The ISfTE 2025 Election committee has completed the first round of its work.
Six individuals, who met the criteria for the positions, were nominated and submitted statements for the four Member-at-Large positions and one Secretary General position.
The candidate for the Secretary General position is:
- Kezang Sherab, Associate Professor, Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan
The five candidates (in alphabetic order) for the four Members-at-Large positions are:
- Vera Lucia Felicetti, Professor, Universidade de Planalto Catarinense and Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Hamza Omari Mokiwa, PhD, University of South Africa, South Africa
- Seloamoney Palaniandy (Dr.Selva), Professor, University of Goroka, Malaysia/ Papua New Guinea
- P Janardhana Kumar Reddy, PhD, Head – Department of Education,(Rtd) Bharathiar University, Coimbatore- India &Academic Director CKRM College of Teacher Education, Wayanad, Kerala, India
- Kemma Tsujino, Associate Professor, Osaka Metropolitan University, Graduate School of Literature & Human Sciences, Japan
Below find candidate statements:
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Secretary-General Nominee: Kezang Sherab
Title: Associate Professor, Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan
Statement: I am honored to present my candidacy for the position of Secretary General (SG) of the International Society for Teacher Education (ISfTE). Having been associated with this esteemed organization since 2004, I have developed a profound understanding and appreciation for its mission and values. Over the past two decades, I have actively participated in nine ISfTE seminars (2008 Australia, 2012, Bhutan, 2013, Hongkong, 2014 Turkey, 2019 Canada, 2022 Brazil, 2023 Bhutan, 2024 USA, and 2025 Norway) and publications in JISTE where I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaborative professional development and the exchange of innovative educational practices.
I have convened two ISfTE seminars in Bhutan (2012 and 2023). These events helped strengthened our global network of educators. ISfTE membership has grown after these two events. The collaboration with Adamas University in India is a notable outcome, resulting in enriched academic exchanges and joint research initiatives. Moreover, policy influences from these seminars have led to improved educational frameworks and practices.
Serving two terms on the Executive Board, I have had opportunity to work collaboratively with esteemed colleagues from around the world to advance our shared goals. This experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of the inner workings of ISfTE and the ability to navigate the complexities of organizational leadership.
My vision for the organization includes a three-year strategic plan focused on member engagement,
outreach, and research. I aim to enhance member engagement through regular interactive sessions,
expand outreach to attract new members, and promote research by facilitating collaborative projects
and publications.
I believe in the power of education to create positive change and am committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and innovative environment within ISfTE. Personally, I look forward to connecting with voting members to seek their input on what they would like to see from ISfTE’s future leadership.
In conclusion, my long-standing association with ISfTE, extensive experience in seminar participation and convening, and my tenure on the EC make me a strong candidate for the position of SG. I am eager to contribute my skills, experience, and passion to lead ISfTE into a future of continued growth and success.
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Member-at-Large Nominee: Vera Lucia Felicetti
Title: Professor, Universidade de Planalto Catarinense and Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Statement: I am interested in being re-elected to the ISfTE Executive board. I have been part of ISfTE since 2010, when the seminar took place in Brazil at the Pontifical Catholic of Rio Grande do Sul. I was a doctoral student at the time. I have attended ISfTE regularly since 2010 and have learned a lot about education, research, culture and friendship. I propose to help ISfTE in whatever way it needs to continue being a strong society that studies numerous aspects related to teacher training in order to improve educational quality around the world.
I look forward to serving the Society for another 3-year term.
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Member-at-Large Nominee: Hamza Omari Mokiwa
Title: Professor, Department of Science and Technology Education, University of South Africa, South Africa
Statement: I, Prof. Hamza Omari Mokiwa, from the University of South Africa, am honoured to
nominate myself for the position of Member-at-Large at the International Society for Teacher
Education (ISfTE). With a strong commitment to education and global collaboration, I am
well-suited to contribute to ISfTE’s success.
Throughout my career, I have actively participated in ISfTE, attending seminars in Kruger
National Park, South Africa, and Ogden, Utah, USA. This involvement has provided me with
valuable insights into global educational challenges and opportunities and allowed me to build
strong professional relationships with educators and researchers.
As a Member-at-Large, I will bring my extensive experience and expertise to the ISfTE
Executive Board, actively participating in meetings and decision-making processes. I will also
serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary-General, providing support and guidance on
matters impacting ISfTE.
My priorities include promoting inclusivity and diversity within ISfTE by creating
opportunities for underrepresented groups to participate in ISfTE activities. Additionally, I
will advocate for the integration of innovative teaching methodologies and technologies in
seminars and workshops to better prepare educators for evolving student needs.
I am excited about the prospect of serving as a Member-at-Large and am committed to
contributing to ISfTE’s growth and development.
Thank you for considering my nomination.
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Member-at-Large Nominee: Seloamoney Palaniandy (Dr.Selva)
Title: Professor, University of Goroka, Malaysia/ Papua New Guinea
Statement: I will be returning to Papua New Guinea to take up my earlier position as a professor with the Faculty of Education, University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea, effective June 2025.
Under the general circumstances, the university does not allow its expatriates to go for overseas activities. However, with possible appointment as a Member-at-large, I will have a strong reason for my continuous attendance with ISfTE. This is my primary reason for the nomination.
For your information, I have been a staunch member of ISfTE since I joined the organization, and had never failed to attend the annual event to date. However, never nominated myself for any position with ISfTE.
With a strong interest in the organization, I organized the first Reginal Conference ISfTE Asia Pacific 2016 (21st -23rd November) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was a very successful seminar which attracted a total of 120 participants both from the local and international arena. The seminar accounted for and opened up a large number of new memberships.
I have been an ongoing reviewer for the ISfTE Journal publications closely working with the editors.
If everything goes well, I am planning to bring ISfTE to Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific, by hosting the event in Port Moresby, PNG for the year 2027.
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Member-at-Large Nominee: P Janardhana Kumar Reddy
Title: PhD, Head – Department of Education,(Rtd) Bharathiar University, Coimbatore- India &Academic Director CKRM College of Teacher Education, Wayanad, Kerala, India
Statement: As a proud member of ISfTE, I have been constantly gaining enriching learning experiences through its conferences. Once again serving as members at large of International Society for Teacher Education carries significant responsibility, as it involves active participation in shaping the future of teacher education on a global scale. I would like to play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from diverse cultural and educational contexts.
One of the primary responsibilities for me is to engage in knowledge-sharing and professional development. This includes attending international conferences, workshops, and seminars to stay informed on the latest research, trends, and best practices in teacher education and contribute to the ongoing discourse around improving teaching methods, curriculum design, and pedagogical strategies.
Additionally, i am expected to contribute to the dissemination of research and findings. This involves in publishing articles, presenting at events, or offering insights into emerging issues in education. I also collaborate on research projects that focus on pressing challenges in teacher training, educational policy, and classroom practice, and they contribute to shaping the policies and frameworks that guide global educational standards.
A significant aspect of my role and membership is advocating for the improvement and reform of teacher education systems worldwide. This responsibility extends to supporting initiatives that promote educational equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that teacher education programs are accessible, responsive to the needs of all students, and culturally relevant through ISfTE.
I would play a role in mentoring and supporting the next generation of educators, sharing their expertise and experiences to help young teachers grow in their professional journey and to bridge gaps between theory and practice, providing resources and strategies to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Ultimately, being given an opportunity for seco0nd time as a members at large of an International Society for Teacher Education involves being a part of a collective effort to create a more informed, inclusive, and effective global educational community, advocating for the professionalization of teaching and the continuous development of teachers to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
I aspire to be a part of its upcoming expert committee of Members-at-Large, which will focus on managing ISfTE’s operations, providing advice on resolving its operational issues and various other associated tasks and duties.
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Member-at-Large Nominee: Kemma Tsujino
Title: Associate Professor, Osaka Metropolitan University, Graduate School of Literature & Human Sciences, Japan
Statement: I would like to continue my candidacy for this election of the Members-at-Large from the last term of the 2022-2025 and contribute further to the ISfTE. Since I first attended the annual international seminar of the ISfTE 2012 in Bhutan, I have been fascinated by this globally open academic society with the harmonious atmosphere. What I will do for ISfTE in the future is especially to encourage more people from diverse countries to participate in this society. I believe that more diverse cultural backgrounds will develop research in the ISfTE as the global academic society. For the purpose of this, I would like to keep focusing on the following activities:
- Listen to the voices from the ISfTE members in order to know create more comfortable environments for every member.
- Learn the history of the ISfTE in order to clarify the present features and issues for further development.
- Collaborate with the ISfTE members in order to share our research widely in the world.
I myself am a non-native speaker of English, therefore I would like to carry my responsibility to encourage non-native future members, because it is one of the core spirits of the ISfTE, which I have felt is fundamentally different from other academic societies.
