VNU University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam

Prof. David Evans is a distinguished academic and researcher in Special and Inclusive Education at the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, The University of Sydney. He has extensive experience in pre-service teacher education and postgraduate professional learning, supporting educators to develop the knowledge and skills required to design inclusive educational programmes for students with diverse learning needs.

His research focuses particularly on inclusive education, special educational needs, teacher attitudes and self-efficacy, evidence-based educational practices, curriculum design, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). His research has included studies conducted in Australia and internationally, including work involving Indonesia, mainland China and Saudi Arabia.

Prof. Evans is the Convenor of the Special and Inclusive Education designation at the University of Sydney, which provides specialist education and professional development for preservice and postgraduate students. He also contributes actively to professional learning programmes for teachers, including initiatives addressing learning support, literacy and numeracy, student behaviour, and inclusive classroom practices. His academic work and professional engagement reflect a strong commitment to educational inclusion, student wellbeing, equitable learning opportunities, and evidence-informed practice, making his expertise highly relevant to contemporary School Psychology and inclusive education in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prof. Michiko Ishikawa, is Professor of Psychology, Tokyo University of Social Welfare, Japan. She has a Master’s in Education from Aichi University of Education, Japan, and a Doctorate Degree in Psychology from Nagoya University, Japan. Presently she is Professor (Specially Appointed Professor) at the Department of Contemporary Business, Nagoya Sangyo University. She has held positions as Professor, Graduate School, Tokoha University (Apr 2016 - Mar 2021), Professor, Graduate School, Kyoto University of Education (Apr 2014 - Mar 2016), and Professor, Faculty of Education, Bukkyo University. She started her career as a High school teacher, Aichi Prefectural Board of Education (2 years in Junior High School and High School as a Branch School) (April 1978 - March 2014). She is an Editorial Consultant of the International Journal of Asia Pacific School Psychology. She is a member of Gifu Prefecture - Bullying Prevention Study Council in Japan. She regularly publishes research papers in reputed journals.

Dr.VSR Vijayakumar is a Senior Professor of Organizational Behavior and Management from the Institute of Management Technology-Nagpur. He has a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Madras and an MA in Psychology from Presidency College, Madras. His research interests are in Managerial Psychology, Organizational Culture, and Management styles. He also presented and published many research papers and articles in various international conferences and journals. He is the chief mentor of Skills grow. He has served in several institutions such as Madras Christian College, PSG College of Arts and Science, Department of the Psychology University of Madras, Kirloskar Institute of Advanced Management Studies, ICFAI Business School as a faculty member, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indore, and as Senior Professor of Organizational Behavior and Management from Institute of Management Technology-Nagpur.

Prof. Weiss is a clinical psychologist and Research Professor of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and previously served as Director of Clinical Training for Vanderbilt’s doctoral psychology program.

Internationally recognized for his work in global mental health, Dr. Weiss focuses on child and adolescent psychopathology, cross-cultural interventions, and mental health capacity building in Southeast Asia. He played an instrumental role in establishing Vietnam’s first evidence-based Ph.D. program in clinical psychology and serves as a Visiting Foreign Professor at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, Vietnam. His research investigates how cultural contexts shape adolescent aggression, coping mechanisms, and mental health outcomes following adverse childhood experiences. By evaluating culturally adapted therapies and advising on national standards like clinical licensure in Vietnam, Dr. Weiss bridges psychological science and global community mental health implementation.

Assoc. Prof. Nam Tran is clinical psychologist, and educational leader serving as Rector of the VNU University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam). He earned his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University in the United States. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Nam has dedicated his research to clinical psychology, school mental health, adolescent behavioral interventions, and parent-child educational dynamics

Beyond administrative and teaching roles, Dr. Nam is a widely recognized public intellectual in Vietnam. He frequently contributes expert insights on educational reform, modern parenting, school psychology, and student career guidance across media platforms and educational forums. At VNU University of Education, his leadership continues to bridge international psychological research with practical applications to improve mental health support and pedagogical strategies in Vietnamese education.

She is a psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Alcohol & Drug Foundation NSW – Kathleen York House, a specialist residential rehabilitation service supporting women experiencing substance use disorders, including mothers who reside with their children during treatment.

With more than 40 years of clinical and leadership experience across India, Germany and Australia, Dr. Nithyanandam brings an international perspective to psychology, alcohol and other drug treatment, disability services, and women- and family-inclusive care. She holds a PhD in Applied Psychology from the University of Madras, with professional training and experience in Germany.

Her professional interests include psychology, substance use, trauma, mindfulness, mind-body approaches, women’s wellbeing, culture and family-inclusive practice. She has contributed to research, professional resources and conferences and has held leadership roles with the Australian Psychological Society and the NSW AOD sector.

She currently serves on the Board of the Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre and previously served on the NADA Board. Her contribution to the sector was recognised with the NADA Outstanding Contribution to the Sector Award (2025).