INSEAD was pleased to host the Education Symposium: Empowering Asia’s Rise, an event that brought together leaders from diverse areas of the education industry. This symposium aimed to explore key strategies and trends driving educational excellence across Asia, inspiring fresh perspectives, sparking dialogue, and fostering meaningful connections.

Theme: Empowering Asia’s Rise: Strategic Perspectives for 21st Century Education

The future of Asia is bright, and education is the cornerstone for unlocking its full potential. At INSEAD’s Education Symposium, we delved into the challenges and opportunities shaping education in this dynamic region. As we navigate an increasingly complex landscape, it is crucial to rethink our approaches to learning and teaching to ensure sustainable growth and inclusivity. We aim to equip leaders with valuable insights that will drive meaningful change in institutions and communities.

Knowledge Partner

Hoffman Institute at INSEAD–Equips business leaders with tools and frameworks to drive positive outcomes for businesses, communities, and the planet, aligned with global sustainability goals.

Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise at INSEAD – Focuses on advancing knowledge and providing education on the unique dynamics of family businesses, fostering sustainable success across generations.

A Day of Panel Discussions & Interactive Engagement

Leadership for the Future: Beyond Borders: Leading in a Diverse and Globalized Asia

• Explore the essential skills and mindset needed by leaders to navigate the complexities of a globalized and interconnected Asia

Learning With AI: Fostering Critical Thinking in an AI Driven World

• Explores the latest AI trends in education and their transformative impact on teaching and learning

Learning With AI: Rebooting EdTech – Lessons Learned & Future Strategies for Asia

• Explores pivotal lessons from the sector’s successes and challenges, highlight opportunities and present strategies for growth

Inclusive & Diverse Education: Redefining Learning for a Diverse World

• Explores innovative solutions for inclusive education, ensuring equitable access for all learners

Financial Sustainability and Innovation: Defining and evaluating the impact of Private Capital Investment in Education

• Explore the outcomes and formats of these capital streams, discussing their positive and negative impacts on educational quality, governance, and profitability

Building Sustainable Education Businesses: A View from a Family Business Lens

• Provide insights on the role of large family offices in private education investments, the prominence of family-owned institutions in Asia, and the challenges to achieving long-term sustainable growth

PANEL 1: Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again

Juan Figar is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Collyer Capital, an alternative asset manager specializing in Southeast Asia’s growth equity landscape. His experience spans strategic leadership in business and education initiatives across Asia, positioning him as a key advocate for inclusive and accessible learning. Today, he also runs Battampore, a platform focused on providing access to primary education in rural Cambodia, with 25 schools and +4000 children operated by them.

Dr. Nadir Ali Zafar is the Chief Experience Officer at the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) and concurrently Director of the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) where he leads a national initiative to prepare Singaporeans for global leadership roles. With over 20 years of experience, he was a founding leader at Alef Education where he supported the rapid growth of the company from a startup to unicorn and drove its expansion in Asia. Dr. Zafar also served on the board of a London-listed education company and runs an edtech venture focused on peer learning for business professionals.

Rajeev Peshawaria is the CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre and a renowned thought leader in sustainable and inclusive leadership. Author of bestsellers like Open Source Leadership and Sustainable Sustainability, Rajeev has pioneered models such as the Steward Leadership framework, emphasizing sustainable business solutions to global challenges. With former roles as Chief Learning Officer at Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley, Rajeev’s extensive experience across industries brings a profound perspective to redefining corporate governance and inclusive innovation in education.

Dominic Nixon is the Chairperson of Tanglin Trust School and a former Partner at PwC, where he led the Financial Services Industry Practice in Asia and served on PwC’s Global Financial Services Leadership Team. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Dominic has provided strategic financial guidance to institutions globally, contributing valuable insights on governance and accountability. As a leader in education through his role at Tanglin Trust School, he brings a unique perspective on how to foster inclusive innovation in learning.

Mint Lim is the founder of School of Concepts (SOC) and co-founder of School on Cloud Asia (SOCA), impact-driven enterprises dedicated to ensuring no child is left behind by advocating for quality and inclusive education. Inspired by her personal journey with dyslexia and guided by expert advisors, Mint developed SOC’s patented methodology, empowering over 300,000 learners across 5 countries to discover their optimal learning style. As Singapore’s first Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellow, Mint is a pioneer in the education sector, driving innovation at the intersection of pedagogy and accessible, technology-enabled programmes. Her steadfast dedication to creating inclusive and diverse learning environments offers valuable perspectives on reshaping education for a global and interconnected world.

PANEL 2: Learning With AI: Fostering Critical Thinking in an AI-Driven World

Alex Manson is a veteran of the banking industry, with more than 30 years’ experience in the space. He is a sought-after authority in fintech, and the CEO of SC Ventures, the ventures building, investment and innovation arm of Standard Chartered. As such, he leads the charge on driving transformative change on numerous fronts in the banking and financial services industry. Prior to that, he was the Global Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered and before that was at Deutsche Bank for 12 years, based in New York, London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong, where he held various roles including Global Head Lending and Corporate Banking Coverage, and Head Global Banking (IB) Coverage for APAC. He started his banking career at Credit Suisse in Switzerland and New York, where he held various roles in the Securitization Group, and Derivatives & Structured Products. Alex holds an Engineering degree from ETH Zurich, and an MBA from INSEAD.

Anwar Abdullah is the Chief Executive of the Home Team Academy, leading the transformation of Singapore’s public safety and security training ecosystem. With over 28 years in the Singapore Civil Defence Force, including as Deputy Commissioner, he brings deep expertise in operational policy, crisis management, and humanitarian assistance. At HTA, Anwar has established Centres of Excellence focused on fostering critical thinking and resilience. His insights into AI’s role in government-led learning and transformation will offer a valuable perspective on critical thinking in an AI-driven world.

Puay San Ng is the Director of Education & Skills at Microsoft Singapore, where she drives strategic engagements and adoption of education technologies across the education industry in Singapore. With over two decades of experience in managing educational programs at AWS and STEM education start-up, and teaching high school students as a former educator, Puay San brings extensive experience in fostering partnerships and empowering educators. Her insights on integrating AI into learning environments offer a valuable perspective on cultivating critical thinking skills in an AI-driven world.

Dr. Richard Yen is the Founder and CEO of Ednovation, where he merges pedagogy with technological innovation to create impactful educational solutions. With a background in Asia and the USA, Dr. Yen specializes in integrating advanced technologies to empower learning. A seasoned speaker and published author in journals like Physical Review Letters, he brings a deep understanding of AI’s role in fostering critical thinking. Dr. Yen’s commitment to sustainability and digital innovation offers valuable insights into the future of learning in an AI-driven world.

PANEL 3: Reimagining Student Mobility Post-Pandemic: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Trends

Dr Navin Rajagobal is the Senior Director for Academic Services & Operations at the Singapore Management University (SMU). He oversees key aspects of the student life cycle including Admissions & Financial Assistance, the Registrar’s Office, the Careers Centre, and SMU’s new Centre for Global Education & Opportunities, which he proposed in 2022. He concurrently serves as a volunteer District Councillor in Singapore’s South East Community Development Council with a focus on sustainability and future-readying youth. He previously served as the Director of Academic Affairs of Yale-NUS College and as the founding Deputy Director of the NUS Centre for International Law

Irina is a senior strategic advisor to CEOs/Boards in K-12 and higher education sector with 18 years’ experience leading multicultural teams, developing strategy, and managing projects in public and private entities in Asia, USA, Middle East, and Europe. Committed to and passionate about the education sector for the entirety of her career. Formerly, consultant at Parthenon’s education practice; Head of Strategy at Tamkeen on New York University Abu Dhabi project; Group Director of Strategy for NEMA (Abu Dhabi University Holding Company); senior consultant at ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge). Member of the People Committee of Zayed University’s Board of Trustees. INSEAD MBA ‘12D. Dartmouth BA.

Abhinav Mital is the Co-founder and Managing Director for LINC Education. LINC Education is Asia-Pacific’s leading online teaching & learning solutions provider to universities. It helps develop and deliver bespoke online qualifications for domestic and international students. LINC also operates The WorldGrad, the largest online TNE platform in India which offers students access to programs from over 50 global universities. Prior to this, Abhinav was a founding member and Partner at EY-Parthenon’s International Education Practice advising global higher education providers and investors on strategy, expansion, student experience, sustainability and technology. He currently serves on the operations advisory board of The Education Fund, Australia. Abhinav holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

Rohan Pasari, co-founder and CEO of Cialfo, envisioned making education accessible to 100 million students worldwide. Cialfo, an AI-driven platform, connects people, software, and data to transform global student mobility. Inspired by his own experience as an international student, Rohan founded Cialfo to bridge gaps in global education. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in the US, China, and India, Cialfo has grown rapidly under his leadership, impacting students and educators across 100+ countries. With USD 80 million in funding from top-tier investors, Cialfo is well-positioned to continue revolutionizing the future of education.

PANEL 4: Building Sustainable Education Businesses: A view from a first generation founders

Ng Yi Xian took over the reins as Group Chief Executive Officer of EtonHouse International Education Group in 2020, leading a team of over 5,000 staff and providing education to more than 25,000 students across over 100 schools in nine countries. Catering to both local and expatriate families, EtonHouse offers programmes from infant care to high school in both premium and affordable spaces. As a second-generation entrepreneur and son of founder Ng Gim Choo, he is dedicated to taking the group to greater heights. Under his leadership, the brand has expanded, with the creation of Middleton International School, providing affordable international education, and The Eton Academy, which offers high-quality academic enrichment for students from preschool to primary. He is also the driving force behind EtonHouse’s digital transformation, positioning it as a digital-first organisation with innovation at its core. Mr. Ng’s achievements have earned him recognition as one of the winners of The Next ICON Awards 2024 by ICON Singapore, celebrating his outstanding impact on the education landscape. In his personal life, he enjoys outdoor activities, adventure sports, and is a strong advocate for mindfulness, a value he actively promotes within the organisation. As a father of twin boys and a daughter, Yi-Xian navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood while overseeing the education and well-being of over 25,000 students in EtonHouse schools worldwide.”

Mr. Atul Temurnikar serves as the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Global Schools Group (GSG), a prestigious chain of K12 international schools headquartered in Singapore that has 64 campuses across 11 countries. GSG is committed to delivering top-tier education to students worldwide, preparing them for success in a global context. Mr. Temurnikar established the first school in Singapore with only 48 students, and over the last two decades, the Group has expanded into a leading premium K12 educational institution, now serving 45,000 students.  Mr. Temurnikar is an electronics engineer from NIT Nagpur and holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of East London. Before entering the education sector, he enjoyed a 16-year corporate career with global multinational companies such as IBM Asia Pacific and HCL Technologies.

Jaspal Sidhul, a Singaporean engineer, has worked in Indonesia for more than 30 years. Witnessing the education divide led him to head the country’s most reputed chain of K-12 schools operating at multiple price points under the brands “SIS” & “InspirasiSchools”. The Group’s successful journey has been through strategic partnerships with the IFC (World Bank) private equity/impact funds and a Family Office. In 2019, it was awarded the prestigious Financial Times (UK) -IFC (World Bank) award for its transformational work. Jaspal speaks regularly at international and regional conferences. The Group is on an expansion phase in and outside of Indonesia. As a first-generation founder, his commitment to sustainable educational growth provides a valuable perspective on building education businesses that cater to diverse communities.

PANEL 5: Defining and evaluating the impact of Private Capital Investment in Education

Chalothorn (Boat) Vashirakovit is a Managing Director at TPG, a leading global alternative asset manager with US$239 billion in assets under management. Based in Singapore, Boat focuses on investments in Southeast Asia. Prior to joining TPG, Boat was a Director at Lone Star Funds and was responsible for its Southeast Asia investments and businesses. He was previously Senior Vice President at Clearwater Capital Partners in Hong Kong and Consultant at Boston Consulting Group in Singapore. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and Bachelor of Science in Engineering with Honors from University of Pennsylvania.

Chee Siong Lim is a Principal at Apollo Global Management in Singapore, where he is part of the investment team for the Hybrid Value Fund (HVF). With more than 8 years of experience at Apollo where he has been involved in various investments in the education sector, Chee Siong brings a deep understanding of private capital’s role in driving impactful investments. His expertise in evaluating investment outcomes will provide valuable insights on the impact of private capital in the education sector.

Esther Chia is a corporate banking professional and the Head-of-Industry for DBS’ Professional & Consumer Services and Industrials sector coverage teams. She has over 20 years of experience working with mid to large cap corporates across various sectors including Industrials, Automotive, Retail, Education and Professional Services. She specializes in structuring diverse financing solutions that support the day-to-day operational requirements and longer term growth ambitions of her clients. These range from working capital financing and CAPEX financing, as well as acquisition and leveraged financings. Esther’s commitment to supporting sustainable growth for her clients coupled with her expertise in capital structuring will provide valuable insights into the impact of private capital investment in the education sector.

Vishal Thapliyal is a Partner at PwC with over 25 years of experience in fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, and tailored financial solutions across diverse industries in Southeast Asia and India. Known for his dedication to supporting entrepreneurs in realizing their vision, Vishal specializes in deal origination, pricing, and structuring, bringing a wealth of expertise in complex transactions, including private capital investment in sectors like education. His unique insights from advising clients in various industries make him ideal for discussions on evaluating the impact of private capital in education.

The education symposium offered unparalleled networking opportunities with senior executive leaders, fostering connections and collaborations that can drive impactful change in your organisation and beyond.

• Immerse yourself in a vibrant community focused on educational excellence.
• Gain insights from esteemed professors and industry practitioners.
• Engage with like-minded professionals to share best practices and discover new opportunities.
• Foster collaboration that sparks innovative ideas and supports practical implementation.
• Expand your network and enrich your knowledge with fresh strategies for your initiatives

This symposium was designed for visionary leaders from top institutions, EdTech pioneers shaping the future of learning, and investment professionals driving educational growth. Attendees had the opportunity to connect, forge valuable relationships, and build partnerships that will define education for the next generation.