Past Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Indrani Margolin
Keynote Presentation title:
Posttraumatic Growth and Mahavakyam Meditation; Spiritual understanding and Indigenous philosophies
Dr. Indrani Margolin is a Full Professor in Social Work and part of the graduate faculty in Women’s & Gender Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. She holds a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning with a specialization in Holistic & Aesthetic Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies of Education at the University of Toronto. Her research and teaching interests include spirituality; ancient meditations and visualizations; posttraumatic growth, girls’ and women’s bodyself, mentorship, and arts-based research & practice methods. She has 24 publications in spirituality and holistic research and therapeutic practices. Dr. Indrani is part of the Northern FIRE (Feminist Institute for Research & Evaluation) leadership team at UNBC and is also Co-Chair for the 12th International Conference on Spirituality & Social Work, June 12-15, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is an initiate in Mahavakyam Meditation from a long lineage of Himalayan masters and trained in the Tulshi Sen Consulting Train the Trainer system.Â
Tulshi Sen
Master Teacher Tulshi Sen is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, composer, entrepreneur, and leader in creative and spiritual development. He was trained in spiritual Vedic philosophy in the Himalayas and educated in Jesuit schools. He completed law school and a Master of Commerce and has dedicated the last three decades to community, economic, and social development with Indigenous communities from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. He has guided over 50 trainers in the Cree nations, based on their own cultures, to become leaders in their communities in Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta, and has been acknowledged by them for his spiritual wisdom.
Professor Katsuyuki Yamasaki
Professor Katsuyuki Yamasaki served as a professor in the Department of Psychology and Educational Science at Naruto University of Education from 1998 to 2020 and is currently a specially appointed professor in the same department. He was a visiting researcher at the Institute for Children, Youth, and Families at Michigan State University during the 2015-2016 academic year. Yamasaki holds a Ph.D. and is a certified public psychologist, with research interests focused on personality and education.
Associate Professor Kanako Uchida
Associate Professor Kanako Uchida has been an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Educational Science at Naruto University of Education since 2015, following her role as a lecturer at the Center for the Science of Prevention Education from 2010 to 2015. She holds a Ph.D. and is a certified public psychologist, with research interests in stress coping and emotional education.
Pronoy Dhamma Bodhi Thero​
Pronoy Dhamma Bodhi Thero is a Bangladeshi origin monk studying in Sri Lanka. After completing eight years of monastic education, he graduated from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. Currently, he is following a one-year Psychology diploma in SITC campus and is considering pursuing a master’s degree. Aside from his studies, he volunteers as a teacher at Sunday Dhamma school in his temple. As a monk, he has many passions such as meditating, reading, preaching the Dhamma, traveling, photography, and more. His goal is to gain knowledge about many things and help his community through that knowledge, providing them with the strength to move forward as a nation.
Faran Shahid
Faran Shahid holds a BS (Honors) Degree in English from GIFT University, Pakistan. As a dedicated researcher, he has received great appreciation from his supervisors and mentors. Currently, he is employed as an Education Counsellor & Admission Officer at StudyGlobe (Pvt) Ltd. However, he has a strong passion for research, particularly in the fields of Linguistics Relativity, Modern English Literature, Interdisciplinary Approaches in Literature, Cultural Studies, and Comparative Literature. Throughout his academic career, he has earned numerous high achievers’ certifications, reflecting his commitment to research and academic excellence.
Dr. Serathi Molokwane
Dr. Serathi Molokwane (PhD in Sociology and Master’s in Educational Psychology) is a qualified educator currently serving as a Curriculum Developer at the Durban University of Technology in South Africa. With a track record of presentations at over 15 conferences, both internationally and locally, he focuses on promoting student success, advocating for inclusive education systems, and writing about contemporary societal transformations.
Dr. Hoimawati Talukdar
Dr. Hoimawati Talukdar is a distinguished academician with expertise in Communication and Journalism. She holds a PhD from Gauhati University and two Master’s degrees—one in Development Studies from IIT Guwahati and another in Mass Communication and Journalism from Tezpur University. Her scholarly interests focus on Journalism Studies, Communication Theories, Media and Gender, and Development Studies. She Qualified UGC National Eligibility Test (NET): Lectureship (for Assistant Professor) in July 2016 and was a Fellow of Commonwealth Researchers Boot Camp 2020. She was also awarded a foreign exchange programme in the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University, US.
Prof. Manasvi Patil
Prof. Manasvi Patil is an Electronics & Telecommunication Engineer, who has an industrial experience of 6 years in software testing. She has a goal oriented, energetic and optimistic approach of setting up new projects and prioritize work accordingly. This made her change her work profile from industry to teaching fraternity and research. Prof. Manasvi has been associated as an Assistant professor in Electronics & telecommunication Engineering department since 9 years.
Dr. Varija Vudhayaraju
Dr. Varija Vudhayaraju is an accomplished academic with a Ph.D. awarded from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 2008. With extensive experience in the field of history and archaeology, she has authored several papers and books, contributing significantly to her discipline. Dr. Vudhayaraju is also an active participant in various academic conferences, showcasing her commitment to advancing historical and archaeological scholarship.
Dr. Bhagwat Biradi
Dr. Biradi has been awarded Ph.D. in English by Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. Dr. Biradi has been associated with MIT Pune since 16th July 2010. Dr. Biradi actively contributed to the curriculum development of the Peace Studies Program. Currently, he is contributing as a Chairman of the Board of Studies for Peace and Member of the Academic Council.Â
Marie Yvonne INGABIRE
Marie Yvonne INGABIRE is Rwandan. She is a PhD student with interest on quality of basic education. She has published papers on (1) Contextual understanding of the influence of English language on teacher-learners’ classroom interactions in lower primary schools. (2) Pedagogical Strategies in Teaching and Learning through English as Medium of Instruction at Lower Primary Level in Rwanda. (3) Influence of Teacher-Learners’ Classroom Interactions Strategies on Learners’ Learning Performance in Lower Primary. Case of Endoglossic Country, Rwanda. (4) Pedagogical Strategies Limitations toward Improved Teacher-Learners’ Classroom Interactions through English in Lower Primary Schools of Rwanda.