Category: Delegate

Dr Ammar Al Balushi

I am a consultant, entrepreneur, researcher, and educator based in Oman with extensive industrial and academic experience in the tourism and hospitality industries. My academic journey includes a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, a Master’s in International Management, and a PhD in Management, specialising in marketing and tourism development. Additionally, I have completed specialisation in market research, strategy, branding, and consumer behavior.

My teaching portfolio spans various disciplines and audiences, from hotel employees of diverse nationalities to undergraduate and postgraduate students at Glasgow Caledonian University – London Campus, University of Essex – UK, and Majan University College – Oman.

I have collaborated with various Omani government bodies and led the revival and transformation of two hospitality firms in Oman, the development of Majan University College’s brand identity, development and management of the MBA (Arabic medium) and development of undergraduate programmes. My participation in international exhibitions such as ITB Berlin, Arabian Travel Market (Dubai), and The Hospitality Show (UK) has enriched my global perspective.

Currently, I serve as the Deputy Dean for Postgraduate Studies, Enterprise, and Innovation at Majan University College, where I oversee the institution’s postgraduate strategy, innovation ecosystem, and entrepreneurship blueprint. I also lead the marketing and business development portfolios, focusing on commercialisation, intellectual property, and academic-industry collaboration. My mission is to position Majan University College as a regional leader in postgraduate innovation and sustainability through strategic partnerships, applied research, and digital transformation.

My research interests include tourism development, marketing strategy, branding, innovation, and the integration of emerging technologies in management and education—particularly within the GCC context.

Dr Iana Sabatovych

Iana (pronounced as “e-YAH-nuh”) is a Research Culture Manager at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom. Her vision is to drive high standards of research and culture of collaboration through policy work, guidance, and professional development. Iana is passionate about continuous learning and connecting with people – a cornerstone of her work of supporting postgraduate researchers and members of academic staff.

Dr Jaikumar Mayakrishnan

Dr. M. Jaikumar is an accomplished academic leader and researcher with over 23 years of experience in teaching, research, and international collaboration. As the Head of the Department of Automobile Engineering and Dean of International Affairs at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), he has been instrumental in advancing academic excellence, fostering global partnerships, and promoting innovation in automotive research.

His areas of expertise include alternative fuels, emission control, vehicle safety, and sustainable mobility systems. He has published over 70 Scopus-indexed papers, filed a patent on dual-fuel engine design, and guided multiple doctoral scholars. Dr. Jaikumar has successfully led prestigious funded projects under the European Union’s International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) and the DAAD (Germany), focusing on traffic infrastructure and vehicle safety innovations.

Under his leadership, the Department of Automobile Engineering at HITS has established significant industry collaborations, including the Royal Enfield Experiential Training Hub and partnerships with GARC and other global institutions.

A recipient of several accolades including the Young Teacher Award, Collaborative Research Promotion Award, and Covid Warrior Award, Dr. Jaikumar continues to inspire academic and research excellence. His vision emphasizes integrating sustainability, technology, and global cooperation to shape the future of automotive education and research.

Dr Regina Aichinger

Dr Vorasiri de Cadenet

Dr. Vorasiri de Cadenet is a Lecturer at the School of Environmental Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand, and Head of the Greenhouse Gas Management Unit (Validation & Verification Body). She specializes in carbon footprint assessment, sustainable materials, and climate action policy for educational and industrial sectors.

Vorasiri holds a Ph.D. in Process and Environmental Engineering from INSA Toulouse, France, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. With over 15 years of combined experience in academia, research, and industry—including positions at Veolia Water (France) and Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand)—she has led multiple national projects on greenhouse gas reduction, circular economy transformation, and green productivity for SMEs.

Her current research focuses on low-carbon construction materials, carbon management systems, and climate resilience strategies for local communities. She also serves as a national trainer for carbon footprint verification under Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) and as a program leader for UNESCO’s “Climate Action and Carbon Management for Educational Institutions.”

Vorasiri is passionate about integrating science, education, and innovation to accelerate Thailand’s transition toward carbon neutrality. She continues to champion the role of universities as catalysts for sustainable development, emphasizing capacity building and inclusive participation across sectors.

Ms. Nilobon Kijkrailas

Nilobon Kijkrailas is a seasoned creative professional with over 25 years of experience in branding, graphic design, and illustration across Thailand, Spain, and the United States. She holds a Postgraduate Degree in Creative Illustration from EINA School of Art and Design in Barcelona, where she graduated top of her class, along with degrees from UC Berkeley and Silpakorn University.

Her career highlights include serving as Senior Brand and Marketing Communication Manager at Plan Creations, Art Director at the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, and Senior Designer in San Francisco-based agencies such as Fine Design Group and Landor Associates. As a freelance illustrator, her works have been published internationally and featured at the Bologna Illustrator Exhibition. Nilobon has also received numerous design awards from organizations such as AIGA, Creativity Magazine, and Print Magazine

Marisa Panyachiva

A lawyer by background, Marisa Panyachiva joined the United Nations in 2006. In her current role, she provides substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of partnerships for the UN in Thailand. She facilitates dialogues with government, the private sector, civil society, academia and other relevant stakeholders to improve development assistance policies and practices.

She also brings with her experience at the regional level having worked 15 years with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) in the area of developing capacity development strategies and supporting programme management. Prior to joining the UN, she was a finance lawyer with Baker & McKenzie.

She obtained her first degree in law from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, and has a master’s in law from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Georgetown University Law Center in Washington DC, US.

Ms Bonnie Daniels

Bonnie Daniels is the Innovation Officer at the University of Bradford, where she leads initiatives to foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange across staff and students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Product Design and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Newcastle University, giving her a strong interdisciplinary foundation for technology transfer, innovation and product development. In her role, she delivers intellectual property workshops, helps to create and support spinouts and licensing opportunities, guides inventions along the commercial pipeline and is especially engaged in the transfer of software (AI), exploring both their potential applications and the challenges they raise from an IP and commercialisation perspective. Bonnie works across all faculties, including Engineering, the Centre for Space AI and the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT) and has developed strong collaborative relationships with academics to support research translation and impact.

Alongside her university role, she is part of a company developing sustainable footwear from recyclable materials, reflecting her wider interest in innovation, STEM and sustainable design.

Dr. Shobha B N

Dr. B. N. Shobha is the Principal of BGS Institute of Technology (BGSIT), part of the Faculty of Engineering, Management & Technology at BG Nagara, Karnataka. She holds M.Tech and Ph.D. degrees, and brings over 30 years of experience in academia. Under her leadership, Dr. Shobha has made significant contributions to research, having published and co‑authored multiple papers in international and national journals and conferences.

She has secured competitive funding (including support from AICTE and KSCST), and been instrumental in establishing advanced infrastructure such as the AICTE IDEA Lab and a satellite communication ground station at BGSIT. Her work also includes obtaining patents in areas spanning deep learning‑based medical diagnostics, wireless sensor networks, and even astronaut shoe design. Beyond research, she is deeply involved in academic administration, serving on numerous professional bodies, councils, and committees, and has been recognised with various awards for her academic, administrative, and research achievements.

Atty. Paisalin Tago

Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA, is a highly accomplished and distinguished public servant, legislator, and legal professional who now serves as the 9th Regular President of the Mindanao State University (MSU) System. He advocates inclusive development, social justice, and education as a tool for empowerment. As a fellow of the East-West Center’s New Generation Seminar in Hawaii, he represented the Philippines among a global cohort of emerging leaders, further enriching his cross-cultural and policy perspectives. With over three decades of leadership experience, he has served in various capacities across regional and national government. He was a sitting Member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, and formerly served as Deputy Speaker. Also as Minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in the Bangsamoro Government in the Philippines, he led institutional reforms and infrastructure initiatives to improve connectivity and mobility across the BARMM region. He also served as Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and as a consultant to the Senate during the deliberations on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He also served as a Board of Administrator in the Cooperative Development Authority. His legislative portfolio reflects a comprehensive vision for human development—authoring landmark measures on education, public health, science and technology, peacebuilding, institutional reform, and cultural preservation.

As a university president, he brings with him not only his experience in public policy, but a deep respect for the role of education in nation-building. He has consistently advocated for greater investments in scholarships, teacher training, research, and institutional excellence. He believes that Mindanao State University can become a global hub of academic innovation, cultural exchange, and peace education—anchored in service to the people of Mindanao and the Bangsamoro. He bridges multiple worlds: the legal and the academic, the bureaucratic and the cultural, the local and the global.