Prof. Saurabh Sinha, IEEE Fellow
University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Saurabh Sinha obtained his B.Eng, M.Eng, and Ph.D. degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa (ZA). Prof Sinha is also a graduate of Wharton’s Advanced Management Program, University of Pennsylvania, USA (alum status). As an established researcher rated by the National Research Foundation, ZA, he has authored or co-authored over 140 publications in peer-reviewed journals, books and proceedings of international conferences. Prof Sinha served UP and the University of Johannesburg (UJ), ZA, for over 22 years – initially as an academic (at various tiers), and then as institute director, executive dean and deputy vice-chancellor. Prof Sinha moved to New Zealand in mid-2023, retaining visiting affiliations at both UJ (Business School and Engineering) and Princeton University (Engineering), USA. At the University of Canterbury, NZ, reporting directly to the vice-chancellor and principal, Prof Sinha leads the Faculty of Engineering as Executive Dean. Among his many achievements, Prof Sinha is a Fellow of the IEEE, recipient of a prestigious U.S. Fulbright grant, and has formerly served as IEEE Board of Director and Vice-President. He is registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineering New Zealand.

Prof. Xinguo Yu, IEEE Senior Member
The chair of Hubei Society of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Education.
Central China Normal University, China

Dr. Yu Xinguo is the dean of CCNU Wollongong Joint Institute and a professor of National Engineering Research Center for E-Learning at Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China. He is a senior member of both IEEE and ACM, and an adjunct professor of University of Wollongong, Australia. He is a vice director of Smart Educational Technology Branch Society under Automation Society in China, and the chair of Hubei Society of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Education. He received B.Sc. degree in Mathematics from Wuhan University of Technology, M. Eng degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, another M. Eng. degree from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from National University of Singapore. His current research mainly focuses on intelligent educational technology, educational robotics, multimedia analysis, computer vision, and machine learning. He has published over 130 research papers and his research papers have been widely cited by experts at home and abroad. He is an Associate Editor of International Journal of Digital Crime and Forensics, Guest Editor of several SCI journals, currently a guest editor of special issue: Humanized Computing and Reasoning in Teaching and Learning (https://www.techscience.com/CMES/special_detail/hcrtl). He was general chairs or program chairs for more than 10 international conferences.

Prof. Zehui Zhan
South China Normal University, China

Prof. Zehui Zhan is a Professor at the School of Information Technology in Education, South China Normal University. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from South China Normal University and Florida State University. With a strong background in Physics and Digital Media, Prof. Zhan has led numerous funded projects and published extensively in the fields of educational technology, computational thinking, and innovative talent development. Prof. Zhan’s research has significantly contributed to the understanding of STEM education and pedagogical strategies in smart classrooms.

Prof. Xuesong Zhai
Director of the Program of Science and Technology Education at the College of Education
Zhejiang University, China

Xuesong Michael Zhai is a Distinguished Research professor and Director of the Program of Science and Technology Education at the College of Education, Zhejiang University. He also served as the director of Zhejiang Higher Education Digitalization Pilot Group. His research interests encompass Artificial Intelligence in Education, Educational Applications of the Metaverse, and Educational Data Analysis and Measurements. In 2023, he was honored with the Distinguished Researcher Award by the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI). Dr. Zhai currently serves as an Associate Editor on the section of Technology and Learning for the Nature Portfolio journal, Humanity and Social Science Communications(SSCI,A&HCI), and as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies(SSCI,SCI,EI) , and the area editor of International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems(SCI,EI) handling the area of information system in Education. He has authored over 80 research papers in indexed journals, including Humanity and Social Science Communications, Educational Technology & Society (ET&S), Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D), Interactive Learning Environments (ILE), Higher Education, and the Journal of Computer Assisted Learning.

Prof. Ozcan Gulacar
University of California at Davis, USA

Dr. Ozcan Gulacar is a distinguished educator and researcher specializing in STEM education, with a focus on innovative teaching strategies and interdisciplinary approaches. He serves as a Professor of Teaching in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, where he has been a faculty member since 2015. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Science Education, a Master’s in Physical Chemistry, and a Bachelor’s in Chemical Education. Dr. Gulacar’s work integrates real-world socio-scientific issues into chemistry education, emphasizing sustainability, systems thinking, and practical applications to inspire student engagement. His research spans cognitive development, problem-solving, and STEM equity, reflected in numerous publications and multi-million-dollar grant projects funded by the National Science Foundation and other organizations. His efforts have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the UC Davis Distinguished Teaching Award, AAAS Fellow designation, and Fulbright Specialist Awards. Beyond research, Dr. Gulacar actively mentors students, fostering collaboration on scholarly projects and preparing them to tackle global challenges. He is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences, addressing sustainability in education and cognitive science’s role in learning. A leader in curriculum design and faculty development, Dr. Gulacar’s transformative contributions continue to shape STEM education, inspiring both peers and students worldwide.