Speakers

Meet Our Distinguished Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Fauzan, M.Pd. | Keynote Speaker / Guest of Honor

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia | Professor at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.

  • Biography: Prof. Dr. Fauzan, M.Pd. is a highly respected academic, religious leader, and the current Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. He served as Rector of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) for two terms from 2016 to 2024. He is also a professor at UMM in the field of education and the initiator of the Community Development Driving Professor Program (P3M).

Fauzan was born in Kediri , East Java on August 14, 1961. He graduated from MA Negeri 1 Kediri City in 1983. He earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang in 1988, a Master of Education from the State University of Malang in 2005, and a Doctorate in Indonesian Language and Literature Education from the State University of Surabaya in 2018. In May 2023, he was appointed as a professor in the field of Indonesian language education at UMM. He is known for bridging students and industry through the Center of Excellence (CoE) and Center for Future Work (CFW) programs. He also runs the Professors Driving Community Development (P3M) program, which is implemented in various regions.

Field of Expertise: Educational Science, Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Curriculum Development, and Educational Management. Research Focus & Academic Contributions: Curriculum engineering, language learning methodologies, sociolinguistics, and higher education innovation.

As a keynote speaker at the APSPBI International Conference and Annual Business Meeting, Prof. Dr. H. Fauzan, M.Pd. is uniquely positioned to deliver an impactful address that bridges national policy with the future of English language education. Speaking from his dual perspective as the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and a seasoned educational innovator, his speech would most effectively center on transforming traditional English departments into engines of tangible socio-economic impact. He can introduce his signature Center of Excellence (CoE) framework to inspire institutions to move beyond standard teacher-training curricula, advocating for a diversified approach that equips graduates with modern, high-value global skills like AI-driven translation, localization, and digital content creation. Furthermore, he would outline the Ministry's vision for a "Kampus Berdampak" (Impactful Campus), urging APSPBI members to leverage digital learning technologies to foster educational inclusion and bridge the quality gap between urban universities and remote regions. By balancing the demands of global competitiveness with national cultural identity, his address would provide a vital strategic roadmap for curriculum engineering, national accreditation compliance, and international diplomacy in Indonesian higher education.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed

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Dr. Angela Farrell | Keynote Speaker

Assistant Dean International & Lecturer in TESOL/Applied Linguistics, University of Limerick, Ireland

  • Biography: Dr. Angela Farrell is a prominent academic serving as the Assistant Dean International for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) and a Lecturer in TESOL and Applied Linguistics at the University of Limerick, Ireland. She also serves as the Course Director for the International Structured PhD program in AHSS.

Her academic expertise strongly aligns with the core values of humanizing language education. Dr. Farrell's primary research interests encompass second language (L2) teacher education, L2 classroom discourse, reflective practice, applied corpus linguistics, inclusive education for migrant children, and language-sensitive teaching in multilingual contexts.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Farrell has been a key expert in various EU ERASMUS+ initiatives (such as the TRIP project), focusing on designing professional development frameworks for educators in culturally and linguistically diverse environments. She is an active member of the Centre for Applied Language Studies (CALS), the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL), and the Irish Association of Applied Linguistics (IRAAL). Her extensive publications in reputable international journals and books highlight how educators navigate linguistic diversity and construct their professional identities. At this conference, Dr. Farrell's insights will be invaluable, particularly in discussions surrounding Teacher Agency, reflective pedagogy, and inclusive practices amidst technological disruptions.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed

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Prof. Ahmed Bashir, M.A. TESOL| Keynote Speaker

Professor, Department of English, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh | President of BELTA

  • Biography: Prof. Ahmed Bashir is a distinguished academic and Full Professor in the Department of English at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He holds an M.A. in Applied Linguistics and ELT from the University of Dhaka, as well as a second M.A. in TESOL from the University of Nottingham (Malaysia Campus). In addition to his academic role, he serves as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA), playing a pivotal role in advancing English language education in the region.

Prof. Bashir’s extensive research expertise is highly relevant to the evolving landscape of modern education. His core interests include learner autonomy, language teaching strategies, educational technology, 21st-century skills, translanguaging, and humanistic approaches in ESL/EFL methodologies. He has published widely in high-impact international journals (such as TESL-EJ, Asia TEFL, and Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics) and serves on the editorial/reviewer boards of several prestigious publications, including Springer Nature journals. Recently, he co-edited the prominent book "Local Research and Glocal Perspectives in English Language Teaching: Teaching in Changing Times" (Springer Nature, 2023).

With his profound background in transitioning traditional classrooms into digital and autonomous learning environments, Prof. Bashir will provide attendees with invaluable perspectives on how to integrate technology while maintaining humanistic elements and fostering student independence in language learning.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed

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Dr. Esther Tong, B.A., M.A., DipEd., Ed.D. | Keynote Speaker

Principal Lecturer & Head of Division of Languages and Communication, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Biography: Dr. Esther Tong is a passionate teacher-scholar and educational leader serving as the Head of the Division of Languages and Communication, and the Director of the CPCE Centre for Pedagogic Research at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She holds a B.A. in TESL with first-class honors, an M.A. in Literacy Education and a Diploma in Education (TESL) from The University of British Columbia, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in English Language Education from The University of Hong Kong.

With a sustained commitment to teaching excellence, Dr. Tong has received multiple prestigious accolades, including the CPCE Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching Performance. Her cutting-edge research lies precisely at the intersection of modern technology and language education. Her primary interests include technology-mediated language learning, multimodal pedagogy, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), and English across the curriculum.

Currently, Dr. Tong is pioneering several technology-driven educational projects, notably serving as the Co-Principal Investigator of a government-funded AI-assisted academic English writing platform and leading a collaborative metaverse-based English learning initiative. Her profound expertise in leveraging generative AI to empower students' academic discourse, while maintaining sound pedagogical principles, makes her an invaluable voice at this conference.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed

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Dr. Noni Agustina, S.Pd., M.Pd. | Keynote Speaker

Lecturer and Researcher, English Education Department, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Esa Unggul University, Indonesia

  • Biography: Dr. Noni Agustina is an active educator, researcher, and innovator in the English Education Department at Esa Unggul University, Jakarta. She holds her Bachelor's (S.Pd.) and Master's (M.Pd.) degrees in English Education from Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ). Her academic expertise centers on English Language Teaching (ELT) methodologies, the development of interactive learning media, literacy coaching programs, and the cultivation of students' critical thinking skills.

Dr. Agustina has a strong track record of integrating technology into language classrooms to boost student engagement. Her notable research and intellectual property (IPR) contributions include the development of electronic mind-mapping techniques, interactive educational games, and digital-based literacy modules. Recently, she has been actively involved in community service and institutional projects focused on deep learning-based teaching modules and the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (LLM) to empower educational and local communities. Her practical approach to instructional design makes her insights highly valuable for educators looking to seamlessly blend digital tools—including AI—with humanistic teaching approaches.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed

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Prof. Francis M. Hult, Ph.D. | Keynote Speaker

Professor, Department of Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), USA

  • Biography: Prof. Francis M. Hult is a distinguished scholar and Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Holding a Ph.D. in Educational Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania, he is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of educational linguistics, language policy and planning, and multilingual education.

Prof. Hult’s research explores the complex intersections of language, culture, and educational policy. He frequently employs discourse analysis, nexus analysis, and linguistic ecology to investigate how global language policies influence local classroom practices and teacher dynamics. He has a prolific publication record, featuring widely cited articles in top-tier applied linguistics journals and serving as the editor/co-editor for foundational books, including the Handbook of Educational Linguistics and Educational Linguistics in Practice. He is also actively involved in prominent editorial boards and professional organizations, including the TESOL International Association and the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL).

In the context of the conference theme, Prof. Hult's profound understanding of language ecologies provides a critical lens for exploring Teacher Agency. His insights will empower educators to navigate complex educational policies and technological disruptions—such as AI—while advocating for equitable, multilingual, and human-centered language education.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed

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Prof. Sandra Kaneko-Marques, Ph.D. | Keynote Speaker 

Professor of English, Department of Modern Languages, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil

  • Biography: Prof. Sandra Mari Kaneko-Marques is a highly regarded academic and Associate Professor of English in the Department of Modern Languages at the Faculty of Sciences and Letters, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistic Studies from UNESP, an M.A. in Linguistics, and a B.A. in English Language and Literature. Furthermore, she enriched her international teaching expertise by completing a TEFL program at the University of California, Irvine.

Prof. Kaneko-Marques's research is deeply rooted in the humanistic dimensions of English Language Teaching (ELT) and language teacher education. Her academic expertise specifically focuses on reflective teacher supervision, classroom discourse analysis, and the power of collaborative dialogues in teaching practice. She has published insightful work on how educators can utilize video recordings and peer collaboration to engage in critical self-reflection and overcome pedagogical challenges in L2 classrooms.

In the era of AI and digital disruption, Prof. Kaneko-Marques’s expertise in reflective practice is more relevant than ever. Her insights at this conference will shed light on how we can preserve teacher agency, nurture professional identity, and ensure that technology acts as a tool for collaborative human empowerment rather than a replacement for pedagogical intuition.

  • Presentation Topic: to be confirmed