Academic Committee

The Academic Advisory Committee is comprised of an international group of accomplished experts to guide the research agenda based on pressing and salient issues raised from the annual forums.

 

Tan Oon Seng

SINGAPORE

Centre Director, Centre for Research in Child Development

Professor, Psychological Studies

Editor-in-Chief, Educational Research for Policy and Practice (ERPP)

Lead Editor, Asia Pacific Journal of Education Nanyang Technological University

BIOGRAPHY
A. Lin Goodwin
HONG KONG

 

Dean and Professor The Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong

BIOGRAPHY
Eric Hanushek

USA

The Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow

The Hoover Institution of Stanford University

BIOGRAPHY
Rebecca A. Maynard

USA

University Trustee Chair Professor of Education and Social Policy, Emeritus
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania

BIOGRAPHY
Christoph Metzger

SWITZERLAND

Professor in Business Education

Former Dean of the School of Business Administration

University of St. Gallen

BIOGRAPHY
Rebecca Winthrop

USA

Senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education, The Brookings Institution.

BIOGRAPHY

Tan Oon Seng

 

Centre Director, Centre for Research in Child Development
Professor, Psychological Studies
Editor-in-Chief, Educational Research for Policy and Practice (ERPP)
Lead Editor, Asia Pacific Journal of Education
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore 

Professor Tan Oon Seng is Centre Director, Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD) at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. He is an inaugural Chen Yidan Visiting Global Fellow of Harvard University. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Education. Professor Tan was previously Director of the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore where he played a significant role in enhancing teacher education and revitalising NIE’s training programmes to raise the image and professionalism of teachers. His many contributions included helping to initiate the Teaching Scholars Programme, enhancing international practicum opportunities for NIE student-teachers; and spearheading technology-enhanced learning and design-thinking infrastructural improvements. His leadership in NIE’s education research proposal helped secure a 25% increase in funding for educational research resulting in a total funding of S$127 million for FY2018-2022. Prof Tan is convener of the World Educational Research Association (WERA) International Research Network on Teacher Education. He has been an Expert Panel Member of the Social Science and Humanities Research for Singapore. He is also an Expert Panel Member of the Tertiary Education Research Funding. Professor Tan was President of the Educational Research Association of Singapore (ERAS, 2005-2008) and President of the Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association (APERA, 2008-2010). He is Editor-in-Chief of the Educational Research for Policy & Practice (ERPP) journal published by Springer. He is also the Lead Editor of the Asia Pacific Journal of Education (APJE) published by Routledge. Professor Tan was previously board director of several key education agencies including the Singapore Exams and Assessment Board (SEAB), Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL), NIE International (NIEI) and the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC). Professor Tan has authored/edited over 20 books and published extensively in the areas of teacher education, cognitive psychology and problem-based learning.Prof Tan was a winner of The Enterprise Challenge (TEC) Innovator Award from the Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore. In 2014, Prof Tan was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Silver) by the President of the Republic of Singapore. He also received the Service to Education award from the Ministry of Education. Prof Tan has been a keynote speaker in major international conferences in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, the Arab states and Southeast Asia. His keynotes include the National Science Foundation (NSF) Education & Human Resource (EHR) Distinguished Lecture in Washington, D.C., American Educational Research Association Annual Meetings presidential sessions, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science international symposium, and international education summits. He has also been a consultant to many global companies as well as government bodies andinternational organisations.

A. Lin Goodwin

Dean and Professor, The Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong 

A. Lin Goodwin is Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, and holds the Evenden Foundation Chair at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is immediate past Vice President of the American Educational Research Association—Division K: Teaching and Teacher Education, and the inaugural Dr. Ruth Wong Professor of Teacher Education at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. In 2015, Dr. Goodwin was honored as a Distinguished Researcher by AERA’s Special Interest Group: Research on the Education of Asian and Pacific Americans. Dr. Goodwin’s research focuses on teacher and teacher educator identities and development; multicultural understandings and curriculum enactments; the particular issues facing Asian/Asian American teachers and students in U.S. schools; and on international analyses/comparisons of teacher education practice and policy. Recent publications include “Who is in the classroom now? Teacher preparation and the education of immigrant children” in Educational Studies, and “Devenir enseignant aux États-Unis: politiques, norms et tensions (Becoming a teacher in the U.S.: Policies, standards and tensions, with J. Snyder) in Revue Internationale D’Èducation-Sèvres).

Her latest book, co-authored with E.L. Low and Linda Darling-Hammond: Empowered educators in Singapore: How high-performing systems shape teaching quality, was recently released by Jossey-Bass. Dr. Goodwin has served as a consultant to a wide variety of organizations including school districts, philanthropic foundations, and higher education institutions, around issues of diversity, educational equity, and teacher education. Her work has taken her to many different countries such as Brazil, Jordan, Mongolia, Latvia, Singapore, China, France, and Bermuda among others, where she has collaborated with local educators to bring about teaching and curriculum reform.

 

 

Eric Hanushek

 

The Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow
Hoover Institution of Stanford University
USA

Eric Hanushek is the Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. He is a leader in the development of economic analysis of educational issues. He has authored numerous, highly cited studies on the effects of class size reduction, high stakes accountability, the assessment of teacher quality, and other education related topics. He introduced the idea of measuring teacher quality through the growth in student achievement that forms the basis for the development of value-added measures for teachers and schools. Most recently, Hanushek shows that the quality of education is closely related to national economic growth.

His latest book, The Knowledge Capital of Nations: Education and the Economics of Growth, identifies the close link between the skills of the people and the economic growth of the nation and shows the economic impact of high quality schools. This analysis is the basis for estimating the economic benefits of a world development standard based on achieving basic skills (Universal Basic Skills: What Countries Stand to Gain). His prior book, Endangering Prosperity: A Global View of the American School, considers the performance of U.S. schools from an international perspective and identifies the costs of not improving student outcomes. In terms of U.S. education policy, Schoolhouses, Courthouses, and Statehouses: Solving the Funding-Achievement Puzzle in America’s Public Schools describes how improved school finance policies can be used to meet our achievement goals. Earlier books include Courting Failure, the Handbook on the Economics of Education (five volumes), The Economics of Schooling and School Quality, Improving America’s Schools, Making Schools Work, Educational Performance of the Poor, and Education and Race. His over 250 scholarly articles on a wide range of education topics are very widely cited both in professional journals and in policy discussions.

He is chairman of the Executive Committee for the Texas Schools Project at the University of Texas at Dallas, a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research, the area coordinator for Economics of Education of the CESifo Research Network, and a research fellow of the IZA Institute of Labor Economics. He recently served as a commissioner on the Equity and Excellence Commission of the U.S. Department of Education. He was chair of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences during 2008-2010 and was Deputy Director of the Congressional Budget Office from 1983-85.

He previously held academic appointments at the University of Rochester, Yale University, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a member of the National Academy of Education and the International Academy of Education along with being a fellow of the Society of Labor Economists and the American Education Research Association. He was awarded the Fordham Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in 2004.

He is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and completed his Ph.D. in economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1965-1974.

Rebecca A. Maynard

 

University Trustee Chair Professor of Education and Social Policy
Emeritus Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
USA

Rebecca Maynard is a leading expert in the design and conduct of randomized controlled trials in the areas of education and social policy. She has conducted influential methodological research, including co-developing PowerUP! to support efficient sample designs for causal inference studies, and she has been influential in advancing the application of research synthesis methods in education and social policy. She designed and directed the University’s Predoctoral Training Program in Interdisciplinary Methods for Field-based Education Research, which served more than 75 Ph.D. students from Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education between 2004 and 2016. From 2010 through 2012, she served as Commissioner of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), where she oversaw the Institute’s evaluation initiatives, the What Works Clearinghouse, the Regional Education Laboratories, and the National Library of Education.

She is a Fellow of the American Education Research Association, an elected member of the Society for Research Synthesis Methodology, and recipient of the Peter H. Rossi Award for Contributions to the Theory and Practice of Program Evaluation (2009) and the Society for Research on Adolescence Social Policy Best Book Award for Kids Having Kids (1998). She also is past President of both the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) and the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness. Prior to joining the University of Pennsylvania faculty in 1993, she was Senior Vice President at Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

 

Christoph Metzger

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Professor in Business Education
Former Dean of the School of Business Administration
University of St. Gallen.
Switzerland

Christoph Metzger studied Business Education at the University of St. Gallen / Switzerland where he got his master degree in 1969 as teacher in Business Education and his PhD in 1972. Between 1973 and 1987 he first taught Business Administration, Economics and Law at a High School and then taught as a Senior Lecturer in Business Education at the University of St. Gallen. In 1985 he finished his habilitation on “Formative Evaluation in Higher Education”. In 1987, after a stay as visiting scholar at the University of Texas in Austin, he became Associate Professor of Business Education and Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen and in 1989 Full Professor in the same field. In St. Gallen he taught courses in Vocational Education, Performance Assessment, Learning Strategies, Didactics of Business Education, Marketing, and Research methods.

From 1993 to 1995 he acted as Dean of the School of Business Administration. From 1988 to 2009 he was also Director of the Institute of Business Education and Educational Management at the same University. Since August 2009 he is Professor emeritus of the University of St. Gallen, since 2011 he is Professor of Business Education at the Steinbeis University in Berlin. He was acting as visiting professor at the universities of Vienna (Austria), Innsbruck (Austria), Göttingen (Germany), Berlin (Humboldt, Germany), Pecs (Hungary) and Zürich (Switzerland).

His main interests and activities in internationally oriented research, development and consulting, also shown by his publications, are in the fields of Vocational Education, Higher Education, Curriculum, Educational Evaluation and Performance Assessment, Learning Strategies, and Teacher Training.

Most recent international activities on research and development, consulting and teaching focusing on Asian compared to Western countries have been:

  • Conference on School-Enterprise Cooperation in Vocational Education, Yantai Vocational College, China: Speaker and expert.
  • Hospitality Program Thailand: Consulting the Ministry of Education.
  • Eight-Nation Education research Project (including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Thailand, USA): Member of the steering committee and leader of the project “A Comparative Study of Educational Systems and Secondary to Postsecondary Transitions in Six Nations”, chair of several conferences.
  • Six-Nation Education Research Project on Education and economic growth (including China, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, USA, Germany): Member of the steering committee and leader of the project “Vocational education and economic growth”, chair of several conferences.
  • Conference on Enhancing Quality and Building the 21st Century Higher Education System, Hiroshima University: Chair and presenter.
  • International Conference on 60 Years of Korean Education, Seoul: Achievements and Challenges: Chair and presenter
  • Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok and SWISS-Asian Institute of Technology-Vietnam Management Development Programme: Teaching, Counseling a doctoral student.

Main publications in English, related to the activities above, have been:

  • Grin, F., Metzger, C. & Grüner, A. (1997). Current Issues in Higher Education. RIHE International Seminar Reports, 10, Academic Reforms in the World: Situation and Perspective in the Massification Stage of Higher Education (pp. 95–126). Hiroshima: Hiroshima University.
  • Metzger, C. (1997). Self-Directed Learning in Continuing Education – a Report from Switzerland. In G.A. Straka (Ed.). European views of self-directed learning: historical, conceptional, empirical, practical, vocational. Münster/New York/München/Berlin: Waxmann. S. 6–25.
  • Metzger, C., Fujita, H., Law, S.S., Zemsky, R., Berset, J.E. & Iannozzi, M. (2001). Different Paths, Similar Pursuits. The Economic and Personal Potential of Vocational Training and Education in an International Context. Six-Nation Education Research Project: Vocational Training and Education. Studies and Reports, 12, St. Gallen: IWP.
  • Metzger, C. (2001, March). Different Paths, similar pursuits. The Economic and Personal Potential of Vocational Training and Education in an International Context. Paper presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society, Washington.
  • Metzger, C., Fujita, H., Law, S. S., Zemsky, R., Berset, J. E. & Iannozzi, M. (2004). Vocational Training and Education. In N. F. McGinn (Ed.). Learning through Collaborative Research. The Six Nation Educational Project (pp. 91–145). New York: RoutledgeFalmer.
  • Metzger, C. (2005). Different Paths, Similar Pursuits: Alternatives to College-Bounded Secondary Education – the Experience of Switzerland. In Korean Educational Development Institute, & Korea Institute of Curriculum & Evaluation (Eds.), International Conference on 60 Years of Korean Education: Achievements and Challenges (pp. 123-137). Seoul: KEDI.
  • Hasanbegovic, J., Zellweger Moser, F. & Metzger, C. (2006). Developing Swiss Students’ Learning Strategies. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 10(4), 90–94.
  • Truong Quang Duoc & Metzger, C. (2007). Quality of business graduates in Vietnamese institutions: multiple perspectives. Journal of Management Development, 26, 629–643.
  • Metzger, C., Daizen, T., Kin-Yuen Ip, K., Maynard, R., Promboon, S. (2007, December). High School to Higher Education Transition: General and Vocational Education – A Comparative Study of the Role of Secondary and Tertiary Education Practices in Six Nations and the Implications for Policy. Paper presented at the First Conference on the Eight Nations Education Research Project, Chingmai, Thailand.
  • Zellweger Moser, F., Hasanbegovic, J. & Metzger, C. (2008). Fostering learning strategies in universities to prepare a self-regulated workforce. International Journal of Human Resources Development and management, 8, 332–345.
  • Metzger, C., Maynard, R., Vultaggio, J., Promboon, S., Daizen, T., Kin-Yuen, I., Park, S. Y. (2009, January). Secondary and Post Secondary Education Systems in 6 Countries. Paper presented at the Asian Social Protection in Comparative Perspective Conference. Singapore.

Rebecca Winthrop

 

Senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education, The Brookings Institution.
USA

Her research focuses on education globally, with special attention to the skills children need to succeed in their lives as workers and citizens. Of particular interest is improving quality learning for the most marginalized children and youth, including girls and children affected by extreme violence. Dr. Winthrop works to promote quality and relevant education, including exploring how education innovations can leapfrog progress. She advises governments, international institutions, foundations, and corporations on education issues, and provides guidance to a number of important education policy actors. Prior to joining The Brookings Institution in June 2009, Dr. Winthrop spent 15 years working in the field of education for displaced and migrant communities. As the head of education for the International Rescue Committee, she was responsible for the organization’s education work in over 20 conflict-affected countries. She has been actively involved in developing the evidence base around and global attention to education in the developing world. In her prior position, she helped develop global policy for the education in emergencies field, especially around the development of global minimum standards for education in contexts of armed conflict and state fragility. Winthrop has authored numerous articles, reports, books, and book chapters, including most recently Leapfrogging Inequality: Remaking Education to Help Young People Thrive with Adam Barton and Eileen McGivney. Other recent publications include: Millions Learning: Scaling Up Quality Education in Developing Countries with Jenny Perlman Robinson; What Works in Girls’ Education: Evidence for the World’s Best Investment with Gene B. Sperling; and Why Wait 100 Years? Bridging the gap in global education with Eileen McGivney. Her work has been featured in the BBC, Newsweek, Time Ideas, NPR, Economist, and The Financial Times, among others. She was educated at Columbia University, Teachers College (Ph.D., 2008), Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (MA, 2001), and Swarthmore College, (BA, 1996).

Tiantian Jin

 

Organizing Team
CHINA

Dr. Tiantian Jin is a conscientious leader with fierce passion and a pioneering spirit for education. She received advanced training in scientific research at Columbia University, graduating with a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science in Education and a Master’s degree in Learning Analytics. She believes that the true destination of research resides in its application to boost learning effectiveness and make rapid impacts on learners in real life, instead of numbers on research papers. This cannot be achieved merely through academic training. Accordingly, while still at school, she had vigorously started to develop professional skills and broaden her horizon in various types of organizations, such as an EdTech start-up and the New York Times, to search for innovative solutions to education.

After graduation, Tiantian joined Pearson, the largest global education company, as a Senior Teaching & Learning Design Researcher. She led all types of research and used evidence to develop cutting-edge educational solutions. Her current research focuses on how to help students develop 21st-century skills and employability, and how to apply emerging technology to the authentic learning experience. The ultimate goal of all her work is to help students be well prepared for new challenges when they step out of campus and become successful lifelong learners.

 

Andreas Schleicher

 

Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
FRANCE

Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills, and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

As a key member of the OECD Senior Management team, Mr. Schleicher supports the Secretary-General’s strategy to produce analysis and policy advice that advances economic growth and social progress. He promotes the work of the Directorate for Education and Skills on a global stage and fosters co-operation both within and outside the OECD. In addition to policy and country reviews, the work of the Directorate includes the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), and the development and analysis of benchmarks on the performance of education systems (INES).

Before joining the OECD, Mr. Schleicher was Director for Analysis at the International Association for Educational Achievement (IEA). He studied Physics in Germany and received a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in Australia. He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the “Theodor Heuss” prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for “exemplary democratic engagement”. He holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Heidelberg.


 

Khunying Sumonta Promboon

 

President & Associate Professor
Chitralada Technology College
THAILAND

Birth Date and Place : March 27, 1946 , Ratchaburi, Thailand
Education : B.A. (Zoology), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
M.S. (Genetics), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Ph.D. (Genetics), University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Present Positions:
• President of Chitralada Technology College
• Member of the National Legislative Assembly
• Member of the Board of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation
• Member of the Council s of King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi , Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi and Chitralada Technology College
• Member of the Board of the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology

Experiences :
• President of Srinakharinwirot University (1997 – 2003)
• Chair of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (1999 – 2001)
• Vice President for Academic Affairs, Srinakharinwirot University(1993 – 1999)
• Dean of the Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot Universi ty (1983 – 1987)
• Asian Development Bank education specialist in Lao PDR (1992 – 1993).
• President of the Science Society of Thailand (2004 – 2007)
• Member of the Board of the National Science Museum (2005 – 2007)
• President of the Education Society of Thailand (2002 – 2006)
• Chair of the Board of Mahidol Wittayanusorn Science School (2013 – 2016) .
• Chair of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education (2013 – 2017)

Awards and Honors:
• Honorary Doctoral Degrees in Educational Administration (Srinakhari nwirot U, 2010), Biotechnology (King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 2009) , Science (Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, 2013) , and Leadership in Education and Human Resource Development (Rajabaht Chiangmai University, 2015)
• Outstandin g Science Teacher Award of the Science Society of Thailand (1996)
• Outstanding Civil Service Administrator of the Civil Service Association of Thailand (1999)
• Outstanding Government Scholarship Grantee Award of the Association of the Government Scholarship Grantees of Thailand (2007).
• Outstanding Thai Woman of the National Women Council of Thailand (2013)
Specialization:
• Biology, Biotechnology
• Science and technology education
• Education, Gifted education

 

Bentley Zhao

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
New Empire Corp
USA

Bentley Zhao is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of New Empire Corp. He studied both architecture and economics at the City College of New York and Baruch College, respectively. After concluding his education, he entered the industry of real estate development. Bentley has been engaged in architecture, engineering, general contracting, and construction supplies since the year 2000. Bentley is the second-generation leader of the 1997-founded New Empire, which was established by his father. Bentley became CEO of New Empire in 2004 and has since lead the company to new heights. Over the years, he has expanded the team and applied his expertise and experience in numerous areas, including the design, construction, and management of multifamily residences, office buildings, commercial structures, industrial buildings, rental apartment complexes, and mixed-use apartment complexes. The company has completed more than 120 residential and hotel property initiatives as of 2023. Professional recognition: • 2017: Outstanding Asian-American Businessperson Award • 2017: Outstanding Citizen of the Brooklyn Community Award • 2017: Building New York City Business Community Award • 2017: Outstanding Business Leader Award • 2018: Star Entrepreneur Under 40 Award • 2018: Presidential Award: Lifetime Achievement Award • 2019: Joined the Stars and Stripes Democratic Organization • 2020: New York City Council Recognition •2020: New York State Assembly Recognition • 2020: Congressional Recognition Certificate from United States Congressman Max Rose • 2020: Real Estate Entrepreneur (New York State Assembly Excellence Award) • 2020: Certificate of Recognition from Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams • 2022: Outstanding Real Estate Development Award from the Chinese Association of Construction Professionals (CACP) • 2023: New York State Assembly Recognition • 2023: American Dream Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Republican State Committee Honorary titles in professional fields • Honorary Professor at Huali College, Guangdong University of Technology • Executive Vice President of the Youth Association of Jiangmen, China • Executive Vice President of the American Hotel Real Estate Association • President of the Real Estate Division of the American Hotel Real Estate Association • Chairman of the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Federation • Director of Sing Tao Daily (listed company 1105:HK) • Committee Member of Forum for World Education FWE • Board member of young leaders for FWE

Ellen Qian

 

Chief Business Development Officer
New Empire Corp
Managing Director
One Realty Global
USA

 

Dr. Ellen Qian is a versatile professional with a rich background in healthcare and business. Holding a doctoral degree from the University of Utah, she has over six years of experience as a family healthcare provider, currently serving as the Office Medical Director at family health practice clinic, where she leads the team in delivering top-notch care and services while managing business operations. In the realm of real estate, Dr. Qian excels as the Managing Director at One Realty Global, handling exclusive listings of projects valued at over $400million. Additionally, her role as Chief New Business Development Officer at New Empire Corp. for the past three years highlights her skills in identifying new business opportunities, maintaining client relationships, and coordinating with sales teams to forge beneficial proposals. Dr. Qian’s diverse expertise reflects her ability to seamlessly integrate her medical knowledge with her business acumen, making her an exceptional asset in various sectors.

 

Lizhong Yu

 

Chancellor
Shanghai New York University
CHINA

Dr. Lizhong Yu is the Chancellor of NYU Shanghai. Before then, he was the president of East China Normal University from 2006 to 2012, and the president of Shanghai Normal University from 2003 to 2005, serving in higher education administration for more than 20 years. He got his B.Sc. degree at East China Normal University in 1982, and Ph.D. degree at University of Liverpool, UK in 1989. His main research interests include Environmental Magnetism, Environmental Changing and Sustainable Development. He won 7 awards from Ministry of Education in China or Shanghai Municipal Government and published over 180 refereed papers in international or national journals. Dr. Yu has been actively involved in international cooperation of both research and higher education. He was UNESCO Chair Holder for Teacher Education, received the Honorary Degree of Doctor at Montclair State University (USA), ENS Lettres et sciences humaines (France), University of Loughborough (UK) and University of Liverpool (UK)，respectively, and been awarded Legion of Honor, Chivalric order by French Government. Dr. Yu is the co-chairman of Chinese Geography Association, chairman of Geographic Education Group of Chinese Education Society, chairman of Shanghai Science Promotion Committee for Youth and senior adviser of Shanghai Association of Science and Technology.

 

Beth Yu

 

Executive Secretary-General & Board Member
Jack Ma Foundation
Board Member
Alibaba Foundation
CHINA

I have joined the Jack Ma Foundation on March 2015 right after the foundation registered the first staff. With the strategic instruction from the founder, Chairman of Alibaba Group, I started from deep investigation and needs assessment and designed and launched a series of Rural Education Support Program including: Jack Ma Rural Teacher Initiative, Jack Ma Rural Headmaster Initiative, Jack Ma Pre-service Teacher Initiative and the Rural Boarding School Program. I also built up a professional team of 23 full time staff. We work closely with media, volunteers, and governments as well as other partners while leveraging resources to achieve the results and impact the program. We also launched three international programs in different countries. The foundation is ranked in the Top 10 foundations and gained awards from government and charitable sectors.

2005.05.-2015.03 Secretary-General,
Bright China Foundation, Beijing
Bright China Foundation, Hong Kong
Bright China Entrepreneurship Training Center
2003-2005, Business Director, Beijing Hi-Key Technology Corp
2001.05 -2003.05 Project Manager, The Adventist Development and Relief Agency
(ADRA, China)

 

Yung-hsiang Ying

 

Executive Vice President
National Taiwan Normal University
TAIWAN

Professor Yung-hsiang (Frank) Ying, graduated from the University of Kentucky, is a Ph.D. in Economics with research interests including International Finance, Macroeconomics, Political Economics, and Health Economics. After teaching a year at Colgate University in the United States, he went to Kaohsiung, Taiwan and became a faculty member at National Sun Yat-sen University for many years.

He then joined National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in 2012. Over his career, he has had administrative experiences in various positions including department chairs, Director of Poll Center, Vice President for International Affairs, executive member of Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association, board member of Asia-Pacific Association for International Education, and Dean of College of Management. Now he is the Executive Vice President at NTNU.

Through his career, he has been devoted to promote internationalization of universities by advocating students studying abroad, engaging faculty members in multiple-countries research teams, and hosting symposiums with partner universities.

 

Cheng-Chih Wu

 

President
National Taiwan Normal University
TAIWAN

Cheng-Chih Wu received the B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees in industrial education from National Taiwan Normal University and the Ph.D. degree in (computer) science education from The University of Texas at Austin. He is currently a distinguished professor in the Graduate Institute of Information and Computer Education, National Taiwan Normal University. His research interests include K-12 computing curriculum, e-Learning, and ICT-integrated learning. He has been playing a key role in Taiwan’s K-12 computing education, including leading the task forces for developing national ICT master plan, chairing the national K-12 computing curriculum revising committee, and serving as the principal investigator of Intel Education programs in Taiwan. He was the chairperson of the Department of Information and Computer Education (now a graduate institute), director of Information Technology Center, and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Executive Vice President in National Taiwan Normal University, and is now President of the university.

 

Edith Shih

 

Executive Director & Company Secretary
CK Hutchison Holdings Limited
HONG KONG

Edith Shih is Executive Director and Company Secretary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, a Fortune 500 conglomerate based in Hong Kong operating in over 50 countries with annual revenues and market capitalization of about US$50 billion. The CK Hutchison group comprises 11 listed companies listed on 6 exchanges with total market capitalization of about US$100 billion. She has been with the Group for almost 30 years, overseeing legal, regulatory, corporate finance, corporate governance and compliance matters of the Group. From 1993 to 2017, she was the Head Group General Counsel of CK Hutchison at which she headed a team of over 230 lawyers and 60 company secretarial executives, stationed in 20 countries. She also acts as director and company secretary for a number of CK Hutchison companies, including listed companies in Hong Kong, London, Australia, Singapore and New York.

The CK Hutchison legal and corporate secretariat team has won numerous awards over the years. Shih herself is the first recipient of the Hong Kong In-House Lawyer of the Year Award of Asian Legal Business in 2006, an award which she won for a second time in 2016. She is also the first recipient of the Asian Woman in Business Law Award of the Legal Media Group in 2011 and recipient of General Counsel of the Year (Asia-Pacific Counsel Awards) of International Law Offices in 2014. In 2017, she was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by Transformative Leadership Awards.

A stern proponent of good corporate governance, she spends considerable time and effort on inculcating and promoting high standards of corporate governance and ethics in the corporate world and the community. She is the current International President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and past president of the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries. She regularly participates in conferences and seminars organized by universities and institutes as speaker, panelist and presenter locally and internationally.

Shih holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Music) and Master of Arts degree (Education) from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages and Master of Education degree in Applied Linguistics from Columbia University, New York. She is a graduate of the University of Law in London and is qualified to practice law in Hong Kong, England and Wales and Victoria, Australia. She is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries. She was awarded the Alumni Award for Distinguished Services by Columbia University in 1993. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Open University of Hong Kong (2015) and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Management Association (2016). In addition, she is an honorary professor of Shantou University.

Selected Current professional and public service appointments include:
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)
– International President
– Chairman of Thought Leadership Committee
– Member of Executive Committee
– Council Member
Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS)
– Chairman of Nomination committee
– Chairman of Company Secretaries Panel
– Chairman of Institute Naming Group
– Mentor of students, graduates and members
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
– Chairman of Governance Committee
– Chairman of Remuneration Committee
– Member of Audit Professional Reform Advisory Group
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
– Member
Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme Vetting Committee
– Member
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
– Member of Hong Kong Europe Business Council
Hong Kong Financial Reporting Council
– Member of Process Review Panel
Hong Kong Management Association
– Member of Executive Council
– Chairman of the General Management Committee
– Member Systems and Internal Audit Sub-Committee
Hong Kong University
– Member of MBA Advisory Board
Columbia University
– Mentor of Columbia Experience Overseas Programme
Columbia University Alumni Association Hong Kong
– Advisor Emeritus
Columbia University, Teachers College
– Member of the Board of Trustees
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
– Member of the Council
– Member of Human Resources Committee
Hong Kong Baptist University
– Member of the Master of Arts in Global Society Advisory Committee

Selected Past public services
Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries
– President: 2011-2014, Vice-President: 2009-2011, Chairman of Education Committee: 2008-2011, Member of Audit Committee: 2012-2015, Member of Membership Committee: 2006-2008
Standing Committee on Companies Law Reform
– Member: 2007-2012
Listing Committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited
– Member: 2009-2012, Member Corporate Governance Committee: 2010-2012
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
– Member: 2007-2013 (lay member appointment by HK Government)
– Member: Audit Committee: 2009-2011
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
– Member of Constitutional Affairs Committee: 2014-2017
Columbia University
– Member of the President’s International Advisory Council: 2005-2007
Columbia University Teachers College
– Member of the President’s Advisory Council: 2009-2011
Hong Kong Coalition of Professional Services
– Director: 2015-2017
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
– Member of Organising Committee of Asia finance Forum: 2015, 2106, 2017
– Member of Professional Services Advisory Committee: 2014-2018
Hong Kong Art Centre
– Member of Finance Committee: 2005-2015

Publications
– “A Day in the Life of a General Counsel” in Leadership and Management Challenges of In-house Legal Counsel published by LexisNexis
– HKICS Anti-Money Laundering and Counter – Terrorist Financing Guidelines
– Guidance note on Connected Transactions – A Practical Guide to Good Governance
– Research Project on “Risk Management – Looking at the New Normal in Hong Kong” conducted by HKICS and KPMG.
– Guide on Directors’ Induction
– Guidance Note on Competition Law
– The Essential Company Secretary

Non-exhaustive list of lectures delivered locally and abroad
2008
– A Practitioner’s Notes to Directors’ and Shareholders’ Meeting
– China’s Anti-trust Regime
– Internal Control and Risk Management – What for and How? A Conglomerate’s Perspective
2009
– Not the smartest nor the most well-planned – will I ever be successful?
– 內部控制與風險管控體系
– Looking for a Title
– International Tax Planning: The New Decade
2010
– Corporate Governance Briefings
– Backdrop: The New Decade
– 內部控制與風險管理 – 環球綜合企業之體系及實踐
– Someone Ought to Know and Explain What’s Going On – The Role of the Company-Secretary in Disclosure and Transparency
– Life on the Frontline: Dos and Don’ts in Stakeholder Communication
– Digital Business – The Changing Nature Of The Business Environment
2011
– Corporate Governance: Can One Size Fit All?
2012
– I Really Want This Job – CV and Interview Preparation
– Are You Ready? The Corporate Governance Code is Here!
– 和記黃埔集團法律報告:良好法律報告的「3E」及企業管治合規檢討
2013
– Requirements for a Hong Kong listing
– The Tripartite Partnership Going Forward: Formulating a New Paradigm for Long Term Vibrancy – Invigorating Trilateral Investment Flows: a Case Study of a Hong Kong Investor
– 董事成員多樣化
2014
– Over the Rainbow
– ESG Reporting For a Hong Kong Conglomerate
2015
– Risk Management Reform for Hong Kong Listed Companies: Trendsetting for Asia?
– 跨越彩虹
– The Magic Pencil
– Chartered Secretary
– Top hats, berets, cowboy hats and helmets – How Many Hats Are There?
– 公司秘書/董事會秘書之專業資格核心治理職責與行業發展
2016
– 香港企業管治實務及運作
– Management and Corporate Governance – Hands on or Handcuffed? The Gatekeeper to Uncuff the Chains?
– 公司治理解除束縛的把關者?
– The M & M & M of Company Secretaries Director’s Meeting
– The M & M & M of Company Secretaries Shareholder’s Meeting
– The M & M & M of Company Secretaries Minutes and Resolutions
2017
– ICSA: The New Initiatives
– Asian Companies: Targetting the Right Overseas Acquisition and Getting the Deal Done
2018
– ICSA Malaysia: Company Secretary – the Gatekeeper
– ICSA Southern Africa – Uncuffing the Chains
– ICSA Zimbabwe – the International Institute Impetus

Community Service:
– Since 1984: Church deacon, pianist, organist, choir member
– Since 1984: Po Leung Kuk children sponsor
– Since 1989: Helping Hand, Executive Committee and Honorary Legal Advisor
– Since 1994: Hong Kong Oratorio Society, first soprano and soloist

 

Tian Ming Sheu

 

Professor
National Taiwan Normal University
President
National Academy for Educational Research
TAIWAN

Tian Ming Sheu is Professor of Educational Policy and Administration at National Taiwan Normal University where he has taught since 2006. In August 2016, Professor Tian Ming Sheu was appointed President of the National Academy for Educational Research (NAER) in Taiwan, which serves primarily as a national research institute, responsible for long-term, integrated and systematic research, for developing government policies. He will be leading educational reform in Taiwan, with particular focus on underserved populations. He has previously served as Chair, Department of Education; Director, Graduate Institute of Educational Policy and Administration; Director, Graduate Institute of Curriculum & Instruction; Director, Center for Educational Research and Evaluation, NTNU in 2010, and Dean of the College of Education in 2013.

 

Susan K. Sclafani

 

Founder, Susan Sclafani Consulting
Former Assistant Secretary of Education
USA

iSusan K. Sclafani is a creative, high-energy, accomplished leader, manager, collaborator, and organizer in the educational arena at the local, state, national and international levels.

Guest Professor, Institute of International and Comparative Education, Beijing Normal University and Member of The Academic Committee, Mingyuan Institute of Education as of April, 2018.

Vice President for Program Management, Pearson and Vice President for Programs, Pearson Foundation 2010-2016

As Vice President for Program Management at Pearson, Dr. Sclafani organized and managed the development of the Pearson System of Courses, a digital K-12 curriculum in English Language Arts and Mathematics aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
•Organized the schedule and production for the curriculum development project, including curriculum for the digital environment, assessments, teacher guides and supplemental materials, and professional development.
•Provided regular interface between the curriculum development team and the technology, curriculum and project management teams at Pearson.
•Assured that deadlines were met for completion of curriculum and assessments on time and within a budget of $39 million.
•Developed research-based reports for teachers and curriculum leaders.
•Worked with and trained Pearson sales and marketing professionals on differentiating Pearson’s first digital product from traditional paper-driven products.
•Organized advisory committees of nationally known experts in English 
Language Arts and Mathematics and arranged meetings to gather ideas and responses to draft curriculum products.
•Successfully managed the California adoption process for Mathematics 
curricula in 2013 and English language arts curricula in 2015, ensuring that all CCSS standards were effectively addressed in curriculum, teacher guides, instructional materials and professional development.
Vice President for Programs at The Pearson Foundation 
 •Researched principles of development for curriculum and professional development for Common Core related resources.
•Organized meetings and a summer conference for 400 teachers and administrators to gather requirements and specifications for curriculum and professional development.
•Consulted with national organizations to ensure alignment with national assessments and resources available.

Director of State Services at the National Center on Education and the Economy 2008-10
•Directed the implementation planning and services for work with members of the State Consortium on Board Examination Systems.
•Advised state departments on curriculum and instructional strategies to improve high school student performance.
•Arranged seminars for state leaders with national experts in assessment and early childhood education.
•Worked with OECD and NCEE on writing Strong Performers and Successful Reformers
•Worked with OECD on writing Evaluating and Rewarding the Quality of T eaching.
•Served on OECD Committee for Improving Education in Mexico.

Managing Director at Chartwell Education Group 2005-2008
•Arranged and led international benchmarking trips to Singapore and China for chief state school officers.
•Provided strategic advice and services to school districts, state departments of education, educational organizations and associations, educational corporations, and governmental entities in the United States and abroad, on issues related to improving student achievement, arts education, high school redesign, mathematics and science initiatives, and international education.
•Developed detailed development plan for a liberal arts university in India. Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education 2003-05
•Led the development of programs and research projects for vocational and adult education.
•Worked with staff to effectively plan and monitor programs with state departments.
•Mobilized effective and scientifically-based state and local high school reform initiatives through the Preparing America’s Future Initiative.
•Supported America’s community colleges with grants and programs.
•Managed a budget of $2 billion.
Counselor to the U.S. Secretary of Education 2001-2003
•Worked with the Secretary of Education to review policies and programs.
•Reviewed projects and organizations seeking the Secretary’s support and advised further study or action.
•Established and led the national Mathematics and Science Initiative to improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching and learning.
•Established and led the US/China on-line language learning program, CHENGO, with the Chinese Ministry of Education.
• Established the English-speaking coalition of nations at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Education Committee

Chief of Staff for Educational Services for the Houston Independent School District 1992-2001
•Coordinated the administration of all educational services to schools and departments of the 210,000 student school district.
•Supervised research, evaluation, assessment, school administration, school board office, and community relations departments.
•Oversaw the operations of the Office of the Superintendent of Schools and referrals to Superintendent’s Cabinet members.
•Acted as liaison to institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and museums.
•Coordinated strategic planning and accountability for district improvement.
•Supervised technology and information systems for the district, including 
design of $10 million wide-area network system.
•Led the development and implementation of the district’s $15 million Urban Systemic Initiative grant from the National Science Foundation.

Service
Board Member, Character Education Partnership, Washington, DC Board Member, Bernard Harris Foundation, Houston, TX 
Board Member, Executive Committee member, Secretary, and Program Committee chairperson, Longview Foundation, Washington, DC 
Committee Member, National Academies of Science and Engineering Committee on A Skilled Technical Workforce

Education
Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, Education Administration Ed.M. The University of Texas at Austin, Education Administration AM University of Chicago, Germanic Languages and Literature AB Vassar College, German and Mathematics 
Graduate of the Cooperative Superintendency Program, a Texas Leadership Development Program 
Graduate of Superintendents Prepared Program, An Urban Leadership Development Consortium 
Participant in the Harvard University Institute of School Leadership Certification as Main Event Management Model-Netics Associate and Co-developer and instructor of the MEM Management Course for Principals.

Varnnee Chearavanont Ross

 

Founder & Director
Concordian International School
THAILAND

Concordian International School is a Nursery to Grade 12 IB World School located in Bangkaew, Samutprakarn, Thailand. It is one of only four IB Schools in Thailand offering the full range of IB programs – PYP, MYP, and DP.

Concordian International School was founded by Mrs. Varnnee Chearavanont Ross, currently serves as Founder and Director, in August 2001 with 33 students and it is now educating more than 922 students, within the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization programs. Concordian is the only fully trilingual international school in Thailand using the IB program with English, Chinese, and Thai as the main languages of instruction. In the Early Years and Primary Years programs, students learn in an English-Chinese Immersion Program.

Concordian International School is a private international school, and is a member of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) and the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS). It is also fully accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).

The school mission is to promote academic excellence while nurturing young people to become responsible, moral and intellectual leaders, people of dignity, integrity, and compassion, who want to make a difference in the world.

Varnnee founded Concordian as an educational institution in 2001 and worked with top linguistic educators from many parts of the world. She created a unique innovative English-Chinese immersion program at Concordian. The learning of 3 languages simultaneously has proven to be a benefit in our students’ lifelong learning.

She encourages her students to participate in community service. She has joined Concordian’s school build project every year since its inception that is frequently located in remote hill tribe areas. We help to upgrade or build new facilities for less fortunate schools’ grounds. She also participated in school build trips with The Build Foundation annually in the hill tribes areas aiming to give an education opportunity to those in need.

Varnnee also sponsors many deserving students by offering scholarship to attend Concordian and university to help them and their families; she does this with the hope that these students will be the future leaders with morality, intellect, integrity and compassion and will make a positive difference to other lives.

In order to earn a Concordian Diploma, all students must participate in community service. Some of these community service projects must be developed and implemented by the students themselves. However, others involve the whole community including parents, teachers, staff, and students. One in particular is a tree planting program in which the Concoridan community completes yearly tree planting trips to a degraded forest in Khao Yai National Park. Reforestation of this area will enable to have sufficient food for the wildlife and to recover the ecosystem. This program has existed at Concordian for 8 years. The planting area has been successfully recovered and more wildlife has returned to that area after having sufficient food. As a result of these efforts, the community and Khun Varnnee are responsible for the reforestation of 400 rai of National Park land.
The things she is most proud of are being the Concordian educators and management team that innovated the only trilingual English, Chinese and Thai immersion program under IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program) in the world, and builds knowledge, ethical and compassionate leadership to Concordian students, with academic excellence, resulting in students graduating from top universities around the world. Her son also attended this school as one of the founding students who graduated from Concordian and recently graduated from King’s College London. Forty percent of our students could attend a world top 100 university. She is hopefully making a positive difference in the lives of her students at Concordian and hopefully these students will make a positive impact to society as leaders in whatever field they choose and wherever they are.

Varnnee’s achievement has earned her and Concordian International School several awards in national and international levels. Concordian International school was honored with the award “Ethical School” from the Dr. Thiam Chokwatana Ethical Schools Network in 2012, while Varnnee was honored with the title of “Ethical Thai Female Teacher” in the following year. In addition, she was awarded with the title of “the Role Model of the Education Industry” from the Foundation of Science and Technology Council of Thailand in 2013 and 2015. She was also honored with the award “Founder’s Alumni” from alma mater (high school), Ojai Valley School, California, USA. In 2018, Varnnee received the “Outstanding ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Award” from ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Thailand and had an opportunity to be an honorable keynote speaker at Thailand Social Expo 2018, Bangkok, Thailand, by the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, under the theme “Women’s Empowerment: Moving Towards Thailand’s Economics and Society”

Lastly, Varnnee founded Concordian and devoted herself for the past 20 years by including values within the curriculum to expose students to community service to serve others as well as self-initiative projects as part of the school requirements throughout the years at Concordian with the hope to build the young leaders with responsibility, moral, intellect, integrity and compassion to make a difference and a positive impact on others’ lives, society and the world.

 

Jun Pan

 

Vice President & CEO, Fazheng Group
Chairperson, Beijing Royal Charity Foundation, P. R. China
FWE Steering Committee Vice President
CHINA

PAN Jun (潘军) is the co-founder of Fazheng Group and a core member of the Board of Directors. She is responsible for the implementation of major business decisions and policies, actively promotes and leads the Group’s strategic transformation and business upgrading. With her entrepreneurship, Fazheng Group has forged its way in education and healthcare, successfully built Beijing Royal School, the first private K-12 international school in China, and Beijing Royal Integrative Medicine Hospital, the first private 3-A comprehensive hospitals in Beijing. Her commitment to improve corporate governance and internal management structures has empowered the Group to rise as a leader and pacesetter in a rapidly growing market.

In order to achieve greater international impact, Fazheng Group under her leadership has aligned its development plans with the Belt and Road Initiative. In addition, the Group has set up international offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts in the United States; London in the United Kingdom, Paris in France, and Rangoon in Myanmar. It is also prepared to establish new schools in the United States. Fazheng Group has forged strategic partnership with UNESCO, UN Women and other international organizations to promote equity in education, gender equality, and life-long learning.

In addition, Ms. PAN is committed to public welfare, and has created Beijing Royal Charity Foundation (BRCF), an organization focused on promoting equity and innovation in education, bringing up global citizens who think globally and act locally. Being the Chairwoman of BRCF, she gives constant support to cutting-edge research projects in education and works to leverage information technology to implement China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy. Under her leadership, the BRCF funded mobile learning projects were selected by UNESCO as one of the world’s best projects in mobile learning.

Meanwhile, she is actively engaged in industry research and think tanks development. Ms. PAN built Research Institute of International Education South-South Cooperation in partnership with the Council for Promoting South-South Cooperation. Since 2017, she has published a series of research papers, including five blue books on Chinese International Schools, and three reports on Education for International Understanding.

 

Stuart N. McCutcheon

 

Vice-Chancellor & Professor
University of Auckland
NEW ZEALAND

Professor McCutcheon completed his Bachelor’s degree with first class honours at Massey University in 1976, and was then appointed to the lecturing staff of that university while undertaking a Ph.D. in metabolic physiology. From 1982 to 1984 he was a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University, New York, while the recipient of a Harkness Fellowship. His research interests included how biological processes such as foetal and neonatal growth and lactation are regulated. He was appointed Head of the Department of Animal Science at Massey University in 1990, Assistant Vice- Chancellor (Research) in 1994, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 1999.

In November 2000, Professor McCutcheon was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington. On 1 January 2005 he took up the position of Vice- Chancellor of The University of Auckland. He also chairs the University’s research commercialisation company, Auckland UniServices Limited.

Professor McCutcheon has served in an advisory capacity to a number of Government agencies and producer boards, and been a director or board member of: the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute; the Wellington Regional Economic Development Trust; the Wellington College of Education; the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research; Universitas 21, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and the Worldwide Universities Network; The University of Auckland Foundation; the UK and US Friends of The University of Auckland; Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED); and the Kings School Trustees Board. He was Chair of Universities New Zealand from 2004-5 and 2017-18.

 

Francisca Melia

 

Lawyer
Expert in public affairs
SPAIN

Francisca Melia is a European public affairs expert with over two decades international government affairs and industrial strategy’ experience, mostly in highly regulated sectors (energy, transport, engineering). She has extensive experience creating strategies to maximize the ability to influence, develop alliances and private-private/ public-private partnerships, generating trust and long-term stakeholder relationships in cross cultural environments.

She has a Law degree by the University of Navarra (Spain), a Magister in European Law by the University of Saarland (Germany) and followed Postgraduate Studies in International and Comparative Law at the Karl-Franzens Universität, Graz, Austria.

She has been Finance Law Assistant Professor at the University of Navarra and has taught Public Affairs, Strategy and Advocacy at Master Degree level at the prestigious IE Business School Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, Spain. She has been for a number of years pro-bono advisor to the Royal Spanish Engineering Association.

She has been interested in gender issues for over two decades and has been founder and member of the Board of NDSC Professional Women Association- Spain; Board member of “Professional Women International“ (PWI), Brussels; member of Woman in Energy Network (Brussels) and of the European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA).

As a trained Coach and mother of two teenagers, she is passionate about developing people’s innate potentials and long-life learning. She speaks five languages (Spanish, German, English, French and Dutch) and has lived, studied and worked in European cities such as Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Saarbrücken, München, Graz, Vienna, Brussels, Mechelen, Castellón, Pamplona, Valencia and Madrid.

 

Samuel T. Lundquist

 

Vice Dean
Wharton External Affairs
University of Pennsylvania
USA

Sam is the Vice Dean for External Affairs at the Wharton School where he serves as chief
development and engagement officer by leading 100 staff to maximize affinity and fundraising for the School. He previously was Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations at
Bucknell University, where he worked from 2006 to 2010. His development experience also
includes working as Assistant Vice President for Development and Campaign Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania between 2000 and 2006.

Sam served from 1999 to 2000 as the Managing Director of Administrative Services in the Wharton School Graduate Division where he had overall supervision of the MBA admissions, financial aid and career management offices at the School. He was the Wharton Dean’s Office first Chief of Staff from 1996 to 1999.

Sam’s worked as an undergraduate and graduate admissions officer earlier in his career. He served as Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton from 1992 to 1996. He also worked as Director of MBA Admissions at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School from 1987 to 1992. Prior to working at Tuck, he was Associate Director of Admissions at Wharton from 1985 to 1987 and at Bucknell University from 1981 to 1985. Sam, a native of Philadelphia, is a
graduate of Denison University where he studied psychology.

 

Ee Ling Low

 

Dean & Teacher of Education
National Institute of Education
Nanyang Techno-logical University
SINGAPORE

Professor LOW Ee Ling is the Dean of Teacher Education at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). She is also a Professor of Education (Applied Linguistics and Teacher Learning) at the English Language & Literature Academic Group. She is a member of the NIE Senior Leadership Team and an elected member of the NTU Senate (2014 – 2018).

Her recent appointments include: Chief Planning Officer (2017 – 2018), Head of Strategic Planning and Academic Quality (2014 – 2017), She has played a leading role in the conceptualization of the following strategic documents for NIE, Singapore: NIE Moving Forward: Towards 2017 Strategic Roadmap and Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21): A Blueprint for Teacher Education in Singapore (2009).

She obtained her PhD in Linguistics (Acoustic Phonetics) from Cambridge University, UK under the NIE/NTU Overseas Graduate Scholarship award. She was awarded the Advanced Fulbright Research Scholarship which she spent at the Lynch School of Education at Boston College.
Her most recent book publications include “Empowered Educators in Singapore: How High – Performing Systems Shape Teaching Quality” (co – authored with Prof Lin A. Goodwin and Prof Linda Darling – Hammond) and “Lee Kuan Yew’s Educational Legacy: The Challenges of Success” (co – edited with Prof Tan Oon Seng and Prof David Hung).

She is Singapore’s representative on the Stanford University International Teacher Policy Study and the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Global Education Innovation Initiative (GEII) projects .

She is also Singapore’s representation on the Education 2030 initiative by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and served as an international expert in the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) Initial Teacher Preparation study for Wales and Australia. In 2012, she was awarded the Public Administration (Bronze) medal by the President of the Republic of Singapore in recognition of her dedication and commitment to furthering the cause of education.

 

Ping Li

 

Founder
Ningxia Tongda New Energy Group Co., Ltd

Ms. Li Ping founded Ningxia Tongda New Energy Group Co., Ltd. in 1990. At present, the group company has developed into a diversified enterprise group mainly including coal mining, coal washing, coal logistics, coal chemical industry, real estate, and international trade. The company is mainly engages with coal, coke, iron ore, rare metals, coal gas and coal chemical related products. It has more than 3,000 employees and its annual tax paying amount is more than 60 million yuan. In 2015, it ranked 24th among the “Top 100 Enterprises” in Ningxia. The company has donated more than 30 million yuan in the past more than 20 years since it’s established.

The Chairperson of the Board Li Ping is the current Chairperson of the Presidium of the China Entrepreneur Thought Club, Chairperson of the China International Multinational Corporation Promotion Association, and Director of the International Business Promotion Association. She has participated in the APEC Business Leaders Summit as a representative of the business community for several consecutive years and has accompanied the leaders of the country many times to participate in high-end foreign affairs and business activities. In March 2012, Chairperson Li Ping, as a member of the China Entrepreneurship Thought Club, visited Cambodia with President Hu Jintao and received cordial meet with President Hu Jintao.

After more than 20 years of diligent entrepreneurship and honest dedication, Li Ping, the chairperson of board of the company, has been widely praised by all sectors of society. The company she led has been awarded various honorary titles by the governments of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region for many times. She has also been elected as a member of Standing Committee of the Shizuishan People’s Congress, member of the municipal CPPCC, Vice President of the Shizuishan Municipal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and She has also been awarded multiple times by the governments at all levels, such as “Model Workers”, “The First Builders of Outstanding Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the Autonomous Region”, “March-eighth Red Flag Bearers”, “National Women’s Model of Achievements” and “Top Ten Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs in Ningxia”, “China’s Outstanding Female Entrepreneurs”, and other honorary titles.

 

Dongmei Kong

 

President
Dongrun Foundation
CHINA

President of Beijing Mao Culture Media Company. Doctoral student of Journalism at Peking University. After graduating with a
Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Beihang University in 1996, Kong participated in the founding of Taikang Life Insurance Company. She studied as a graduate student at University of Pennsylvania in 1999, founded Beijing Mao Culture Media Company in 2001, and established Dongrun Foundation in 2015.

Ani Kharajian

 

Senior Portfolio Director
Executive Education
Harvard Business School
USA

Ani L. Kharajian is Senior Portfolio Director at Harvard Business School Executive Education with extensive on the ground experience in large global markets.

Ani has led market entry strategy and oversight for Latin America, Africa, China and India for Executive Education. Working closely with faculty thought partners, stakeholders and institutional partners in public and private sectors, Ani has created win-win strategies and designed high impact client engagements and leadership programs.

In her current role, Ani oversees the flagship General Management Program at Harvard Business School, which offers a transformational experience for executives as they prepare for C-Suite roles.

Ani is the President of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), a non-profit organization with global reach based in Watertown, MA. AIWA’s initiatives focus on education, women’s wellness and cultural programing. Ani is also an advisor to Huys Foundation, a non-profit with a single mission supporting Armenian youth achieve educational excellence.

Ani graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in International Relations and Spanish. She successfully completed the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development (PMD 78) in 2003.

Ani speaks Armenian and Spanish and has lived, worked or traveled to fifty-two countries to date and keen to see the rest of the world in the coming years.

 

Soulaymane Kachani

 

Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
Columbia University
Senior Vice Dean and Professor
Columbia Engineering
USA

Professor Kachani serves as Columbia University’s Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. In this role, he oversees the development of Columbia University’s teaching and learning strategies, and supporting schools, colleges and departments in offering new and extending existing on-campus, online and hybrid courses and programs to audiences at Columbia and around the world.

Professor Kachani also serves as Senior Vice Dean of Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. He conducts research in the fields of dynamic pricing, revenue management, machine learning, logistics, supply chain management, algorithmic trading, statistical arbitrage, traffic flow modeling, and transportation analysis. He is an affiliated member of two centers of the Columbia Data Science Institute: The Financial and Business Analytics Center and the Foundations of Data Science Center. He is also an affiliated member of the Columbia Center for Financial Engineering and the Computational Optimization Research Center. He teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of quantitative corporate finance, industrial economics, operations consulting, logistics, pricing, and production and inventory planning.

At Class Day Ceremonies, Professor Kachani was honored with the Columbia Engineering School Alumni Association 2005 Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award for excellence in teaching and devotion to mentoring students, the 2007 Edward and Carole Kim Award for Faculty Involvement for going above and beyond the call of duty to foster student success, and the 2010 Janette and Armen Avanessians Diversity Award for outstanding performance in enhancing diversity in departmental, school and university programs at Columbia. He was also the recipient of the 2012 Egleston Distinguished Service Award for exceptional achievement, leadership and contributions to the excellence of Columbia University.

Prior to joining Columbia, Professor Kachani worked as a senior consultant in the Boston office of McKinsey & Company. He has continued to consult to McKinsey, to large corporations and to startups in the areas of pricing, supply chain management, operations, asset management, and corporate finance. Professor Kachani received a Ph.D. in Operations Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from MIT and a Diplôme d’Ingénieur in Applied Mathematics from École Centrale Paris.

Alister Jones

 

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Waikato University
NEW ZEALAND

Professor Jones was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2011 and became Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2015. He is a former Dean of Education and was previously Research Professor and Director of the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research at the Faculty of Education. He has managed and directed research projects that have informed policy, curriculum, and teacher development in New Zealand and internationally. His main areas of research are curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment and he has over 300 publications. In 2000, he was awarded the NZ Science and Technology Medal for his significant contribution to the development of technology education both nationally and internationally. Professor Jones has acted as an international consultant in curriculum and assessment and building educational research capability. His current portfolio includes international engagement and delivery with a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific regions including development of off-shore programmes and campuses. He has held a number of professional leadership positions and currently is a director of an international educational consulting company.


 

Dr. Ken Lin

 

Vice Dean
Stanford and Fudan joint Fintech Institute
CHINA

Dr. Ken currently serves as the Vice Dean at the Stanford & Fudan joint Fintech Institute (FS-CFTRA). He is also a Harvard Asia Center associate, an adjunct researcher & visiting professor at Columbia SIPA & CUHK (Hong Kong). Ken is also a member of the Rising Leaders Council at Asia Society, the International Studies Advisory Board at the American University of Sharjah (UAE), and the International Council at World Monuments Fund. Ken is actively involved in promoting China’s internationalization reform and US-China relations. He has co-chaired the Yale US-China Distinguished Colloquium and delivered speeches at APEC, the US-China Track II Economic Dialogue, and other events. Previously, Ken focused on economic reform, financial regulation, and tech investment. He obtained his PhD from the University of Tokyo and held fellowships in public policy at Tsinghua and Harvard University. Ken is also the author of a best-selling book.

 

Wilfried Hartmann

 

Professor
Hamburg University
GERMANY

Wilfried Hartmann studied German Philology, Theology, Philosophy and Education at the universities of Hamburg and Tübingen, got his doctoral degree 1971 in General Linguistics Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft and an Honorary Doctoral degree in Education from the University of Helsinki, Finland, in 1994. He started his professional life as teacher at senior secondary schools and as assistant, later senior lecturer at universities.

Since 1980, he hold a tenure as Professor, at first for general Education and Methods of the Teaching of German as First and Second Language, then for Comparative and International Education at Universität Hamburg. From 1983 to 1987, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Education, between 1996 and 2003 he was Vice-President of his University. Between these functions, he was Director of the Institute for Didactics of Language Teaching and of the Institute for Comparative Education, and from 2002 to 2006, he was responsible as „Director for Comparative German and European Studies“ for this field at the ICGS (International Center for Graduate Studies) of Universität Hamburg. From 1996 until 2004, he was a member and the vice-chair of the „Governing board“ and the „Standing Committee“ of the „UNESCO-Institute for Education“, the present „Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning“. After his retirement, Hartmann represented his university until bis 2016 as one of the directors of the “European University Foundation”, Luxemburg. He accepted invitations as visiting professor at the universities of Riga in Latvia, Kaunas in Lithuania, and Luxemburg. He works as consultant for international schools and universities, e.g. as member of the Academic Advisory Board of the WISS (Western International School Shanghai).

He published a number of books and articles on education, methods of the teaching of German and on comparative education. He received numerous medals, e.g.: from Helsinki University, the Charles University Prague, the Osaka City University, the Thammasat University Bangkok, the University Ankara, but as well the Partnership Medal of the City of St. Petersburg, a golden coin from the Senate of the City of Hamburg, a bronze medal from Pope Benedict XVI, the Great Jubilee Memorial Medal of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia and the Bugenhagen medal of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Northern Germany.

In addition to his professional activities he holds a number of honorary leading positions in the Lutheran church, e.g. since more than 20 years as chair of the district synod of the eastern part of Hamburg and since 2009 as President of the General Synod of the Lutheran Churches of Germany.

 

Stephen T. Golding

 

Managing Director
1782 Group
Senior Fellow AGB
USA

Stephen T. Golding currently serves as Senior Advisor to the President of Ohio University and an Executive-in-Resident at the University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. Mr. Golding previously served as the Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and the CEO for Ohio University’s Dublin Campus (2016 -2017) and Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer and Treasurer of the Ohio University Foundation (2010 to 2016). Mr. Golding has over 35 years of experience in higher education financial affairs, investment management, strategic resource planning and government. Prior to Ohio University, Mr. Golding was the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at Cornell University. While at Cornell Golding served as principle advisor to the Governor’s Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy and developing strategies to sponsor and commercialize New York State universities’ technology to promote regional based economic development. Prior to joining Cornell, Mr. Golding served as the Chief Financial Officer for both the University of Colorado System and for the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he is Managing Partner for The 1782 Group, a higher education consulting firm and a Senior Consultant for the Association of Governing Board Institutional Strategies Group. Mr. Golding holds a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Washington College where he serves as a trustee on their Board of Visitors and Governors.

 

William Mai Man Cheung

 

B.Sc., M. Sc., D.M.D., F.A.G.D., F.A.D.I., F.I.C.D., F.A.C.D., F.I.A.D.F.E., F.P.F.A.
HONG KONG

 

BACKGROUND
Born in Hong Kong on July 20, 1954
Married to Catherine in 1981, have two children: Stefani & Liana

EDUCATION, HONORS & AWARDS

Pui Ching Middle School, graduated 1972
Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) in Chemistry, 1976
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Professor A. W. Bastress Award for Research
American Institute of Chemists’ Award
Outstanding Foreign Student Award

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Food Chemistry, 1978
Teaching & Research Assistantship

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), 1981

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Certificate, General Practice Residency, 1982

Academy of General Dentistry
Inducted Fellow (F.A.G.D.) in 1990

Academy of Dentistry International

Inducted Fellow (F.A.D.I.) in 1998

International College of Dentists
Inducted Fellow (F.I.C.D.) in 2012

American College of Dentists
Inducted Fellow (F.A.C.D.) in October, 2013

International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics
Inducted Fellow (F.I.A.D.F.E.) in November, 2016

Pierre Fauchard Academy
Inducted Fellow (F.P.F.A.) in August, 2018

International Who’s Who of Professionals
Selected in Year 2001

Award for Promoting Academic Exchange and Collaboration
1st Global Congress of Chinese Dentists, 2010

Alumni Award of Merits
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, May 2011

Award for Distinguished Community Services
Chinese Stomatological Association, 2011

Presidential Citation
International College of Dentists, Oct 10, 2015

International Academic Exchange Award
Chinese Stomatological Association, 2016

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, Hong Kong Dental Association
Member, American Dental Association
Honorary Council Member, Chinese Stomatological Association (2011-Present)
Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry
Fellow, Academy of Dentistry International
Fellow, International College of Dentists
Fellow, American College of Dentists
Fellow, International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics
Fellow, Pierre Fauchard Academy

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Clinical practice:
Full time practice of Dentistry since 1982, now maintaining a multi-specialty dental practice in Central Business District (CBD) in Hong Kong

Academic appointments:
Honorary Professor, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China
Honorary Associate Professor, the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Dentistry, Hong Kong
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, U.S.A.

SERVICES

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA:
Emeritus Trustee, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A., 2019-Present
Chair, University of Pennsylvania (HK) Foundation Limited, Hong Kong, 2016-Present
Chair, Board of Overseers, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A., 2008-Present
Member, Alumni Board, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A., 2007-2012, 2014-16

FDI World Dental Federation:
Vice Chair, Education Committee, FDI World Dental Federation, 2018-19
Member, Education Committee, FDI World Dental Federation, 2016-19
CE Programme Director for Asia Pacific, FDI World Dental Federation, 2007-2016

International College of Dentists:
Speaker, International Council, International College of Dentists, 2019-Present
Vice President, International College of Dentists Section XV, 2017-Present
Chairman, Humanitarian Projects, International College of Dentists Section XX Asian Union, 2015-2016

Hong Kong Dental Association:
Member, Dispute Resolution Committee, Hong Kong Dental Association, 2019-Present
Member, Professional Education Committee, Hong Kong Dental Association, 2001-Present

Others:
Independent non-executive director, Modern Dental Group (listed company on Hong Kong Stock Exchange), 2015-Present
Honorary Council Member, Chinese Stomatological Association, 2011-Present

Randy Bennett

 

Norman O. Frederiksen Chair
ETS in Princeton
USA

Randy Bennett is Norman O. Frederiksen Chair in Assessment Innovation at ETS in Princeton, NJ. Since the 1980s, he has conducted research on integrating advances in cognitive science, technology, and measurement to create new approaches to assessment intended to have positive impact on teaching and learning. For his work, he was given the ETS Senior Scientist Award in 1996, the ETS Career Achievement Award in 2005, the Teachers College, Columbia University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016, Fellow status in the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in 2017, the National Council on Measurement in Education’s (NCME) Bradley Hanson Award for Contributions to Educational Measurement in 2019 (with H. Guo, M. Zhang, and P. Deane), and the E. F. Linquist Award from AERA and ACT in 2020.

From 1999 through 2005, Bennett directed the NAEP Technology Based Assessment project, which explored the use of computerized testing in NAEP. The project was the first to have administered computer-based performance assessments to nationally representative samples of school students, and to use logfile data in such samples to measure the processes used in problem solving.

From 2007 to 2016, Bennett directed an integrated research initiative titled, Cognitively-Based Assessment of, for, and as Learning (CBAL). This initiative focused on creating theory-based summative and formative assessment to support learning and instruction. The initiative contributed to such foundational results as the application of “theory of action” to assessment systems, and the learning progressions that underlie such innovative educational games as GlassLab’s Mars Generation One: Argubot Academy.

Randy Bennett is Past President of the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA), which is primarily constituted of governmental and NGO measurement organizations throughout the world. He is also Past President of NCME, whose members are employed in universities, testing organizations, education departments, and school districts.

Ning Li

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Extraordinary China Holdings Limited
China

Ning Li, aged 54, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Extraordinary China Holdings Limited and a member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Nomination Committee. Mr. Li is the founder of Li Ning brand. He is currently the Executive Chairman, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Li Ning Co., Ltd., and also serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Li Ning Co., Ltd. and a member of the Nomination Committee. It is mainly responsible for formulating the overall corporate strategy and planning of the Li Ning Group and fulfilling the duties of the chief executive officer of Li Ning Co., Ltd. with the support of the current senior management of Li Ning Co., Ltd. Mr. Li is one of the most outstanding athletes of the twentieth century. At the 6th World Gymnastics Championships held in 1982, Mr. Li won six gold medals in the men’s gymnastics project, created a world sports history and earned the reputation of “Gymnastics Prince” in China. At the 23rd Los Angeles Olympic Games held in 1984, Mr. Li won three gold, two silver, and one bronze medals, became the athlete who won the most medals in the competition of the year. In 1987, Mr. Li became a member of the Asian Committee of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Committee. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Li was a member of the Men’s Technical Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation and is now an honorary member of the International Gymnastics Federation. In 1999, Mr. Li was selected by the World Sports Journalists Association as “the best athlete of the 20th century”. After withdrawing from sports in 1989, Mr. Li conceived and launched the Li Ning brand, aimed to create the first Chinese national sporting goods brand. Mr. Li has been committed to the development of the Group’s business for over 20 years and has made outstanding contributions to the development of the Chinese sportswear industry. Mr. Li holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Law School at Peking University an MBA from the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, an honorary doctorate in technology from Loughborough University in the UK, and an honorary doctorate in humanities from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In June 2010, Mr. Li was also awarded the Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Mr. Li actively participates in charitable activities through the “Li Ning Fund” and helps active and retired Chinese athletes and coaches to set up the “Chinese Athlete Education Fund” to provide learning and training support for athletes and support the development of education in poor and remote areas of China. In October 2009, Mr. Li was appointed by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) as the “WFP Anti-Hunger Goodwill Ambassador”.

Paul K. Kelly (1940-2021)

 

President and Chief Executive Officer
Knox & Co.
Executive Director
Westgate Group, Inc.
United States

Paul K. Kelly was President and Chief Executive Officer of Knox & Co., www.knoxandco.com, an investment banking firm specializing in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and international financial advisory services, and President and Chief Executive Officer of PH II, Inc., a privately held investment company engaged in making principal investments on a global basis.  Knox & Co. is active in China and has had a longstanding relationship with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, in regard to jointly pursuing investment banking transactions and other matters of mutual interest.

Mr. Kelly is Executive Director of Westgate Group, Inc., a strategic consulting firm with an emphasis on cross-border activities between countries, particularly by China and Western nations.  In this capacity, Westgate Group advises various governmental, educational, and corporate entities. Mr. Kelly also served as Senior Advisor to the Government of Pudong, the Core Area of the International Financial Center of China, in Shanghai (see following page).

Mr. Kelly was a co-founder of Peers & Co., an international investment banking firm, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer until shortly after the sale of his equity interest in the firm to Kemper Corporation during 1990.  Previously, he was Executive Vice President and Director of Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., responsible for all investment banking activities for financial institutions. Mr. Kelly also served as Managing Director and member of the Management Committee of Merrill Lynch White Weld Capital Markets Group, responsible for all investment banking activities for financial institutions on a worldwide basis, and was also senior banker to Merrill Lynch & Co., the holding company for all Merrill Lynch interests.  Prior to this, Mr. Kelly was Executive Vice President, Director and member of the Executive Committee of Blyth Eastman Dillon, where he was co-head of the Corporate Finance Department. He was responsible for all new business activities for the firm and headed the Financial Institutions Group. At age 31, Mr. Kelly was responsible for all corporate finance new business activities at The First Boston Corporation, where he had established the Commercial Paper Department at age 29.

Mr. Kelly has frequently been identified with the introduction of new financing concepts to the capital markets.  Among such, he originated such financing techniques as commercial paper issuance and publicly-issued preferred stock for bank holding companies, short-term collateral trust notes for mortgage banking companies, floating-rate notes convertible into fixed-rate debentures in the United States and Europe, and was instrumental in developing the computerized book order entry system for syndicating publicly-traded certificates of deposit sold to individuals.  The investment banking groups which he has headed have completed numerous merger and acquisition assignments, worth in excess of $80 billion, for various clients in both the financial and non-financial industry sectors. He has also served as Senior Financial Advisor to a variety of international corporate and governmental entities.

Mr. Kelly was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania; former Chairman of the Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business at Penn; Chairman of the Advisory Board of Kelly Writers House, at Penn; and a member of the Board of Governors of the Penn Club of New York.  In addition, he was a Director of the New York Film Academy, a member of the Director’s Advisory Board of the Yale Cancer Center, a member of the Visionary Council of MIT Collaborative Initiatives, and Co-Chairman of the US-China Future Leaders Program. He is the former Chairman and Director of China Ceramics Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq) and a past director of American Life and Health Insurance Company of New York, The Chicago Sun-Times Corporation, Hydrox Corporation, Ltd. (New Zealand), MCR Corporation, Porta Systems Corporation (ASE), and past member of the North American Management Committee (NAMCO) of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. (MUFG).

Mr. Kelly graduated with an A.B. in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962, received an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School in 1964, and holds an LLD (Hon.), 2006, from the University of Auckland.  He has lectured on financial topics before various groups internationally and has contributed articles to a number of professional periodicals. Mr. Kelly is a contributing author of The Treasurer’s Handbook (Dow Jones-Irwin) and has also appeared on a number of television shows in the United States, New Zealand, Japan and China.  Mr. Kelly is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who in Finance and Industry.

In New Zealand, Mr. Kelly was the Founder and former Owner and Chairman of Carrington Resort, www.peppers.co.nz/carrington, an international golf resort located on the 3,000-acre Carrington Farms property on the Karikari Peninsula, and Edgewater Developers Ltd., a real estate development firm specializing in coastal properties.  He was also the Founder and Owner of Karikari Estate, www.karikariestate.co.nz, a vineyard, and winery complex which began production in March, 2003.  Mr. Kelly was an active supporter of the University of Auckland and a former member of the Advisory Committee of its Business School.  He was also a member of the New Zealand Business Roundtable.

Consulting activities performed by Westgate Group for the Government of Pudong include the establishment of the Pudong Institute of Finance (PIF), to provide executive education and training for corporate executives and government officials.   The Founding Universities of PIF were Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School and Columbia Business School, which were chosen by Westgate Group. A number of additional leading international universities and business schools have since conducted Executive Education and Training seminars at PIF.  In addition, Westgate Group organized Project Outreach, a series of official government delegations to the Middle East, composed of Shanghai and Pudong government officials and financial executives, beginning in 2011.  At the time, these were the highest level delegations from the Shanghai and Pudong governments ever to conduct Official Visits to selected Gulf States governments.

In addition to his position as a Life Time Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, and his prior Advisory Board positions at the New York Film Academy, the Yale Cancer Center, and MIT Collaborative Initiatives, Mr. Kelly was also Co-Chairman of the Academic Advisory Board of the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), a leading international school in Shanghai.

Dr. Cheng Yan Davis

Special Advisor to President
University of Pennsylvania
Senior Advisor to Pudong Government
United States

Dr. Cheng Yan Davis served as Special Advisor to the President of Teachers College (TC), Columbia University on international advancement. She is also Senior Advisor to Shanghai Pudong Government (Executive Director of Westgate Group, Inc.) Before coming to TC, Cheng worked at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), where she was the Vice Dean of Graduate School of Education (GSE) as well as Special Advisor to the President of the University of Pennsylvania on internationalization efforts. Before coming to Penn, she served as Vice President of Drexel University.

While working at Penn for 17 years, she founded GSE International in 1993, the first international programs office among graduate schools of education of ivy-league universities. Under her leadership, the office has flourished and earned a reputation for excellence both at home and abroad, and plays a central role in promoting both the school and the university in the area of international development and cooperation. Cheng is the founder of Pre-College Program for Chinese High School students since 2006. The project is the first one in the US Ivy universities. It is a very successful project in US-China Education community.

Following an “East Meets West” philosophy, Cheng established education roundtables with China, France, New Zealand and Thailand, each dedicated to information exchange and joint exploration of the key education challenges facing each participating nation as it faces the demands of the Twenty-First Century global economy. She also pioneered cross-national education research through its groundbreaking Six-Nation Education Research Program and its successor, the Eight Nations Education Research Project, which bring together national-level researchers and policymakers from key nations in Asia, Europe, and North America to conduct cooperative research on education policy. She also initiated the APEC (9 nations) Math & Science Teachers Program, which was funded by the US Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.

In addition to working for education practitioners and students, Cheng has developed scores of specialized training programs for groups ranging from government officials and university presidents to finance executives and corporate CEOs. Among the most successful of these programs are the first training programs for CEOs and leading executives in the Chinese securities and mutual fund industries, created in conjunction with the Wharton School. Over the past ten years, the Penn-Securities Association of China Program and the Penn-China Mutual Fund CEO Leadership Program have trained about two hundred Chinese executives in the latest theories and practices of the U.S. finance sector. She also initiated and organized the US-China Future Leaders Program, which strives to develop a close relationship and improve mutual understandings among the rising young leaders of both nations.

Cheng enjoys close relationship with high-ranking officials and researchers in many Asian countries, with especially extensive and strong network and connections in China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Thailand, Singapore and Japan. Among those are Presidents of China, Princess of Thailand, and Ministers of Education and Finance sectors, governors and mayors of major cities. She is also actively involved in fundraising efforts with overseas alumni, friends of the university, and international businesses. She has successfully identified and developed many prospective donating individuals and organizations, domestic and abroad, contributing significantly to the increase in donations to the school and the university.

Cheng’s ability to organize, recruit talent, assess programs’ potential, anticipate professional needs, and establish and maintain high-level domestic and global connections makes her an outstanding leader in international initiatives. As a result, she serves on the advisory board of many educational institutions, corporations, and government agencies. She was Chair of the Board of New York Film Academy, Senior Advisor to Motorola and Oracle on international government relations, and Advisor Professor to East China Normal University. Besides, she has served as the Senior Observer for the Shanghai International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the past twenty years and Senior Advisor to Shanghai Pudong government. She helped to create the Pudong Institute of Finance and successfully recruit Harvard Business School, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Switzerland, and China Executive Leadership Academy (Pudong China) as its initial academic committee. With her effort, Shanghai established friendly and cooperative relations with the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Cheng’s extraordinary achievement in international affairs has earned her numerous recognitions, among which are the President Award for Excellent Leadership from Drexel University. Moreover, as the first international student studying at the Penn GSE from China, Cheng has earned the first–ever Penn GSE Alumni Pioneers Award. She is also the first Chinese alumni who has been ever awarded. In 2012, the Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand gave Cheng the Outstanding Leadership award for very successful the US-Thailand Education Round Table Project. Moreover, as the first awardee in the US, Cheng accepted the Princess Maha Chakri Award to commend her for leading efforts in US-Thai Educational Roundtables in partnership with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in April 2017.