Personal Highlights:

• Sustainability Legend Award – Global Scholars & Leaders Support Network (GSLSN), African Union.
• Social Commentator and National-level Opinion Leader – National radio channel: Kool 101 FM Malaysia.
• International-level Keynote Speaker – 3rd International Conference on Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics 2024 (ICMAL 2024) and the 5th Language Invention, Innovation, and Design Exposition 2024 (LIID 2024), Malaysia.
• International-level Keynote Speaker – 7th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research Studies and Education (ICMDRSE-2024), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• International-level Academic and Trainer – Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, State of Kelantan, Malaysia.
• External Evaluator and Auditor – Bachelor of Arts in English for International Communication at the Kulliyyah of Languages and Management, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
• International-level Academic and Trainer – International Centre for Education for Islamic Finance (INCEIF), INCEIF University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Inspirational Success Story:

Associate Professor Dr. Airil Haimi Mohd Adnan is notable for his transformative leadership in Malaysian and ASEAN education through three key achievements. First, his leadership roles nationally and internationally. In Malaysia, other than being a senior lecturer, he currently serves as Thought Leader and Research Fellow at the Ministry of Human Resources together with being consultant and advisor to many institutions and organisations. He recently completed his 2-year special attachment as Senior Principal Assistant Director at the Academic Excellence Division, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. Internationally, he is a Senior Academic Fellow and Adjunct Lecturer / Researcher in Indonesia, India and Greece, and he holds the title of Professor (III) at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Second, his progressive leadership in integrating Education 4.0 technologies into Malaysian and ASEAN universities is groundbreaking. Through initiatives like the ELSA 360°-Videos Project and virtual reality immersion programs, he has helped Malaysian and Indonesian higher education institutions transition into the digital age. His research publications and implementations of these technologies show his ability to bridge theoretical frameworks with actual classroom innovation for the benefit of all. Third, his track record of academic leadership positions is noteworthy including as Deputy Dean for Student Affairs & Alumni, Head of Centre for Studies at the Academy of Language Studies and Chief Coordinator at Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia (UiTM) together with being Senior Fellow – demonstrates his capability to drive institutional change at multiple levels. His ability to serve simultaneously in academic and administrative roles while maintaining research productivity sets him apart from others.
His leadership impact is evidenced through three significant accomplishments:

1.  Strategic Innovation: As the first Head of Centre for Studies at the Academy of Language Studies in the state of Perak (2018-2019), he pioneered the integration of Education 4.0 technologies. This included implementing innovative projects like ELSA 360°-Videos and virtual reality experiences, revolutionising language education delivery across the institution. His leadership in this area led to the academy winning the ‘Best-in-show’ Dean’s (Diamond) Award at an international competition in 2019.
2. Crisis Management: As Deputy Dean for Student Affairs & Alumni (2020-2021), he successfully led student support services during the challenging COVID-19 transition period, demonstrating adaptable leadership during unprecedented circumstances. This included developing comprehensive online learning support systems and student welfare initiatives. His expertise in technology proved invaluable in ensuring academic continuity while maintaining quality, as evidenced by him receiving the Open Distance Learning (ODL) Award from UiTM.
3. Educational Technology Leadership: As Head of Unit for Language Education & Innovation and Acting Head of Unit for Innovative Delivery in Language Teaching (2021), he established new frameworks for technology-enhanced learning, resulting in the academy’s successful pivot to online and hybrid education models. His leadership in this area included developing the ’60 seconds Video Learning’ initiative to facilitate Flipped Classrooms and Blended Learning, which has since been adopted across multiple departments. His ability to implement systematic changes while maintaining stakeholder support demonstrated exceptional change management skills. The success of his initiatives is reflected not only in institutional awards but also in numerous international recognitions including collaborations with institutions in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Dr. Airil can bring inspiration to the ASEAN education community through his track record of transformative leadership across nations:

1. Cross-Cultural Educational Leadership. His concurrent roles as Professor III at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Adjunct International Academic Fellow at Universitas Terbuka Indonesia, and senior Thought Leader position at the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources showcase his ability to inspire cross-border educational collaboration. His experience in leading educational initiatives across Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines and India positions him uniquely to inspire international educational cooperation.
2. Innovation in Educational Technology. His leadership in pioneering Education 4.0 and 5.0 initiatives has inspired several institutions to modernise their approach to education. For example, his ELSA 360°-Videos Project and virtual reality immersion programs have become models for educational innovation particularly in video-based learning (VbL). His ability to translate technological concepts into practical educational applications has inspired other educators (like myself) to embrace new teaching methodologies, as demonstrated by the widespread adoption of his initiatives.
3. Policy and Practice Integration. His recent role as Senior Principal Assistant Director at the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, combined with his extensive academic experience, allows him to inspire change at both policy and practical levels. His success in leading the RM200,000 ‘Teaching-Learning Cycle for Knowledge Scaffolding’ White Paper project demonstrates his ability to inspire systemic change at the national level whilst ensuring practical implementation. The inspirational impact of his work is further validated by his extensive media presence with over 200 television and radio appearances across ASEAN countries, where he shares some of his social scientific insights.

Evidence of works: