演讲嘉宾

Dr. Xinju He, Associate Professor

School of Business, Guangxi University, Nanning, China

Biography: Dr. Xinju He is an Associate at School of Business, Guangxi University. A Ph.D. graduate from Hong Kong Baptist University, he specializes in productivity analysis, energy-environment economics, and evaluation methods. As an NSFC-funded researcher, he has published in top journals like Operations Research and serves as a reviewer for Nature. He holds leadership roles in academic organizations and government evaluation panels.

Topic: Regular Variable Returns to Scale Production Frontier and Efficiency Measurement

Abstract: The most frequently used empirical production frontier in data envelopment analysis, the variable returns to scale frontier, has a convex technology set and displays a special structure in economics, called the regular variable returns to scale in this paper; the production technology exhibits increasing returns to scale at the beginning of the production process followed by constant returns to scale and decreasing returns to scale. When the assumption of convexity is relaxed, modeling regular variable returns to scale becomes difficult, and currently, no satisfactory solution is available in multioutput production. Overcoming these difficulties, this paper adopts a suggestion in literature to incorporate regular variable returns to scale into the free disposal hull frontier under multiple outputs. We establish a framework for analyzing regular variable returns to scale and recommend an empirical production frontier for measuring technical efficiency with such pattern and multiple outputs. In the presence of regular variable returns to scale without convexity, the value of the technical efficiency measure computed from this new frontier is closer to the “true” value than that from the free disposal hull frontier, and the conventional variable returns to scale frontier may cause misleading implications.

Dr. Laura Christ Dass, Associate Professor

Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia

Biography: Dr. Laura Christ Dass is an Associate Professor at the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree with honours from Universiti Sains Malaysia, a Master in English as a Second Language (MESL) from the University of Malaya, and a PhD in English Language Education from the University of Melbourne, Australia. With extensive experience in teaching and teacher education, she has published widely in both local and international journals and authored several academic books. Her research spans social learning theory, classroom pedagogy, and discourse studies, with a growing focus on integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into English language teaching (ELT). Dr. Dass is passionate about advancing pedagogical practices that are both socially responsive and environmentally conscious, aiming to equip learners with language skills and global citizenship awareness.

Topic: Teaching for Tomorrow: Merging Environmental Awareness with English Language Learning Through AI

Abstract: As environmental challenges escalate, the role of education must extend beyond academic success to include the development of informed, responsible global citizens. This keynote addresses the transformative potential of English language teaching (ELT) when combined with environmental education and artificial intelligence (AI). It proposes a dual-purpose model where linguistic competence is developed alongside environmental literacy, preparing students for the complex demands of the future. The session begins by exploring the environmental impact of single-use plastics, using compelling visuals and current data to establish a meaningful, real-world context. This serves as a foundation for content-based instruction, making language learning more authentic, relevant, and impactful. The keynote then demonstrates how AI tools can be harnessed to convert environmental topics into dynamic language tasks. From vocabulary and grammar to reading comprehension and critical thinking, AI enables educators to create customized, level-appropriate activities that are both engaging and pedagogically sound. By integrating sustainability themes with emerging technologies, this approach not only enriches language learning but also promotes critical thinking, active learning and a sense of global responsibility. Attendees will gain practical insights, sample AI-generated materials, and a refreshed pedagogical framework that positions English as a tool for meaningful engagement with global issues. This session is particularly relevant for language educators, curriculum designers, and education leaders committed to interdisciplinary innovation. It offers a forward-thinking vision for ELT—one that is linguistically empowering, socially conscious, and technologically informed.