IAFOR > The Southeast Asian Conference on Education (SEACE) > SEACE2025

SEACE2025

SEACE2025

February 21-25, 2025 | Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Malaysia & Online

The 5th Southeast Asian Conference on Education (SEACE2025) took place from February 21 to 24, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and online on February 25, 2025. The event was organised by The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) in collaboration with the IAFOR Research Centre at the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP) at Osaka University, Japan, and supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).
SEACE2025 served as a premier platform for educators, researchers, and policymakers to engage in meaningful discussions about current educational challenges in Southeast Asia and beyond. The conference welcomed 232 delegates from 41 countries, representing 173 institutions and organisations worldwide.

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Conference Report
Conference Proceedings
Virtual Presentations

Programme

  • Academic Publishing in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Practice
    Academic Publishing in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Practice
    Featured Publishing Workshop: Michael Menchaca
  • Rethinking Language Education: Lessons from Malaysia
    Rethinking Language Education: Lessons from Malaysia
    Keynote Presentation: Stefanie Shamila Pillai
  • Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration
    Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration
    Panel Presentation: Chih-Pu Dai, Ariana Eichelberger, Mary Hattori, Daniel Hoffman, Shamila Janakiraman, Peter Leong, Michael Menchaca, Seungoh Paek
  • Turning Hesitation into Action: Inspiring Rural Area Teachers to Embrace AI in Education
    Turning Hesitation into Action: Inspiring Rural Area Teachers to Embrace AI in Education
    Featured Presentation: Nurhasmiza Sazalli
  • Human and Artificial Intelligence: Questions of Culture, Psychology, Ethics and Education
    Human and Artificial Intelligence: Questions of Culture, Psychology, Ethics and Education
    Forum Discussion: Syed Ali, Apipol Sae-Tung

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Speakers

  • Syed Mehboob Ali
    Syed Mehboob Ali
    Southern Methodist University, United States
  • Chih-Pu Dai
    Chih-Pu Dai
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States
  • Ariana Eichelberger
    Ariana Eichelberger
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States
  • Mary Hattori
    Mary Hattori
    East-West Center, United States
  • Daniel Hoffman
    Daniel Hoffman
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States
  • Peter Leong
    Peter Leong
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States
  • Shamila Janakiraman
    Shamila Janakiraman
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States
  • Michael Menchaca
    Michael Menchaca
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States
  • Seungoh Paek
    Seungoh Paek
    University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, United States
  • Stefanie Pillai
    Stefanie Pillai
    Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • Apipol Sae-Tung
    Apipol Sae-Tung
    IAFOR, Japan
  • Nurhasmiza Sazalli
    Nurhasmiza Sazalli
    Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

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Conference Committees

Global Programme Committee

Professor Anne Boddington, IAFOR & Middlesex University, United Kingdom
Dr Joseph Haldane, IAFOR & Osaka University, Japan, & University College London, United Kingdom
Professor Jun Arima, IAFOR & University of Tokyo, Japan
Professor Virgil Hawkins, IAFOR Research Centre & Osaka University, Japan
Mr Lowell Sheppard, IAFOR & Never Too Late Academy, Japan

Dr Susana Barreto, University of Porto, Portugal
Professor Grant Black, Chuo University, Japan
Dr Evangelia Chrysikou, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London, United Kingdom
Professor Donald E. Hall, Binghamton University, United States
Professor Brendan Howe, Ewha Womans University & The Asian Political and International Studies Association (APISA), South Korea
Dr James W. McNally, University of Michigan, United States

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Conference Programme Committee

Lynette Swee Hian Goh, Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore
Dr Joseph Haldane, The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), Japan
Dr Brendan Howe, Ewha Womans University, South Korea
Professor Adisorn Juntrasook, Thammasat University, Thailand
Dr Leandro Loyola, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Applied Learning, Canada
Dr Pisith Nasee, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Dr Nongyao Nawarat, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Dr Annie W. Y. Ng, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Dr Farish Noor, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
Dr Justin Sanders, Woven by Toyota, Japan
Professor Melanie Tolentino, Central Luzon State University, Philippines
Professor Anusorn Unno, Thammasat University, Thailand

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Conference Review Committee

Dr Reem Abu-shawish, Qatar University, Qatar
Dr Samra Afzal, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr Annette Bradford, Independent Scholar, Singapore
Dr Lorna Dimatatac, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Philippines
Dr Anele Gobodwana, University of South Africa, South Africa
Dr Baraki Haile, Aksum University, Ethiopia
Dr Mona Hassan, American University in Cairo, Egypt
Dr Tanyathorn Hauwadhanasuk, Saint Louis University, United States
Dr Hennie Lomibao, Bicol University, Philippines
Dr Cheryl Mendoza, Pangasinan State University, Bayambang, Philippines
Dr Annie Wy Ng, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Dr Venus Parmisana, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Philippines
Dr Elymar Pascual, Department of Education, Philippines
Dr Nilda San Miguel, Department of Education, Lumban District, Laguna, Philippines
Dr Hoang-nam Tran, Tokushima University, Japan
Dr Linh Huong Tran, FPT University, Vietnam
Dr Raees Unnisa, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
Dr Ker Yuek Li, Southern University College, Malaysia

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Academic Publishing in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Practice
Featured Publishing Workshop: Michael Menchaca

In this workshop, Professor Michael Menchaca, Editor of the Technology in Education issue of the IAFOR Journal of Education, will introduce the Journal and draw upon his expertise in discussing academic publishing and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The workshop will include journal guidelines, submission deadlines, key statistics, current indexes, and manuscript considerations, with a particular focus on current manuscript consideration areas: Artificial Intelligence, frameworks, author vs. editor responsibilities, and contemporary content. The workshop will allocate ample time for questions and answers, encouraging delegates at all levels of publication experience to participate.

Read presenter's biography
Rethinking Language Education: Lessons from Malaysia
Keynote Presentation: Stefanie Shamila Pillai

In many cases, apart from the language used as the medium of instruction (usually an official language of the country), other languages offered in the education system tend to veer towards the world’s lingua franca, English – even in multilingual contexts. This may be due to the legacy of colonisation or changing global trends. Such practices can lead to a largely monolingual society, one that places more value on particular languages at the expense of its local languages. The latter consequence will eventually affect the survival of these local languages.

This keynote presentation explores these points by looking at the impact of language and language education policies on language practices in Malaysia, a linguistically diverse country with over 130 living languages. These include the national language, Malay, and its various regional and social varieties; the country’s many indigenous languages, as well as Chinese and Indian languages and Malaysia’s own variety of English. Apart from Malay, however, the main languages present in the education system are English, Mandarin, Tamil, and also Arabic. Throughout the last six decades, changes in terms of the languages of instruction and language education have influenced the language practices of Malaysians. This keynote will not only explore these influences, but also discuss how (or if) languages in education can strike a balance between emphasising official and selected languages as well as provide equitable access to education, taking into account the various linguistic and cultural backgrounds of Malaysians.

Read presenter's biography
Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration
Panel Presentation: Chih-Pu Dai, Ariana Eichelberger, Mary Hattori, Daniel Hoffman, Shamila Janakiraman, Peter Leong, Michael Menchaca, Seungoh Paek

Education and sustainability are central to diverse and developing nations. Grounded in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the specified goal of Quality Education in mind, this panel will discuss artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives focusing on workforce education, culturally-relevant technology education, and regional empowerment. This panel will discuss recent collaborations and initiatives addressing AI and its potential in sustainable education between the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa’s College of Education and the East-West Center, which promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific. Highlighted initiatives include integrating cultural awareness into AI-driven initiatives such as AI implementation, AI professional development, AI course development, and AI virtual agent development.

Read presenters' biographies
Turning Hesitation into Action: Inspiring Rural Area Teachers to Embrace AI in Education
Featured Presentation: Nurhasmiza Sazalli

Generative AI has emerged as a transformative tool in education, offering innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning processes. Since 2024, efforts to train in-service teachers in Malaysia, particularly in rural areas, have focused on equipping them with practical skills to integrate generative AI into their daily responsibilities. These training programs aimed to empower teachers to streamline lesson planning, create engaging learning materials, and deliver effective feedback, ultimately improving classroom experiences.

The primary challenge in these training initiatives lies not in technological barriers but in attitudinal resistance. Many teachers attend sessions under administrative direction and are often hesitant to engage with unfamiliar tools. To address this, training programs were meticulously designed to align with their practical needs and responsibilities in mind. By employing andragogical principles, workshops prioritised hands-on activities, interactive learning, and individualised support to ensure participants understood and could apply acquired skills in the classroom. Small-group facilitation and a slower pace further enhanced the learning experience, fostering confidence and competence among participants.

This keynote presentation will explore the strategies employed to overcome attitudinal challenges, highlighting the importance of relevance, engagement, and personalised guidance in generative AI training for educators. It will also discuss the broader implications of these efforts in transforming rural education, where teachers have begun to embrace AI for more efficient and creative teaching practices. The session aims to provide valuable insights for educators, trainers, and policymakers seeking to implement effective AI training programs in similar contexts, emphasising the potential of generative AI to bridge educational disparities.

Read presenter's biography
Human and Artificial Intelligence: Questions of Culture, Psychology, Ethics and Education
Forum Discussion: Syed Ali, Apipol Sae-Tung

The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had an enormous psychological impact on society in terms of how we view ourselves and others, our relationship with technology, and how we communicate with each other. The personification of AI and overreliance on its output can blur the boundaries between humans and machines, in turn impairing empathy, reducing real-world interaction, and worsening mental health. AI literacy is, therefore, extremely important if humans are to leverage the strengths of this accelerating technology.

Discussions around AI literacy almost certainly involve AI ethics: What should AI do – and not do – in order to preserve human communication and protect mental health? The design and behaviour of AI systems are tied to their potential psychological consequences, making mental health an ethical issue central in ongoing AI discussions and its use. Current theories on AI ethics are predominantly Western, using concepts of either utility maximisation or prioritising intrinsic values, such as fairness, dignity, and human agency. While teaching these principles in culturally homogeneous contexts is already challenging, this becomes far more complex in multicultural settings: how does one define and measure fairness, dignity, and whether the public good is served when culturally diverse students have a different understanding of these concepts? How can we train AI algorithms that go beyond borders to understand multicultural definitions of ethics?

Addressing these challenges requires introducing a multicultural approach to ethics that counters what scholars call ‘Western colonialism in the technical and conceptual architecture of AI’. At SEACE2025, IAFOR invites delegates to engage in critical discussions on the intersection of AI, mental health, and education in multicultural contexts.

Read presenters' biographies
Syed Mehboob Ali
Southern Methodist University, United States

Biography

Syed Mehboob Ali is a doctoral candidate at Southern Methodist University, United States. His research interests focus on mental health, cultural intelligence, Islamic psychology, and technology. His doctoral work aims to develop a culturally competent, proactive mental wellness framework that addresses modern challenges, including the impact of AI and mobile technology on human behaviour and relationships.

In addition to his academic endeavors, Mr Ali is a seasoned global leader with extensive experience driving innovation and leading strategic initiatives, including the successful launch of global technology-led programmes for Fortune 500 companies.

Mr Ali is also a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about bridging the worlds of technology and mental health. After earning a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, he deepened his expertise through the study of culturally informed approaches to mental wellness and counseling.

Through this unique intersection of corporate leadership and counseling, Mr Ali offers a dual perspective on human behaviour. He is dedicated to fostering meaningful discussions on the integration of technology, mental health, and cultural understanding to meet the evolving needs of today’s global community.

Forum Discussion (2025) | Human and Artificial Intelligence: Questions of Culture, Psychology, Ethics and Education
Chih-Pu Dai
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Dr Chih-Pu Dai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Learning Design and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education, Extended Reality, Game-Based Learning and Simulation-Based Learning.

Specifically, he designs and studies immersive and experience-oriented advanced learning technologies to enhance teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for diverse K-12 and adult learners. He aims to support and enhance learning with design features and solutions, as well as with the applications of AI and machine learning techniques in advanced learning technologies. As such, in a research project, he examines the effects of learning support for preservice teachers when they practise teaching in virtual reality with AI-powered virtual student agents.

Dr Dai uses quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and AI and machine learning approaches to address research questions. His work has been published in academic journals such as Computers & Education, Educational Technology Research & Development, British Journal of Educational Technology, Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence, and International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. In addition, he speaks at conferences of International Society of the Learning Sciences, American Educational Research Associations, and Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration

Previous Presentations

Featured Panel Presentation (2024) | Change for Resiliency: One Department’s Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant Education with a Focus on Asia and the Pacific
Ariana Eichelberger
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Ariana Eichelberger is the Director for Technology and Distance Programs in the College of Education at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Ari manages the Instructional Support Group of the College and coordinates the College’s faculty professional development program. As a faculty member of the Department of Learning Design and Technology, Ari teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in instructional design and technology integration. She is also an instructional designer with the College’s Technology and Distance Programs.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration

Previous Presentations

Featured Panel Presentation (2024) | Change for Resiliency: One Department’s Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant Education with a Focus on Asia and the Pacific
Mary Hattori
East-West Center, United States

Biography

Dr Mary Therese Perez Hattori is a daughter of Guåhan (Guam), of the clan Familian Titang, born to Paul Mitsuo Hattori† of Kalihi, O’ahu, Hawaii and Fermina Leon Guerrero Perez† of the village of Chalan Pago, Guam. She currently serves as Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) with the East-West Center and previously enjoyed a long career in various technology and education-related positions. PIDP is a regional organisation, a founding member of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific and secretariat of the Pacific Islands Council of Leaders.

Dr Hattori is also affiliate graduate faculty in Pacific Studies, Learning Design and Technology, and several Educational Doctorate programs, a community organiser, advocate for Pacific Islanders in the United States, public speaker, author, and poet. She is co-founder and co-organizer of cultural events such as the Cultural Animation Film Festival and the Celebrate Micronesia Festival, both held annually in Honolulu. She serves the state of Hawaii as a member of the Board of Education and Associate Member of the Consular Corps of Honolulu.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration
Daniel Hoffman
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Dan Hoffman is an Associate Professor of Learning Design & Technology (LTEC) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. He is the principal investigator of the Advancing Culturally-Relevant Computing project and the president of the International Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. A former classroom teacher, his research focuses broadly on the complex relationships between education and technology. In addition to his research, Dan enjoys working as an Associate Editor for the IAFOR Journal of Education - Technology in Education issues.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration

Previous Presentations

Featured Panel Presentation (2024) | Change for Resiliency: One Department’s Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant Education with a Focus on Asia and the Pacific
Peter Leong
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Dr Peter Leong is Chair of the Department of Learning Design & Technology at University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa. Dr Leong has extensive experience in the development and delivery of online courses and distance education. He was honoured as one of Hawaiʻi’s 2007 top high-technology leaders and was recognised with the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents’ Medal for Teaching Excellence award in 2012. He was the President of the Pan-Pacific Distance Learning Association and the President of the International Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, as well as an executive board member of the International Council on Educational Media. Dr Leong was previously a co-principal investigator on the RadGrad National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to evaluate new approaches to improving engagement, diversity, and retention in undergraduate computer science. He is currently a co-principal investigator on the Advancing Culturally-Relevant Computing NSF grant.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration

Previous Presentations

Featured Panel Presentation (2024) | Change for Resiliency: One Department’s Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant Education with a Focus on Asia and the Pacific
Shamila Janakiraman
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Shamila Janakiraman is an Assistant Professor in Learning Design & Technology (LTEC) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. She teaches graduate level courses in LTEC and her research interests are in emerging technologies, attitude change instruction, online teaching and learning, and competency-based education. Shamila is keen on exploring the use of emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, game-based learning in facilitating attitude change regarding the learning of different subjects, and attitudinal and behavioural learning regarding environmental sustainability and other socio-scientific topics.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration

Previous Presentations

Featured Panel Presentation (2024) | Change for Resiliency: One Department’s Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant Education with a Focus on Asia and the Pacific
Michael Menchaca
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Michael Menchaca is a professor at the Department of Learning Design and Technology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, United States. He specialises in distance education, and has designed, implemented, and coordinated online and hybrid programs for over 20 years. He serves as editor for the IAFOR Journal of Education: Technology in Education Edition. He was an IT specialist for many years in the public and private sector. As an educator, he teaches and conducts research in the areas of online learning, technology integration, and social justice with technology.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration
Seungoh Paek
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, United States

Biography

Dr Seungoh Paek is a Professor in the Department of Learning Design and Technology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, United States. Her research primarily explores children’s interactions within digital learning environments, with a focus on enhancing their comprehension of abstract concepts in mathematics, science, and computer science. Dr Paek has served as a co-investigator on two grant projects funded by the United States’ National Science Foundation (NSF). One project evaluates innovative strategies for improving engagement, diversity, and retention in undergraduate computer science programmes, while the other focuses on fostering research and practises in culturally relevant computing to support school teachers teaching computer science in Hawaii’s public schools. In addition to her research, Dr Paek teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses covering topics such as instructional design, instructional technology for K-12 (in-service and pre-service teachers), cognitive science, and research methodology. Her work as both an educator and researcher bridges educational theory and practical application in both teaching and research contexts.

Panel Presentation (2025) | Promoting Cultural Awareness in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Education: East-West Collaboration
Stefanie Pillai
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

Biography

Dr Stefanie Shamila Pillai is a Senior Professor in the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics at Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia and is an Adjunct Professor at the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, Mahidol University, Thailand. She was previously Dean of this Faculty and headed UM’s Social Advancement and Happiness Research Cluster and Centre for Industry and Community Engagement. Professor Pillai is currently a member of UM’s Board of Directors. Professor Pillai’s research focuses on language use in multilingual contexts, including the use of English in Malaysia and language education. She is known for her work on Melaka Portuguese (Papia Kristang), an endangered language in Malaysia, digitally archiving this language and works with community representatives to develop materials and programmes to encourage its use. Both her scholarly output and knowledge-sharing activities have caught the attention of government agencies overseeing languages, museums and archives, along with local and international media.

Professor Pillai has been actively involved in capacity-building and mentoring programmes, having been recognised as one of the pioneering members who developed a three-part leadership training programme for new deans at local universities in Malaysia. She was part of the Asia Pacific Women in Leadership Programme. She has developed and conducted a research training programme for early career researchers partly funded by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. She also organised workshops to build capacity for the language documentation of endangered languages as part of her Newton grant with Professor Emeritus Dr Peter K. Austin. Professor Pillai has received a number of accolades for her work, including recognition as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and a 2024 Top Research Scientist Malaysia and as a Mercator Fellow in the recently funded research unit on Convergence on Dominant Language Constellations: World Englishes in their local multilingual ecologies (CODILAC) at the University of Hamburg, Germany. She was previously an Ian Gordon Fellow at the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Keynote Presentation (2025) | Rethinking Language Education: Lessons from Malaysia
Apipol Sae-Tung
IAFOR, Japan

Biography

Apipol Sae-Tung is an Academic Coordinator at IAFOR, where he contributes to the development and execution of academic-related content and activities. He works closely with the Forum’s partner institutions and coordinates IAFOR’s Global Fellowship Programme. His recent activities include mediating conference reports for the Forum’s international conference programme and facilitating the IAFOR Undergraduate Research Symposium (IURS).

Mr Sae-Tung began his career as a Program Coordinator for the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He was awarded the Japanese Government’s MEXT Research Scholarship and is currently pursuing a PhD at the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan. His research focuses on government and policy analysis, particularly on authoritarian regimes. He currently takes part in research projects on international student education in Thailand, Southeast Asian politics, Japan-Asia digital economy, and AI-language model training.

Mr Sae-Tung holds an MA in International Relations and Diplomacy from Thammasat University, Thailand, where he studied foreign policy analysis and Thailand-China relations. He also holds a BA in History from the same institution, with a focus on modern Western and Southeast Asian comparative history and historiography.

Mr Sae-Tung has interned for the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) in Japan, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Thailand. He served on the Lifelong Learning Team while with UNESCO, working specifically on projects enhancing education access through online platforms among Thai NEET individuals and supporting Myanmar migrant children, providing shelters and access to proper education along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Forum Discussion (2025) | TBA
Nurhasmiza Sazalli
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

Biography

Dr Nurhasmiza Sazalli has over 22 years of experience in education. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, specialising in AI tools training, mobile learning, and design thinking. She also holds three master’s degrees, including an MBA in Digital Entrepreneurship. As the CEO@Faculty Fellow at McDonald’s Malaysia, she developed mobile app content for onboarding new employees and designed the company’s Talent Development Programme, enabling McDonald’s staff to pursue MBAs at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

An advocate for digital learning, Dr Sazalli has trained school teachers, university academics, and McDonald’s employees in mobile learning since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Her workshops emphasise design thinking and aim to create future-ready educators capable of delivering engaging, meaningful training. She also leads the Bijak Lestari University Social Responsibility (USR) team, offering AI training for educators, STEM activities for students, leadership workshops, and parenting skills programs.

Passionate about collaboration, Dr Sazalli has worked with institutions such as the Okayama University of Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and McDonald’s Malaysia. Currently, she leads the PhD and Master in Education TESL programs at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, supervising 15 PhD students. The courses taught by her include ‘Innovations in Education’, ‘Materials and Syllabus Design’, ‘Second Language Acquisition’, and ‘English for Professional Communication’.

Featured Presentation (2025) | Turning Hesitation into Action: Inspiring Rural Area Teachers to Embrace AI in Education