Emeritus Professor Dato' Dr Aminah Ayob (Perak, Malaysia)

Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr Aminah Ayob is a professor of Education at Sultan Idris Education University (SIEU), where she headed the varsity as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and International from 2006-2008, and as Vice Chancellor from 2008 to 2011. Before coming to SIEU, Professor Aminah was Dean of the School of Educational Studies at University Science Malaysia in Penang. Throughout her academic career, she has conducted various research projects on science education and the learning and development of children, and has been on education policy committees both at the national and international level. In 2006, Professor Aminah led a team of experts in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to develop a national curriculum, the PERMATA Negara, and training modules for ECCE professionals. As the Chairman of the Technical Committee for PERMATA, she is currently conducting research on STEM Education for PERMATA children, in which she and her team developed the ‘Project-based Inquiry Learning’ pedagogy: a four-phase, integrated, whole-brain learning technique of teaching STEM to young learners.

Field: Early Childhood Education, Science Education, Cognitive Development

Associate Professor Dr. Yeo Kee Jiar (Johor, Malaysia)

Associate Professor Dr. Yeo Kee Jiar has been a lecturer attached to Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor since 1998. She began her career as a school teacher in Kuching, Sarawak. She advanced to her next academic position as lecturer in two Teachers’ Training Colleges. Soon after earning her Master Degree from UTM, Skudai, she continued her academician career in the current university in the field of Educational Psychology. With background in Malay Language Studies and her qualification in Educational Psychology as well as her vast experience and involvement in the field of education, her expertise and interest covers a wide scope which includes educational psychology, school psychology, early childhood education, educational assessment, and special education. Her academic and professional endeavour that includes teaching, research, publication and consultation are around these areas. Her notable achievements or awards include as a Munsyi Dewan under Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Malay for The Institute of Language and Literature) (abbreviated DBP), Head of Monitoring Team of a national early childhood Program called PERMATA NEGARA for Johor state, National Panel of Quality for PERMATA Program, consultant on development of psychometric instrumentation and early childhood project and professional sharing with many organizations and educational institutions in courses, workshops, and seminars. Throughout her service in UTM, she has received a number of awards related to her service and research at university and national levels. She is also actively involved in the movement of Down Syndrome association in Malayisa She has been leading a few research with grants and published in many journals and written a few books mainly on Bahasa Malaysia for school students.

Field: Early Childhood Education, Science Education, Cognitive Development