Keynote Speakers

Christine Goh is the Director of the National Institute of Education (NIE), a University Institute of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. She steers the development and implementation of NIE policies and strategies for excellence and growth in education programmes, research, talent development and professional culture. She leads NIE in working closely with the Ministry of Education to support the country’s aspirations for teachers, school leaders, students and schools. As a member of NTU’s leadership, Christine is a member of the NTU2025 strategic plan steering committee. Christine previously served as a University Senator and a member of the NTU Advisory Board. She was the immediate past Chairperson (2018-2021) of the Association of Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network (AsTEN), which consists of teacher education institutes from ASEAN countries. Christine is also President’s Chair Professor in Education (Linguistics and Language Education). She works in the field of Applied Linguistics specialising in the domain of bilingual and second language learning. She is a widely-cited scholar of high international standing. Her work is characterised by a strong research-theory-practice nexus that speaks to both language educators and researchers. Christine has taught and led various undergraduate, pre-service, in-service and graduate programmes in linguistics and language education. As a research mentor, she has graduated over 30 Masters and PhD students. She was a co-editor of two Routledge education journals: Asia Pacific Journal of Education and Pedagogies, and currently sits on the editorial board of several applied linguistics journals and book series.

Br Armin brings with him over 34 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. He served as the Secretary of the Department of Education from June 2010 to 2016 where he led the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program. Prior to this, Br. Armin was at the helm of De La Salle University, serving as its President from April 2004 to June 2010. In previous years, he also served as President of the De La Salle University System, and several other La Salle schools. From 2017 to 2019, he returned in his post as the President of De La Salle Philippines, the network of La Salle schools in the country. In May 2019, he was appointed as the Brother Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District to oversee the operations of Lasallian communities and brothers in the district. Br Armin is a professed member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. An educator at heart, Br Armin began his teaching profession at De La Salle Lipa in Batangas where he worked as a religion teacher, homeroom adviser and campus minister from 1983-1986.

Diosdado M. San Antonio is the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction at the Department of Education. 

He holds a research PhD in Education from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He has been tasked to coordinate the ongoing review of the K to12 curriculum. 

He also attempts to find ways of ensuring that every learner achieves authentic literacy. He pushes for transparency, ethics and accountability in school governance. In addition, he believes that a strong rewards and recognition system is an effective way to encourage officials and teachers to aim for excellence. 

Furthermore, he strengthens a strong research culture towards meaningful innovations for learning. Finally, he nurtures productive partnerships with all educational stakeholders. 

San Antonio is one of the five Presidential Gawad CES Awardees for 2019 for his role in fostering a positive organizational culture in the Department of Education – CALABARZON by advocating for Transparent, Ethical and Accountable (TEA) Governance affecting 120,000 teachers serving 3.8 million learners; for nurturing an intensive and collaborative research culture in CALABARZON, allowing basic educators to implement evidence-based best practices; and for building the competencies of regional officials through its PRINCE (Proactive, Results-oriented, Intelligent, Network-building, Credible and Empowering) Model.