Professor Ben Daniel Motidyang
Ben Kei Daniel, PhD, SMIEEE, is Professor of Computer Science and the Director of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) at the University of Northern British Columbia, BC, Canada. He is the former Head of the Department of Higher Education Development Centre at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Ben earned a joint PhD in Educational Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. His research focuses on the design, development, and effectiveness of advanced learning technologies using Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. Ben also studies effective approaches and digital tools for teaching postgraduate students and faculty research methods. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed publications, including five books. He has supervised over 50 graduate students to completion. Ben holds professional memberships with various associations, including the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), the Council of Australasian University Leaders in Learning and Teaching (CAULLT), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the International Society for Artificial Intelligence in Education (IAIED). He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Dr Sue Petratos
Dr Sue Petratos is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the School of Information Technology at Nelson Mandela University. She has been in Higher Education for more than 30 years and in leadership for the last 12 years. Her passion for education has led to a research interest in e-learning, however, it is her hands-on approach towards student-centric teaching that keeps her alert to the needs of the students. Sue has been recognized on various levels for her commitment to driving forward the enhancement of the learning and teaching experience for staff and students, including receiving the Distinguished Teacher of the Year award in 2021. She obtained her PhD Information Technology in 2017 at NMMU, after an 18-year break in studies. This led to an additional interest in the field of health informatics and the Emerging Researcher of the Year award in School of ICT, 2017. She has supervised many students on the BTech level, and also supervised/co-supervised three successfully completed MIT students, and one PhD student. Whilst her research journey started late in life, she makes no excuses, but rather uses that experience to motivate others to reach for their dreams.