Theme: At last I see the light

At this second conference, our speakers share their true stories of challenge, discovery, and hope. Through talks on art in the city, cybersecurity, global sanitation, literature and more, we’ll explore moments of clarity and creativity that have sparked change and opened possibilities. From overcoming obstacles to driving innovation, the speakers – some young, some experienced – offer insights and ideas for a brighter future. It’s a chance to reflect on the power of vision and imagination as we shape the world we want to inhabit. (Description written in collaboration with ChatGPT)

Stamford American International School
1 Woodleigh Lane
Singapore, Central Singapore, 357684
Singapore

Alice Aswin

Grade 11 student

Having undergone obstacles through her school career as an SAIS student, Alice is dedicated to fostering better learning opportunities through open-mindedness, collaboration, and consideration of complex views. Her passion for engineering, art and geopolitics as well as her diverse cultural experiences contribute to her push for an increasingly understanding world.

Elena Pertegaz

Literary expedition guide

Elena is the Head of Languages at SAIS. She has a passion for fostering global awareness and cultural empathy through literature. With more than a decade of teaching experience in diverse international contexts, she encourages students to explore the world through the stories of others, helping them see beyond borders and embrace different perspectives. Elena sees literature serving as a powerful vehicle for understanding cultures, promoting tolerance, and sparking curiosity about the world. Her mission is to inspire readers of all ages to become lifelong travellers through the pages of books.

Gavin Fuller

Academic and college counsellor

Originally raised in the UK, Gavin experienced his formative years as a boarding pupil in Scotland. After university and time working in the Civil Service, he originally qualified as a teacher and spent many years working in the heart of Bristol, West of England. After witnessing the empowering light of education, he enjoyed working in pastoral and comprehensive counselling positions in the UK, Japan and China before joining SAIS.

Marc van Loo

Safe Water Garden innovator

Dutch by birth, cosmologist by training, educator and international educational author by profession, Marc opened LooLa Adventure Resort in 2000 – which went on to become the world’s most highly decorated eco-resort. Leveraging on these eco-awards, and spurred on by the preventable death of the daughter of LooLa’s cook, LooLa’s team initiated the Safe Water Garden (SWG) concept in 2015. Endorsed by the Indonesian government, the United Nations and Temasek Trust, the SWG is now recognised as the world’s cheapest autonomous safe sanitation system. Together with an ever-growing group of passionate supporters, notably Singapore-based schools, Marc drives LooLa’s mission to bring safe sanitation to the whole world.

Mehek Kothari

Leader of Design Masters Service Club

Mehek is a Grade 10 student with a strong passion for science and mathematics, and addressing educational inequality. For her International Baccalaureate personal project, she is designing a cost-effective math-and-science kit to provide hands-on experiments and learning opportunities in underdeveloped communities of rural India. Outside of academics, Mehek enjoys music, badminton, dance, art and cross-country running.

Mou Maiti

International Baccalaureate educator

As an IB educator for more than 21 years, Mou has worn different hats, including those of Diploma Program coordinator and Theory of Knowledge examiner. She has worked in diverse environments in China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, and she believes education should be modern, contemporary and relevant. In addition, travelling and working with different people have allowed Mou to celebrate the intercultural realm of beliefs and realise that, yes, (as the IB mission statement says) other people with their differences can also be right.

Nina Zafar

Founder of UrbanSketch+

Nina is an organisational development practitioner with the Singapore government and founder of UrbanSketch+, a volunteer-run program empowering underprivileged youth through urban sketching and entrepreneurship. Through immersion in art, heritage and enterprise, the program fosters creativity and confidence, inspiring the youth to think big and dream beyond their circumstances.

Sara Fujii

Neurodiversity advocate

A member of the Senior Class at SAIS, Sara is pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma. She is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity, with a special focus on neurodiversity within the K-12 education community. In her free time, Sara enjoys singing with friends, playing the trumpet, and watching horror films at the cinema.

Shaurya Chatterjee

MUN Secretary-General & High School Student Council Secretary

A Grade 11 student and cybercrime survivor, Shaurya is dedicated to promoting digital safety. Last year he coded an AI-powered chatbot for the International Baccalaureate personal project. Building on this project, he seeks to raise awareness by sharing practical insights and strategies to empower young adults in navigating and securing their online spaces in today’s digital era.

Standa Vecera

High School Student Council Vice President

Standa has lived in Nigeria, South Africa and Japan, experiences that have shaped his adaptability, resilience and drive to understand the science of what makes us who we are. His exposure to diverse cultures and environments complements his passion for acting, where he explores the depth of human emotions and identities. As a seasoned actor, he has portrayed complex roles on international stages, uncovering the nuances of personality and behaviour—skills that also fuel his empathy and leadership in the student council. Standa’s journey bridges his curiosity about the human experience, blending science, leadership, and the art of performance.

Ying (Harue) Liu

Student of intercultural identities

Harue is a Grade 12 student studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. She is the president of the Japanese Culture Club at SAIS, promoting inclusivity and diversity based on her experience of growing up with two different cultures. She enjoys the arts, especially ballet, painting, and watching movies.