“Future TVET Education in the Age of AI: Driving Innovation, Preparing the Emerging Workforce, and Advancing Sustainable Development”

Dr. Ramlee Mustapha is a Professor of Technical and Vocational Education at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and a leading authority in TVET and human resource development across the Pacific Rim and East Asia.

He has held several distinguished leadership roles, including Dean of Postgraduate Studies (2010), Dean of the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (2011), President of the Asian Academic Society for Vocational Education and Training (AASVET) in 2017, and Head of the TVET and Industry Cluster under the National Professor Council (2022). In 2023, Dr. Ramlee was appointed as a member of the National TVET Council, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

With an academic foundation that spans multiple disciplines, Dr. Ramlee holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama, an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Eastern New Mexico University, an M.Sc. in Industrial Technology, and a Ph.D. in Technical and Vocational Education from Purdue University.

A prolific scholar, he has authored over 150 academic articles and 10 books, contributing extensively to the discourse on vocational education, workforce development, and industry-driven training. His research and advisory work have significantly influenced national policies and international best practices in TVET.

Dr. Mohd Khairul Ikhwan Ahmad is an accomplished academic and researcher at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), with expertise spanning electrical engineering, robotics, control systems, and FES-based stroke rehabilitation. His scholarly work emphasizes the integration of robotics and smart technologies into solutions that directly improve quality of life and societal well-being.

Beyond academia, Dr. Ikhwan leads the Robotic and Smart City Unit at Cybersolution Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (CTSB), where he pioneers the application of AI, IoT, and GIS to design sustainable, data-driven urban strategies. His dual roles enable him to bridge rigorous academic research with practical industry innovation—ensuring that technological progress is not only scientifically sound but also deeply impactful in real-world contexts.

Through this synergy, he has contributed to advancing intelligent governance, enhancing public service delivery, and shaping the vision of inclusive and sustainable smart cities. Dr. Ikhwan’s work exemplifies how strong collaborations between academia and industry can unlock innovation that transforms communities and strengthens national competitiveness.