Prof. Dr. Ming-kai Chin research interests lie in the integration of holistic and technology approaches to the fields of Physical Activity (PA), sports, exercise science, leisure, and health, aimed at promoting active living in schools and communities. Dr Chin received his BSc in Physical Education with Highest Honour and awarded Top Graduate in the School of Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States of America (USA) in 1977, an MEd in Administration in Physical Education & Sport with an international scholarship from Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. in 1978; his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. in 1985; and a MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, USA in 1996. His mentor/supervisor was Dr. Henry J. Montoye. Dr Chin completed his postdoctoral training under Dr. Bruno Balke in 1986 at the Aspen Institute of Sports Medicine Aspen, Colorado, USA. In 1982, as a graduate student, for three months, he travelled to different global renowned sports science institutions and laboratories in eleven European countries. These valuable international travel experiences including meeting the late Dr. P.O. Astrand and Dr. Bengt Saltin gave him professional and academic direction in promoting health and wellness across the globe.
As the first Hong Kong scholar to graduate with a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the USA, Dr. Chin returned to Hong Kong in 1986 as Head of Sports Science for 10 years. Here he established a state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory (an investment of approximately $580,000 US Dollars) and developed a sport science team of 15 to support Hong Kong’s elite athletes. The team has expertise in exercise physiology, sports psychology, sports biomechanics, sports biochemistry, and sports nutrition. From 2002-2005, he served as the Course Director for Sports Medicine and Sports Science specifically established for elite coaches, the Hong Kong Olympic Academy, and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.
In 1996 while serving as Head and Principal Lecturer in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (now The Education University of Hong Kong), Dr Chin promoted the integration of teaching physical education (PE) and the merging of PE and health into a school curriculum for children and youth. Once again at HKIEd, he built another state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory (an investment of $962,000 US Dollars) to focus and facilitate the importance of incorporating theory and practice into sports science and to support teaching of PA and sport in PE classes. During his 10 years of service at HKIEd, Dr Chin supervised 600 PE lessons in primary and secondary education. He initiated the first B.Ed. (Primary) and B.Ed. (Secondary) undergraduate PE degrees in Hong Kong and moved the PE profession from a traditional skill-based teaching activity to an active health lifestyle incorporating a PA curriculum. Prof. Chin served as the only invited member from Hong Kong by the Guiding Committee for Physical Education in Higher Institutions of the State Education Commission in China from 1996-2005. This Commission is at the highest organization level in the Education Ministry of China, because this group reviews all policy making and curriculum changes at the primary, secondary, and university levels.
In 2006, Prof Chin returned to the USA to become a Visiting Professor and Professor in the School of Kinesiology, Allied Health and Human Services, at the University of Northern, Iowa (2006-2009) and Vice President, Global Affairs and Research, HOPSports Inc., USA from 2010-2022. Prof. Chin received the first Monica R. Wild and Doris E. White International Scholar awarded by School of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Leisure, University of Northern Iowa, USA in 2002 and was elected Fellow in the Association Internationale des Ecoles Superieures d’Education Physique (AIESEP) (2002) and Research Consortium of SHAPE America (2004). In 2005, Dr. Chin was recognized in the Top 100 Health Professionals Pinnacle of Achievement Award for Medicine & Health Care in the arena of Sports Science, by the International Biographical Centre (IBC), Cambridge, England. In 2015, Prof. Chin was awarded the Medal of Manuel Gomes Tubino by FIEP for his global contribution in PE.
As a Pioneer in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration with individuals from PE and sports science in the international community, Prof. Chin has received many accolades: in 2001, Dr Chin was one of four Founders and became a President of the Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science (ACESS); he was part of the International Advisers for eleven Asian-Pacific Conferences for Exercise and Sports Science (APCESS 2001-2025) with meetings held in regions and countries including Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, China and Thailand; he is a Founder and Organizer of six International Conference for Physical Educators/Sports Science (ICPE/ICPESS) held in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Turkey; the Founder and Organizer of four Global Forum for Physical Education Pedagogy (GoFPEP) (2000-2016) held in the USA, Germany, South Africa and Turkey; he is a Co-Founder and Founding President of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Council of Exercise & Sports Science (BRICSCESS) (2015); the International Adviser for four BRICSCESS Conferences in Brazil, South Africa, India, and Russia; International Adviser of 2020 Sao Paulo (Brazil) Health and Wellness Forum (SPHWF 2020). Since 2000, Prof. Chin has organized 28 major international Physical Education Sport Science (PESS) conferences with 300-1000 delegates representing more than 30 countries. The efficiency and the high quality of these conferences have served as examples for all other international conferences that followed.
An editor of eight books and author of over 190 publications in peer-reviewed scientific and sports journals written in English and Chinese, Prof. Chin has offered over 130 keynote and invited presentations, and over 90 conference presentations in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Journal of Exercice and Sports Science (AJESS) (2002-2016). He has actively promoted innovative teaching and learning by conducting 14 Problem-based Learning (PBL) Workshops from 2007 - 2010 at nine institutions in the USA, Brazil, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, and Turkey. From 2007-2023, he has served as the External (overseas) Reviewer for assessing 68 Competitive Earmarked Research Grant (CERG) Proposals for Research Grants Council (RGC), University Grant Committee (UGC), and Health and Health Services Research Fund (HHSRF), Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Government Secretariat, of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)- China (Grants total US$ 5,785,192). Prof. Chin is the Co-editor of the book “Physical Education and Health: Global Perspectives and Best Practice” published in 2014 which includes scholars from 40 countries contributing chapters on new directions of PE and health found in their respective country.
Prof. Chin has been the Founder and President of the Foundation for Global Community Health (GCH)since 2016. GCH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which interweaves global health, wellness, and sustainability (the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals/SDGs) initiatives within a successful health education platform (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child) (WSCC). The GCH Network provides a unique evidence-based platform for school districts, associations, and community organizations to collect, create, and share resources, reflecting local cultures and designed initiatives, and all supported by a global framework. Another global project under Prof. Chin’s leadership is Brain Breaks® for PA; a web-based structured video exercise using technology that last a duration of three to five minutes with a goal to enhance positive behaviours toward PA amongst children and adolescents. This technology initially introduced by HOPSports and GCH, has now reached nearly three million children in more than 70 countries across the globe. In 2020 Prof. Chin coordinated a GCH-COVID-19 Collaborative Research Team of 11-countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Ireland, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, and the United States) utilizing a cross-sectional survey to evaluate mental health and PA of 13,263 participants among adults (≥18 years) during the lock down period with the findings published in peer-reviewed SCI journals (international and open access journals which covers all research fields and is published quarterly online)
Recently Prof. Chin received the inaugural BRICSCESS President’s Award (2024) and in January 2025, he was a keynote speaker at the UNGSII Lab “SDG 10 – Nobody Left Behind” and received the SDG Achievers Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Prof. Dr. J. Hans de Ridder is a full professor and director of the School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He is currently a C2 rated researcher of the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. His current H-Index is 13 (since 2010 H-Index is 10). He was the receiver in 2002 of the Stals Award for Human Movement Sciences from the South African Academy for Science and Art for his exceptional contribution to kinanthropometry. In 2011 he was the receiver of the Albert Strating Award for Preventative Medicine, also from the South African Academy for Science and Art. At the age of 39 years, he was one of the youngest recipients of the Stals award and also the first in the history of the School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science at the North-West University in South Africa. In 2010 he reached a milestone in his research career, when his 50th post graduate student (M’s and Ph.D.’s) graduated. Currently a total of 63 students have completed their masters or doctoral studies under his guidance. He was the author or co-author of a total of 72 research articles published in subsidised academic journals.
He was the President from 2008 – 2014 and is the current Senior Vice-President of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). He is also an ISAK-accredited Level 4 criterion anthropometrist, one of just a few in the world. He has been involved in the teaching of ISAK courses for many years. Level 4 is the highest international qualification which can be awarded to an anthropometrist and one have to apply for re-accreditation every 4 years. He was honored in 2014 with life membership from ISAK at the ISAK World Conference in Murcia, Spain. He is only the 5th person in the history of ISAK to receive this prestigious award. He is the co-author of the international ISAK manual “International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment”. He is the fourth author with Dr. Arthur Stewart from Scotland, Prof. Mike Marfell Jones from New Zealand and Prof. Tim Olds from Australia the first, second and third authors. This book is currently used worldwide as a text book and a reference manual for teaching and research in anthropometry and kinanthropometry. Since the book was published in 2011, it was already cited more than 1350 times.
He is the founder Secretary-General and the Vice-President (South Africa) of the BRICS Council of Exercise and Sport Science (BRICSCESS) that was founded in Delhi, India on 17 October 2015. He will also be a keynote speaker at the Inauguration BRICS Conference of Exercise and Sports Science (BRICSCESS 2017) which will be in Santos, Brazil in December 2017.
For the period 2003 to 2017 (last 15 years), he was an invited and/or keynote speaker on more than 20 occasions at conferences in Thessaloniki, Greece; Gaborone, Botswana; Porto Alegre, Brazil; Delhi, India; Shanghai, China; Velen, Germany; Johannesburg, South Africa, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Potchefstroom, South Africa; Taipei, Taiwan; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Jakarta, Indonesia; Manila, Philippines; Potchefstroom, South Africa; Merida, Mexico; Kota Bharu, Malaysia; Santos, Brazil.He was the president of GoFPEP 2014 which was presented at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He is currently the Assistant Editor of the African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance (AJPHERD). In 2005 he was appointed the conference chair of the very successful South African Sport and Recreation Conference (SASReCon) conference which was held in Potchefstroom, South Africa from 7-9 September 2006.He was co-project director of the international research teams at firstly the 6th All Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1995 and secondly at the 8th All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria in 2003. In 1995 he received an award from the organizing committee of the All Africa Games in Harare in appreciation for his contribution on research at the Games and in 2003 I received awards from the Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance and the Nigerian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance for his contribution to Sport Science research in Africa.
Hans is married to Elsie, a maths teacher, and they have three children: Elé, De Wet and Maret. They are a very close family and enjoy travelling together. They especially love travelling and camping in Africa. The motto of the family is to make a difference in people’s lives and to always be kind and friendly to other people. They live in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
1. https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=5Fgd9PQAAAAJ&hl=en2. http://news.nwu.ac.za/experts/hans-de-ridder3. https://ltmic.co.za/speakers/prof-j-hans-de-ridder/4. http://www.sabreakingnews.co.za/tag/professor-hans-de-ridder/5. http://apcess2015.com/speakers/Hans%20DE%20RIDDER.html
Prof. Dr. Luminita GEORGESCU MD, PhD is a highly appreciated professor at the University of Pitesti, Romania, a scientific adviser for doctoral studies in Sport Science and Physical Education and also physician of Sport Medicine at the Emergency County Hospital in Pitesti.Having a multidisciplinary background in medicine, kinesiology, exercise and health science, physical therapy and rehabilitation, Prof. Georgescu’s academic and research activity reflects an increased interest in developing new cross-disciplinary programs and projects in these areas. Her sustained professional work resulted in: coordinating or being a member in many national and international research projects for promoting health, wellness, quality of life, physical activity and sport; being invited speaker/keynote speaker/member of the scientific committee/participant at important international and national conferences in the field of sport science, sports medicine and health; and many articles and studies published in reference scientific journals.
Besides being involved in activities promoted by prestigious international organizations like ICSSPE – as member of the Executive Board and IASK – as Vice-President, the professional experience of Prof. Georgescu includes also: Regional Expert Assessor for the National Council for Adult Vocational Training and the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education; former member of Board of Directors of the World Leisure Organization (WLO); former Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Exercise and Sport Science (AJESS); Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Pitesti (2007-2011), President of the Medical and Anti-doping Commission at Judo World Cup, Bucharest (2005-2008), Sports Medicine Physician of the Judo Male Olympic Team (2002-2008); Director of the International Relations Department of the University of Pitesti (2004-2005).Prof. Luminita Georgescu serves in different advisory boards, she is scientific reviewer/collaborator for: The International Leisure Review (Taiwan), Pedagogical Psychological and Medicobiological problems of Physical Culture and Sports - Electronical Journal of Povolzhskaya State Academy of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism (Russia), UNESCO-EOLSS (Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems), The Journal of Romanian Sport Medicine Society, Romanian Journal of Physiotherapy and her accomplishments count in as well national and international awards and distinctions.
Prof. Dr. Gıyasettin Demirhan is working at Hacettepe University Faculty of Sport Sciences. He is Dean of the Faculty and Head of Physical Education and Sport Teacher Education Department. He also serves as Coordinator of Hacettepe University Communication Office Hacettepe University continues its activities with 14 Faculties, 14 Graduate Schools and Institutes , 2 Schools, 1 Conservatory, 5 Vocational Schools, and 105 Research and Application Centers. Hacettepe University, as one of the leading universities in the country, keeps contributing to social development and universal values in the fields of science, technology and art. Also, he is president of Turkish Sport Sciences Association. He is a member of some international scientific association like AIESEP, FIEP, ECSS and ISHPES.
Currently his research interests are critical thinking, instructional technology in PE, relationship between physical activity and academic performance and cognitive process, risk perception in outdoor-adventure sports. He published 22 articles in international refereed journals and 43 articles in national referred journals. Also, he has two books and 10 book chapters in physical education and sport pedagogy. He presented more than 100 papers in international and national scientific congresses and completed 12 international and national scientific projects in his own research field. He was as keynote and invited speaker at many national and international scientific meetings. Also, he organized many international and national scientific meetings. He has 118 citations in scientific journals which are indexed in SSCI and SCI and 380 citations in Google Scholar.
Demirhan is known with his sportsman identity beside his academic identity. He interests Outdoor-Adventure Sports but he especially loves mountain climbing. He has climbed several times the mount Arart that the highest mountain in Turkey and it has been perceived as the traditional resting place of Noah's Ark since the 11th century. He also paticipates lots of Outdoor-Adventure Sport, Mountaineering and Climbing Organizations in international-wide. He regularly participates Olimpic Climbing that coordinated by National Olimpic Committee of Turkey and International Erzurum-Uzundere Waterfall Ice climbing coordinated by Erzurum Governorship, Erzurum Uzundere Munipacility. In addition to this Demirhan is an active member of Hacettepe University Photography Community. He likes to take nature and landscape photos. In addition, he gives lectures about Movement and Sport Photograpy.
Prof. Dr. Myriam Guerra-Balic, is a professor in the Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences – Blanquerna, University Ramon Llull (URL). She is a Medical Doctor specialized in Sport Medicine, with a Doctoral Degree that was developed on Exercise Physiology and Down Syndrome. She became a full professor of Exercise Physiology since 2001. She was the International Relations Vice-Dean at the URL for 9 years coordinating national and international exchange programs, cooperation programs and research mobilities for students and professors of her institution, as well as international research programs.
She has taught as international visitor professor in several countries from Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Africa. She has been developing her career as a professor and researcher for more than 25 years in the field of Health, Adapted Physical Activity and Adapted Sport, especially focused in children, elderly and persons with Intellectual Disabilities, being the leader of the research group. At present she is a member of the SITLESS project team, which has received European finaciation (H2020-PHC-2014; nº 634270-2), and she is also involved in the ENPARID network, focused in physical activity research in persons with intellectual disabilities.
She is member of the International Relations Committee of the ACSM since 2011. She has received the ACSM Student Award (2000) and the ACSM Dr. Lisa Stroud Krivickas Clinician Scholar Award.She collaborates with the Health Agency of the City Council of Barcelona developing the POIBA project, which works for the prevention of children’s obesity in Barcelona city.She has been invited to collaborate with the Down21 website, where she will be in charge of the information about physical activity and Down Syndrome, and its regular updating.She has been collaborating since 1992 with the School Jeroni de Moragas, for children and adolescents with special needs.
Through this collaboration, she is also involved in the project Hockey+, focused in the inlcusion of Hockey+ for persons with Intellectual Disabilities in regular league competition.
She has been an invited delegate of GOFPEP twice: GoFPEP2014-Pochefstroom 2014 (South-Africa) and GoFPEP 2016-Ankara 2016 (Turkey) . She will also participate in BRICSCESS 2017 in Santos (Brazil).
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Uvinha is Founding Member of BRICSCESS (BRICS Council of Exercise and Sport Science) and Associate Professor of the Graduate Program in Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo – USP, Brazil.
He holds a Masters Degree in Physical Education from the State University of Campinas – UNICAMP (1997), a PhD in Tourism and Leisure from the University of Sao Paulo – USP (2003), a Postdoctorate in Sports and Leisure Studies from Griffith University, Australia (2004) and a Habilitation in Culture and Leisure Studies from USP (2008). Dr. Uvinha is the author of several articles and books in his country focused on Sports, Physical Education and Leisure.
He is strongly committed to projects that focus on the development of Sports and Leisure Studies in Brazil, mostly in the Sao Paulo region and related to the Sports Megaevents. He has attended academic and professional meetings in more than 50 countries.
“Professor Ricardo Uvinha has established himself as a true academic scholar over his academic career and in his career he has clearly demonstrated his competence as an academic, not only in his country Brazil, but also on an international level. He has an advanced theoretical knowledge of the field of Tourism and Leisure and is recognized by the academic community, on national as well as international level, for his excellent scholarship in teaching and learning as well as expertise in research. Ricardo has illustrated his ability as a leader on an international level on several occasions and has very good administration and management skills.” Professor dr. J. Hans DE RIDDER, Secretary-General and Vice-President (South Africa) of BRICSCESS
The University of Sao Paulo (commonly referred to as USP) is the largest institution of higher education and research in Latin America. USP is influential in the area of higher education in the South American continent, having educated countless professors with masters' and doctors' degrees now teaching at private colleges and universities in Brazil. With its numerous accomplishments throughout the years, USP continues to involve in the areas of education, science, technology and the arts.
Prof. Dr. Verónica Violant Holz is a doctor in Psychology, graduated in clinical psychology from Comillas Pontificia University and in Teacher training from Ramon Llull University. She is a Professor at the Department of Didactic and Educational Organisation. University of Barcelona
Leader of the postgraduate studies: Hospital Pedagogy in Neonatology and Paediatrics. Chief Investigator of the acknowledged research group (SGR, 806): Hospital Pedagogy in Neonatology and Paediatrics.
She has been developing her career as a professor and researcher for more than 20 years in the field of Creativity and Health in Hospital Pedagogy and she is the vice-president of ASOCREA-Creativity Association.She has been invited to give conferences about these topics nationally and internationally: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Taiwan, and Venezuela. She won the scholarship for the promotion of professors-UB2015 Internationalisation to work in the field of Hospital Pedagogy in Malaysia and Costa Rica. She is the coordinator of the UNITWIN Network of Hospital Pedagogy-UNESCO.
She is a member of the COMAU (Worldwide Counsel of Academic University Students) and an honorary member of REDLACEH: the Latin-American and Caribbean network for the rights to education of hospitalised or in treatment infants and adolescents.She is the author of several publications about care during childhood and adolescence in illness condition. She has written over 40 books and chapters of books and over 23 indexed articles that are available in databases such as JCR-Social Sciences Citation Index, Scorpus, IN-RECS, Latindex, IRESIE and Resh. Her last publication, under her direction, is a collection of 5 books about Hospital Pedagogy published by Editorial Aljibe-Málaga (Spain). Furthermore, she received the Diamond award in Research, from the World Wide Awards in Science Eureka in 2012 (awarded in Cuba).
Prof. Dr. Ian Culpan is currently the Professor in the School of Health Sciences and the former Head of the School of Sciences and Physical Education at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has strong research interests in physical education teacher education (PETE), Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, the socio-cultural aspects of Sport and Olympic/Olympism Education. He has a high international profile, led and directed many national initiatives in physical education and has published nationally and internationally.
He was one of two principal writers of the national health and physical education curriculum and chaired the national standards body for senior school qualifications. He is the immediate past president of the New Zealand Olympic Academy: and has served as the president of Federation Internationale d'Education Physique. (FIEP Oceania) where he is currently the NZ delegate. He is the director of the New Zealand Centre for Olympic Studies, a Trustee of International Alpha Upsilon Chi, chair of the FutureSport Trust and is a board member of the Sport Museum of New Zealand and Physical Education New Zealand. He has been awarded the International Olympic Committee Trophy twice (2000 & 2014) for his teaching and research in education and sport; and was the 7th person in the history of physical education in New Zealand to be awarded the prestigious Sir Alexander Gillies Medal for Physical Education.
He has been a visiting Professor at Charles University in the Czech Republic and a visiting Professor at the German Sport University Cologne, University of Peloponnese and the International Olympic Academy, Greece, Kristianstad University Sweden, Nanjing Normal University, China and University of Tsukuba, Japan. He is a National: Fellow for Physical Education New Zealand, has served on an advisory panel for UNESCO and co coordinated the New Zealand All Blacks leadership programme.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mariana Tudor, PT, PHD is a Physiotherapist at the Department of Medical Assistance and Physical Therapy, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest - University Center of Pitesti, Romania. She holds a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy for People with Disabilities, and in 2013, she successfully earned her PhD Degree in the field of Human Motricity Science.
Dr. Tudor dedicates her time to teaching various disciplines on a full-time basis, including Evaluation in Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy in Cardio-respiratory diseases, and Health Education. Her enthusiasm for working with students extends beyond the transmission of knowledge; she actively involves them in diverse activities, guiding them to explore their opportunities to the fullest.
Her primary research focus lies in the areas of health, therapeutic and health education, rehabilitation, and the promotion of an active lifestyle, both at the individual and community levels. Dr. Tudor has actively participated in numerous projects and scientific conferences, addressing themes related to rehabilitation in various settings and age groups, adapted physical activities, injury prevention, and social inclusion for people with disabilities, spanning across both children and adults
Since 2013, she has taken on leadership roles as Team Leader and Future Leader, coordinating international young scholars participating in the Future Leader Volunteer Program (APCESS, Taiwan 2013; GoFPEP 2014, South Africa; GoFPEP 2016, Turkey; 1st World Congress of Future Leader/Volunteer - WCFLV 2019, South Africa). Currently, she serves as the Senior Future Leader, contributing to the coordination of the program.
She considers her participation in the Future Leader Program an amazing, exciting and enriching journey, the best place to provide conditions to learn, gain experience, a chance for personal and professional expression, innovation and development for the young researchers.
Also, Dr. Mariana Tudor has experience working in community projects to promote health and physical activity. She is a member of the Romanian team to promote Brain Breaks® ️ in schools, she involves students to create Brain Breaks with Romanian cultural specificity and she was an implementing member of the international study of on-line streaming Brain Breaks®.
Prof. Dr. Jianhui Dai is a Professor in the School of Physical Education and Sports Science at Soochow University in the People's Rpublic of China.
Soochow University is a comprehensive university in Jiangsu Province,China; 50000+ students, 3000+ international students from over 80 countries; 5000+ Faculty and Staff, experienced professors and well-trained student advisors; a member of “Project 211”, "2011 Plan” and " Double First Class University ".
Prof. Dr. Jianhui Dai received her bachelor’s degree from Anhui Normal University, her Master’s Degree in Sport Studies from Zhejiang University and her PhD Degree in Sports Humanities and Social Science from Shanghai University of Sport. In 2007, she was a visiting socio-cultural studies and sport management scholar in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the United States. Since beginning her educational career, she has consistently upheld the philosophy that "sports can bring happiness to humanity." She has mentored over a hundred master's and doctoral students, all of whom have dedicated themselves to physical education teaching after graduation, contributing to the sports industry and student health. Currently, she has 20 master's students and 5 doctoral students under her supervision. Their research areas encompass national fitness, elderly health, sports industry, and other fields, studying from multiple perspectives the benefits that sports bring to humanity.
She conducts in-depth research, investigating people's awareness of physical exercise, including exercise frequency, methods, duration, and other aspects, to understand the public's perception of sports. She also educates people on how to exercise scientifically and prevent sports injuries.
Assoc. Prof. Dr G. Balasekaran is presently an Associate Professor at the Physical Education & Sports Science (PESS) department at National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. His research projects include physiological responses in exercise and adaptations to health and sports performance, also investigating the influence of genetic factors on exercise related outcomes. He is currently actively involved in investigating physiological predictors of human performance. In addition, he is very well versed in the knowledge of sports science and its application in a variety of sports especially in track & field.
Dr Bala obtained his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, USA and has published many research papers, abstracts, proceedings papers and book chapters in mostly first rated journals and books in the area of Sports Science. He was recently awarded the Fellow of European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and is also a certified American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Director and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) which is the most prestigious distinction within the college and in the world. Dr Bala holds various positions on many local and international boards - Board of Directors, Global Community Health (GCH); President, Asian Council of Exercise & Sports Science (ACESS); President, Asian Council for Health Physical Activity and Fitness (ACHPAF); President, Cougars Athletic Association; Vice President, Asian Kinesiology Society (ASK); Honorary Treasurer, Asian Association for Sports Management (AASM); Research and Education, ACHPAF; Elected member, Sigma Xi, USA; Member, ECSS; Member, American Physiology Society (APS), USA; Member, Obesity Society, USA; Committee member, Asian Traditional Sports and Games Association (ATSGA); National Delegate for Singapore, Federation Internationale D’Education Physique (FIEP Europe); Member, International Federation of Sports Aquatic Tourism; International Representative for Singapore, International Federation of Sports and Aquatic Tourism; NTU Institutional Review Board, Ministry of Education (MOE), MOE Olive Run Organising Committee, Asian Journal of Kinesiology (AJK), and also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Physical Activity – The Official Journal of Asian Society of Kinesiology (ASK), Chief Editor for Special Issues, Nutrients and Editor for Nutrients - 5.0 impact factor JCR and Scimago Tier 1 journal. Dr Bala holds several project grants and was recently awarded the Teaching Innovation Grant to create and develop a gamified interactive video software to enhance e-learning for students to access from anywhere. In addition, he was also invited as the keynote speaker/presenter for various renowned conferences. Despite his busy schedule, Dr Bala has graduated 7 PhD and 8 MSc students under his supervision respectively. Currently, he supervises 1 PhD and 1 MSc student respectively and also serves as an interview panel member for higher degree applications. In addition, he is also the supervisor for numerous Sport Science & Management (SSM) students for their Final Year Project, students for the URECA projects and volunteers for NTU Nanyang Research Programme (NRP) for high school students.
Besides the administration roles at PESS/NIE/NTU, Dr. Balasekaran assumed the leadership role as the President for the Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science (ACESS) (2019 – current), organization which has been in the forefront in Sports Science in Asia with yearly conferences since its founding in 1999. ACESS works towards the goal of developing and promoting Sports Science in the Asian setting and is currently working with the United Nations on its sustainable goals to achieve model schools in physical education in Asia. ACESS is an international organization of over 300 academics and industry practitioners located across 12 countries/regions in Asia. Its vision is to become an enabling force among sports scientists through various programs, supports the continuing education of its community by conducting the annual Asia Pacific Conference on Exercise and Sports Science, empowering both academics and professionals with the latest information on sports science research. Dr Bala also has a strong interest in coaching and holds the level one and level two International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) coaching certificates. He was in the committee for Singapore Athletics Association from (SAA) 2000, became the former Assistant Secretary (2007 – 2015) and former Vice-President Training and Selection (2015 – 2018). He was the Team Manager for Southeast Asian Games 2009 and 2015. He is also the President of the Cougars Athletics Association which is a non-profit track and field club that helps to groom, develop and nurture young athletes in Singapore.
Awards and Sports Achievements
Dr Bala won the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Nanyang Award (School) and National Institute of Education (NIE) Commendation of Teaching numerous times. The NTU Healthy Lifestyle committee chaired by him won the Singapore HEALTH Award (Platinum) by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board. The HEALTH Award recognizes NTU for excellence in the many workplace health promotion programs organized by NTU Healthy Lifestyle Committee. Dr Bala was recently awarded the Excellence in Research Award (ERA) 2024 by NIE. His students under his supervision have also won awards such as Dean Commendation for Undergraduate Education Research and Dean’s Commendation of Research Award. Internationally, Dr Bala’s research on Deep Heat was published on the media in the Daily Mail newspaper (United Kingdom), American Physiology Society media release, and Physiology Friday newsletter (Florida, USA). He has also won best oral paper presentations in the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th AASM conferences. His student had also won the Young Investigator Award (YIA), 1st place during the ASK Conference 2024; Rising Star Award, 1st place during AASM Conference 2025.
As a keen runner, he participated in national schools as a youngster and as a former national competitor, Dr Bala had represented Singapore in numerous long distance running events and had won medals in various international and local meets. He had also raced in the various States and Regional College meets in the USA and most notably qualified and raced in the prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) cross-country championships in USA at Humboldt University.
Currently he is a volunteer coach, coaching national long-distance athletes – coached athletes to national records. He is also currently voluntarily coaching youth athletes with little or no support at home. These youth athletes have won medals and achieved several scholarships and awards for sporting and academic achievements. He also volunteers as a committee member during the MOE Olive Run – organizing a major running event annually for all teachers in Singapore; committee member for Real Run for 15 years.
Achievements:
Dr. Bala receiving the Excellence in Research Award 2024 and Long Service Award from NIE Director, Prof. Liu Woon Chia.
Dr. Bala featured on NTU 30 Key Moments where he was the flag bearer and led his team in a run from the old campus to the new current campus at Nanyang Walk.
Dr Bala recently elected as Fellow, European College of Sports Science (FECSS).
Conferences:
Dr Bala, Co-Chair, 10th APCESS 2024-Kaifeng, passing on the flag with Prof Ming-Kai Chin, from Prof Ke Zhou, Henan University, China to Swinburne University, Sarawak.
ACESS Executive Board Members 2024 with Swinburne University bidding team.
Dr. Bala with Prof Ming-Kai Chin meeting Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Sarawak
Dr. Bala as a panel discussion speaker with Tan Sri Dato’ Mokhzani Tun Dr. Mahathir.
Dr. Bala’s student, Cheo (GCH SYL), receiving the Rising Star Award 2025 - 1st place
Dr. Bala invited as a guest speaker for Sport Event Taiwan Workshop
Pedagogical Innovations:
Developing Brain Breaks® in model schools (North Vista Primary and Fuhua Primary Schools)
Moving on with AI, collaborating with Gametize to give teaching exercise physiology a new and innovative way to learn.
Implementing advanced technology during exercise physiology lessons.
Developed the OMNI Rate of Perceived Exertion Color-Face Scale, while using heart rate monitors to monitor exercise intensity
Voluntary Services:
Dr Bala, Chairman, Cougars Cross Country annual road race.
Cougars Cross Country 2025 group photo.
Dr. Bala volunteer as a committee member in the MOE Olive run.
Media Release:
Dr. Bala being interviewed by Mongolia news on Physical Education and Sports.
Dr. Bala being interviewed online by the American Physiology Society (APS).
Southeast Asia (SEA) Games and Southeast Asia (SEA) Youth Games 2015 / Singapore Athletics Association (SAA) as Vice President Training and Selection (2015-2018)
At SEA Youth Games held in Thailand as Team Manager. Athlete won the gold medal
At a function with World Athletics’ President, Mr. Sebastian Coe
With Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hisen Loong during SEA Games 2015 Appreciation Dinner