Union, affiliated with the Vietnam National Union of Education, and has more than 20 years of experience in trade union activities. Dr. Quy holds a Ph.D. in Education. I am teaching and research focus on teacher education and professional development, educational management, school leadership, and curriculum development and management. I has been actively involved in a range of education projects supported by international organizations, including UNICEF, Plan International, and Save the Children, with a particular emphasis on improving educational opportunities for children in disadvantaged communities and learners with special educational needs. My current academic interests include fostering connectedness in education and promoting students’ holistic well-being through supportive learning environments that enhance both their academic development and socio-emotional well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mr Tham Hanrong<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Tham Hanrong serves as the Vice President of the Singapore Teachers\u2019 Union (STU) and is a Chemistry educator at Yishun Innova Junior College. With a decade of dedicated service across the STU Central Council and as a school delegate, Hanrong is a steadfast advocate for teacher wellness, workplace fairness, and the ongoing professional learning of educators.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passionate about nurturing future scientists, Hanrong has contributed to the Singapore Youth STEM Festival (SYSF) for eight years as Chairman and Advisor, providing a platform for middle school students to showcase their science research projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIn his college, he spearheads the Education Career Guidance (ECG) and Internationalisation portfolios. He actively enriches student development by organising career symposiums, securing valuable industry work attachments, and bridging students with alumni networks. In fostering global perspectives, he creates meaningful opportunities for students to host and visit partner schools across the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bOutside his union and college commitments, Hanrong is an avid home baker and coffee enthusiast who treasures quality time with his wife, Hui Leng, and their young son, Enze. He is honoured to be presenting the country report for Singapore at this year\u2019s ASEAN Council of Teachers + Korea (ACT+1) Convention.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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