Assoc. Prof. Khairul Azhar Bin Mat Daud

Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia

Research Area: Multimedia, Cyberology, Educational Technology, Virtual Reality Technology, E-Learning.

Introduction: Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Khairul Azhar Bin Hj Mat Daud is a senior academic at the Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). He is the co-founder of the Research Ideation Canvas (RIC@) and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Creative Future and Heritage (TENIAT). With a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), he has established a strong reputation in the integration of technology in education, with a focus on innovation in teaching and learning. Dr. Khairul Azhar holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and a Master’s in Education. His research expertise lies in the application of augmented reality (AR) to enhance technical education, particularly in engineering drawing and workplace safety compliance in the manufacturing sector. He leads the Creative Technology Research Group (RG CREATE) at UMK and is actively working toward transforming it into a Centre of Excellence. His work has been recognized through numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2016 UMK Research & Innovation Exhibition, and Silver Medals at ITEX and PECIPTA. In 2014, he was awarded a postgraduate scholarship for Innovation and Entrepreneurship training at Trinity College Dublin. A dedicated researcher and mentor, Dr. Khairul Azhar continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of educational technology, driving impact across both academia and industry.

Speech Title: Perceptions of Digital Literacy Competence among English Language Instructors in Malaysia

Abstract : Digital literacy is a vital skill for educators in the 21st century, particularly for English language instructors who play a key role in integrating technology into teaching and learning. This study investigates the self-perceived digital literacy competence of English language instructors in Malaysia, addressing a gap in research that often overlooks discipline-specific needs. Grounded in the Digital Literacy Skills Framework and the TPACK model, the study examines nine key constructs of digital literacy through a quantitative survey distributed to 91 instructors selected via simple random sampling. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed mean scores ranging from 3.51 to 3.95, indicating moderate to high levels of perceived competence. The Teaching and Learning construct recorded the highest mean with minimal variability, suggesting consistent confidence among respondents. In contrast, the Problem-Solving construct showed greater variation, highlighting areas requiring further support. Overall, the findings indicate a positive perception of digital literacy competence, but also point to the need for targeted professional development, particularly in critical thinking, adaptive technology use, and digital troubleshooting. The study underscores the importance of structured training programs to bridge existing gaps and enhance the effective use of digital tools in English language instruction. These insights contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen digital competence among educators and support Malaysia’s educational advancement.

Prof. Xu Jinghong

Beijing Normal University, China

Research Area: New media and Internet governance, health communication and cross-cultural communication, film and television and games

Introduction:He is a member of the Steering Committee of Chinese Communication Association (CCA) and a Chinese and American Fulbright visiting scholar.

Title of Speech: Contextualization: A Path to Chinese Traditional News Media’s Integration into Social Media

Abstract: Meyrowitz’s media context theory proposes that new media and contexts will lead to new behaviors. This article adopts the media context theory as a theoretical framework and utilizes a textual analysis approach to analyze the middle region behaviors and contextualization strategies of the traditional Chinese news media (People’s Daily) on the social media platform Weibo. The findings reveal three of People’s Daily’s Weibo news’ innovation strategies: the middle regionalization of news contexts (live news, vlog news, chat box news); personalized production of important news (Weibo commentary, user-produced news); and equal dialogue with the public (daily greetings, holiday greetings, popularizing science). The study also indicates that traditional news media can utilize social media to consolidate communication effectiveness and reconstruct their credibility while actively participating in social governance. In light of these findings, we think that the “contextualization” strategies employed by People’s Daily on the Weibo platform offer meaningful possibilities for traditional news organizations’ integration into social media, such as exploring innovative approaches to news presentation, emphasizing audience interaction, appropriately providing “non-news content” for the audience, and maintaining a commitment to objectivity and fairness in news reporting.

Prof. Kun Dai

Shaanxi Normal University, China

Research Area:English Language Teaching, Translation Theory and Practice, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Cross-Cultural Communication, Country and Regional Studies

Title of Speech: Enjoyable, anxious, or bored? Exploring the Influence of Classroom Emotions on Academic Engagement in Chinese EFL Learners within Technology-Integrated EMI Environments

Abstract: This investigation scrutinizes the intricate relationships between classroom emotions (anxiety, boredom, and enjoyment) and the academic engagement levels of Chinese EFL learners within the educational context of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), facilitated by technological integration. A cohort of university-level EFL learners from the Chinese mainland participated in this study by completing four modified and validated questionnaires designed to evaluate their classroom emotions, levels of academic engagement, and proficiency in technology utilization. Employing a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, this research endeavored to elucidate the direct and indirect effects of learners’ emotions on their engagement, factoring in the mediating roles of EMI and technological comfort. The findings revealed significant indirect effects of emotions on academic engagement through the mediating roles of technology and EMI at a 95% confidence level, suggesting that 69% of the variance in academic engagement can be ascribed to the interplay between emotional experiences and perceptions of EMI and technology. The findings of this study advocate for the significant mediating roles of EMI and technology in the nexus between emotional states and academic engagement, proposing that elevated levels of positive emotions are likely to foster greater academic engagement through these mediating pathways. The implications of these findings extend to pedagogical strategies, curriculum development, and the crafting of language instruction enhanced by technology.

Assoc. Prof. Seevan Saeed

Shaanxi Normal University, China

Research Area:Middle East History, History and International Relations

Introduction: Dr Seevan Saeed is Associate Professor in the Middle East Studies, Turkish Studies in the Centre for Black Sea Studies at Shaanxi Normal University- China. He has received his BA degree in Sociology; High Diploma and MA in Social Policy at the University of Wolverhampton-UK, in 2003- 2008. He gained PhD in the Middle East Politics at the University of Exeter in 2015. Seevan delivered lecturers in Domestic and International Universities including Exeter University-UK 2015-2017 and Shaanxi Normal University-China since October 2017. He serves as an active member for the areas of Middle East Studies including Kurdish Studies, Turkish Studies and Belt and Road Studies. Dr Saeed has a record of publishing articles and scientific works in the peer reviewed international journals. He is able to fluently speak, read and write six widely used languages in the Middle East.

Title of Speech: The Symphony of Language and Culture: Travel Through Harmony in Cross-Cultural Communication

Abstract: Language and culture, are meticulously intertwined, shaping human thoughts and interactions in profound ways. Language acts as the vehicle of human communication, while culture provides the context that defines values, beliefs, and world-views. The famous phrase by German Philosopher René Descartes, "I think, therefore I am" encapsulates the significance of thought in establishing existence. This concept can be extended to language and culture, and as language is the expression of thought, while culture shapes that expression. In other words, Culture is an interpretation that transfers these expressions between different systems of thoughts and cultures. Under the shadow of the Concept of Cultural Intelligence, that is focusing on the main four elements of, A- Knowledge, B-Strategic Thinking, C- Motivation and D- Behaviours; this Speech tries to explore the importance of the intertwined phenomenon of Language and Culture in the context for Multiculturalism Era. The speech argues that understanding more than a language means positive ability of better understanding and communicating with more than a culture.