Professorships Summit

The National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, extends its sincere appreciation to all who joined us for the Professorships Summit, a dynamic plenary session on “The Future of Education and Education Research” held in celebration of NIE’s 75th Anniversary on 8 October 2025.

The Summit brought together distinguished academics holding NIE’s named professorships — the CJ Koh Professorship in Education, Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professorship in Malay Studies, Dr Ruth Wong Professorship in Teacher Education, E.W. Barker Professorship in Physical Education and Sports Science, Lee Sing Kong Professorship in Early Childhood, and Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Education.

We were honoured to have Professor Liu Woon Chia, Director of NIE, among the speakers at this illustrious event. Each professor shared their perspectives on the future of education and educational research, followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Mr Mubin Saadat, Deputy Opinion Editor at The Straits Times.

Thank you once again for being part of this meaningful milestone event.

For enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].

About the Professorships Summit

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About NIE Professorships

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Panelists

CJ Koh Professorship in Education

Professor Chris Chapman, University of Glasglow, Scotland

Professor Chapman FAcSS, FRSE, FRSA is Professor of Educational Policy and Practice at the University of Glasgow. He leads the Economic and Social Research Council/Children’s Neighbourhoods Scotland (ESRC/CNS) legacy project and collaborates with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) on a Networked Learning System model. As Director of the Network for Social and Educational Equity, he advances research-practice partnerships for equitable education. He also sits on the First Minister’s International Council of Education Advisers.

E.W. Barker Professorship

Professor David Kirk, University of Strathclyde, Glasglow

Professor Kirk is Professor of Education at the University of Strathclyde, specialising in educational innovation, curriculum history, and physical education and sport pedagogy. He is founding editor of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy and editor of Routledge Studies in Physical Education and Youth Sport. He is Honorary Professor of Human Movement Studies at the University of Queensland. His latest co-authored book, Applying Models-based Practice in Physical Education, was published in 2024.

Lee Sing Kong Professorship in Early Childhood

Professor Robert Pianta, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, USA

Professor Pianta is the Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education, professor of psychology, and founding director of the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on teacher-student relationships and their impact on learning and development. He leads work on measurement tools and interventions used globally to improve teacher-student interactions and continues to consult internationally on early childhood and K–12 education.

Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Education

Professor Meghan Burke, Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University, USA

Professor Burke is a Special Education scholar at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Her research focuses on advocacy, disability policy, and the roles families play in supporting individuals with disabilities—especially in families navigating service systems and siblings transitioning into caregiving roles. She developed several influential advocacy programmes, including the Vanderbilt Kennedy Centre’s Volunteer Advocacy Project, which builds families’ capacity to access disability services. The programme has been replicated in seven U.S. states and is offered in three languages. With over 136 peer-reviewed articles, co-authored texts, and editorial roles, she is a leading contributor to disability and education research, policy and practice.

Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professorship in Malay Studies

Professor Arndt Graf, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany

Professor Graf is Inaugural Chair of the Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professorship in Malay Studies at the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at Goethe-University Frankfurt. He leads the Africa’s Asian Options (AFRASO) project and is a renowned expert in Malay and Indonesian languages, literature, and culture. His international work spans leading institutions and includes influential publications and awards recognising his global impact on Malay Studies.

Dr Ruth Wong Professorship

Professor Allison Littlejohn, University College London

Professor Littlejohn is Pro Vice-Provost for the Data Empowered Societies Grand Challenge and Professor of Learning Technology at University College London. Her research explores how digital tools transform professional learning across energy, healthcare, and education, focusing on aligning technology with work practices. She has led over 40 projects, published 300+ works, and currently holds visiting professorships at the Open University, University of Wollongong, and National Institute of Education, Singapore. She previously directed the UCL Knowledge Lab and held senior roles at the Open University, University of Glasgow, and Glasgow Caledonian University.

Director, National Institute of Education (NIE)

Professor Woon Chia Liu, National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore

Professor Liu is Director at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, and Professor in the Psychology and Child & Human Development Department. She co-founded the Motivation in Educational Research Laboratory and is the immediate past Dean of Teacher Education, where she led major programme redesigns at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She was instrumental in shaping the Singapore Teaching Practice and championed the IoT@NIE Learning Lab with IMDA. For her contributions, she received the Public Administration Medals (Bronze and Silver) in 2012 and 2018 respectively. Professor Liu’s research centres on motivation, teacher education, and pedagogical innovation.

Moderator

Mr Mubin Saadat, The Straits Times, Singapore

Mr Saadat is deputy opinion editor at The Straits Times, where he edits and writes commentaries on a range of issues including work, society, family, youth and education. He began his journalism career in broadcast as a producer-presenter before becoming deputy editor at CNA Digital, where he oversaw coverage of both foreign and local breaking news. Mr Saadat has covered stories across cities in Asia as a broadcast and digital journalist, interviewed prominent newsmakers, and contributed commentaries on global and domestic affairs. He holds a postgraduate degree in international relations and has taught journalism at the tertiary level.

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