International Forum for Teachers (IFT) 2017

Pearson Edexcel, University of Nottingham and Gateway Graduate School in partnership with a few selected partners will host the ‘International Forum for Teachers (IFT)’ on the 15th of September in Hulhumale, Maldives and the 16th of September at BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka. This teacher conference, the first of its kind, is held annually and is open to all teachers.

IFT’s mission is to help generate world-class teachers through global partnership and collaboration and this annual conference offers delegates the opportunity to network, exchange best practices and better understand the rapidly changing aspects of school education globally.

The event will include presentations from eminent International Speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities. This year’s theme, ‘ Touching Hearts - Transforming Minds’ will focus on the magic in teaching and the wizardry of teachers that allow them to conjure a myriad of educational concoctions and enchanting wisdom to reach into the heart of every learner. The goals of the Forum include: Ensuring teachers understand the value of education for the mind and heart Enabling teachers to acquire new insights and approaches to initiate active learning Introducing teachers to the practice of brain-based learning Allowing teachers to know how to construct their own learning communities

Speakers:

Nottingham, UK. He is a Fulbright Scholar with attachments in New York, Washington and New Mexico, USA.

He is currently also the Executive Director of the Bangladesh College Education Development Project (2016-2021). This project funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank is aimed at improving the quality and standards of the higher education sector in Bangladesh by training 8,525 higher education college lecturers/teachers, principals, future leaders, managers and policy makers.

David Shaw is a visiting professor at the Aberdeen Business School specialising in leadership, communication and wellbeing. He carries out work through his consultancy, Unicorn ARC, with organisations such as Edexcel, Petrofac, the Scottish Government, the UK’s National Health Service and the Dubai Police to deliver change, improved wellbeing and better operational outcomes. His focus at the moment is on creating psychologically safe working environments that bring huge benefits to employees and organisations. He holds a Cranfield Masters degree in Defence Administration and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and is a member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He was appointed CBE in 2012.

Professor Mark Carroll is Associate Dean (International & Engagement) for the Faculty of Arts, University of Adelaide, and Director of the University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music. Mark is a passionate music educator, and an active classical and pop music performer. His research activities range from music and politics, music and society, to studies in contemporary popular music. Mark works closely with The Australian Ballet, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Opera of South Australia, State Theatre Company and Adelaide Festival Centre.

Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala is the first Sri Lankan, and first Sri Lankan woman to summit Mount Everest (8,848m/29,030ft), a double record she achieved at 5:03am on the 21st of May 2016. She is a mountaineering professional and women’s rights advocate. Since 2003, she has been professionally involved with the sport of rock climbing as an instructor, while simultaneously working full-time as a women’s rights advocate. Jayanthi is currently serving as the first ever Goodwill Ambassador for Women's Rights for the Ministry of Women's Affairs. Jayanthi holds a Master’s Degree in Gender Studies from the University of Sussex, UK.

Panelists:

Professor Andrew Walker is President and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Interim) at Monash University Malaysia. Before joining Monash University Malaysia in late 2016, he worked at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

Professor Walker has a strong interest in educational innovation. For more than a decade he has been exploring how new technology and forms of media can transform the ways academics share knowledge and promote learning. He is also committed to the importance of learning outside the classroom. He is an anthropologist specialising in the society and culture of Southeast Asia. Prof. Walker graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a PhD at ANU.

Cynthia Yolanda Doss is the Director of the Post Graduate Certificate of Higher Education Program at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. She has taught ESP, Critical Thinking, Pragmatics, Cross cultural Interaction and Proficiency. In addition, she has been actively involved in teacher training, train-the-trainer programs, curriculum design, and materials production as well as teaching Business English and Mind Mapping courses for both the public and private sectors. She has presented papers at national and international conferences and co-authored several ELT books. Her areas of research interest are Brain-based learning, Literacy, Mind Mapping and Critical Thinking. She has also been an Education Consultant for Pearson’s and Oxford’s projects with the Ministry of Education Malaysia

Mrs. Nirmali Wickremesinghe counts 40 years of experience in education from Government, Private and International Schools here and abroad. In December 2013, she retired from Ladies College following a successful tenure as Principal. Prior to serving Ladies College, she served as the Deputy Principal of Bishop’s College and the Head of the Teacher Training unit of the British School in Colombo. Presently, Mrs. Wickremesinghe serves as the Consultant to the Gateway Group of Schools.

Felicia joined Microsoft in 1992 and following successful roles in marketing and operations returned to her passion; education. In her current role as Asia Pacific Senior Teacher Engagement Manager, Felicia manages Microsoft’s professional development programs for both K-12 and higher education to help drive the effective use of technology in the classroom and deliver the 21st century learning to students.

Felicia began her career as an English and History teacher in Australia. She has a Masters’ Degree in English Language from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Arts in Education and History from the University of Sydney and Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management from Sydney TAFE.