Professor Charles Hopkins

UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability

York University, Canada

Charles Hopkins holds the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University, Toronto, Canada. Established in 1999, his Chair was the first to position Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a core purpose of quality education.

He coordinates two global networks — the International Network of Teacher Education Institutions and #IndigenousESD — and has collaborated extensively with UNESCO, United Nations University, and ministries of education across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (UK), Hopkins has been awarded multiple honorary doctorates and professorships across Europe, Asia, and South America. Before his international career, he served as Regional Superintendent with the Toronto District School Board. His lectures worldwide emphasize quality education, global citizenship, and sustainability education.

Professor Danny Liu

Professor (Education-Focused)

University of Sydney, Australia

Professor Danny Liu is an award-winning educator, researcher, and innovator at the forefront of educational technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and learning analytics.

At the University of Sydney, he leads strategic initiatives in student success, AI-driven educational transformation, and learning analytics. He has co-authored the influential white paper 'Generative AI in Higher Education: Current Practices and Ways Forward' under the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).

Danny also collaborates with TEQSA to support academic integrity and informed AI use across the Australian tertiary sector. Internationally recognized for his contributions, he is passionate about advancing ethical AI adoption and enhancing student learning experiences through technology.

Professor Yew Soon Ong

President's Chair Professor of Computer Science, School of Computer Science and Engineering

Nanyang Technical University, Singapore

Professor Yew-Soon Ong is the President's Chair Professor of Computer Science at the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He also serves as the Chief Artificial Intelligence (CAS) Scientist at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, and is the co-Director of the Singtel-NTU Cognitive & Artificial Intelligence Joint Lab (SCALE@NTU).

Professor Ong is widely recognized in the global scientific community. He has been listed among the Stanford–Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists from 2020 to 2024. In addition, he was named a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher in 2015 and 2016, and was recognized as one of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.

In the area of education, Professor Ong received the 2023 Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance Award (GMAA) co-organised by UNESCO. His leadership in AI and interdisciplinary collaboration continues to advance transformative approaches to curriculum innovation in higher education.

Professor Darren Bagnall (Panel Moderator)

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Taylor’s University

As the new Pro-Vice Chancellor academic at Taylor’s University Professor Bagnall is leading the academic team and the University’s 2025-2035 teaching strategy. Professor Bagnall is an electronic engineer by training and his research has focused on optoelectronic devices and solar energy.

He was previously Dean of Engineering and Head of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre at Macquarie University, Sydney (2017-2025) and the Head of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW Sydney (2013-2017). In the UK he was Lecturer, Professor and Head of the Nano group at Southampton University (1999-2013) and Chair of the Solar UK Solar Energy Society (2010-2012).

Associate Professor Dr Lim Chee Leong

Senior Director of Learning Innovation and Development

Taylor’s University

Associate Professor Dr. Lim Chee Leong is the Senior Director of Learning Innovation and Development at Taylor’s University, Malaysia. He is a nationally recognised leader in pedagogical innovation, with over 20 years of experience in higher education. In 2014, he received the National Academic Award, Malaysia’s highest recognition for teaching and learning excellence.

Dr. Lim works strategically with academic leaders to elevate student learning through impactful, technology enabled approaches. He has led major institutional-wide initiatives, served on national e-Learning committees and international judging panels, positioning him as a change agent and thought leader in the transformation of higher education.

Professor Ts Dr Zaidatun Tasir

Senate Member, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Head, Education and Human Development Cluster, Academy of Professors Malaysia

Zaidatun Tasir is a Professor of Educational Technology at the Department of Advanced Learning Technology, FEST, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Her expertise includes personalised learning, learning analytics, mobile and online learning, Education 4.0, HyFlex learning, and meaningful AI-human interaction. She previously served as Dean of FSSH (2019–2022), Dean of Graduate Studies (2013–2019), and Chair of MyDEGS.

She is now the Head of the Education and Human Development Cluster at the Academy of Professors Malaysia. In 2019, she was named one of Malaysia’s Top Research Scientists and won the AKRI award for Immersive Blended Learning and Innovative Curriculum Design.

Associate Professor Dr Azidah binti Abu Ziden

Director, Academic Excellence Division

Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia

Associate Professor Dr Azidah Abu Ziden is the Director of the Academic Excellence Division at the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. She has extensive experience in instructional design, digital learning, microcredentials, and technology integration in higher education.

Prior to her current role, she served as Director at the Centre for Development of Academic Excellence (CDAE), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and led multiple national initiatives, including the development of the Malaysian Microcredential Framework, AI literacy for educators, and curriculum innovation strategies. A recipient of the 10th National Academic Award in the Teaching category, Dr. Azidah is a passionate advocate for personalised, inclusive, and future-ready education.