Last October, Student Life recently sent 2 of their stewards and staff to attend the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference at Pune, India.
About AEE Regional Conference
Vinay Sirsi, principal Consultant in Ozone Experiential Learning, during day one of AEE 2024 APAC Regional Conference Opening and Welcome note.
The AEE APAC Conference is a significant gathering in the field of experiential education, where practitioners and enthusiasts from around the world come together to share ideas, expand networks, and collaborate on the development of experiential education practices. This year marked the 2nd Annual AEE APAC Conference, held from October 4th to 6th in Pune, India. The conference featured an array of focused themes, including K-12 Education, nature-based practices, outdoor and adventure learning, inclusive approaches, and experience-based training. These sessions provided a rich platform for exploring the theories and best practices of experiential education. Learn more about AEE here.
https://www.foundationeep.org/schedule
SUSS Stewards’ Participation
Soong Hung Ning sharing about Social Sustainability Leadership Forum 2024 during “Empowering Change: Student-led Social Sustainability Leadership Forum using David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle.
Koh Yuan Ting sharing about Social Sustainability Leadership Forum 2024 during “Empowering Change: Student-led Social Sustainability Leadership Forum using David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle.
Representing SUSS at the conference, stewards Soong Hung Ning and Koh Yuan Ting showcased their work on the Social Sustainability Leadership Forum (SSLF) 2024. They conducted a workshop highlighting their experience in organising the inaugural forum using David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (ELC) as a foundational framework. Through this lens, they illustrated how SSLF 2024 brought together emerging leaders from ASEAN, India, and China to address pressing social issues in the region, structured through the stages of Kolb’s ELC to foster impactful problem-solving and learning. Read more about SSLF 2024 here.
The stewards also engaged in a dynamic discussion with conference attendees on leveraging Kolb’s framework in experiential education. They exchanged insights on adapting the ELC model, including suggestions for altering game-based activities and starting participants at different cycle stages to enhance learning outcomes. This dialogue provided valuable, practitioner-driven perspectives for further refining experiential education methods.
Insights from Other Workshops at AEE 2024
Soong Hung Ning (2nd from the right), SUSS Student Leader, participated in a skit during the “Does Reflection on Experience in Classroom/ Family Lead to Learning?” workshop presented by Natasha Davesar and Sumeet Arora, co-founders of Novo Leaders.
Beyond their presentation, the SUSS representatives had the opportunity to participate in a series of engaging workshops and talks led by esteemed practitioners. Notable sessions included:
Dr Chris Cavert (middle of circle in image, Principle owner of Chris Cavert LLC, at his “Purposeful Program Design: From concepts to behaviors to change” workshop.
- “Purposeful Program Design: From Concept to Behaviors to Changes” by Dr. Chris Cavert, Principal Owner of Chris Cavert LLC, focusing on creating intentional, behavior-driven experiential learning programs.
- “No Prop Connection and Team Building Activities for the Classroom”, also facilitated by Dr. Cavert, explored innovative ways to foster teamwork without relying on traditional materials.
Mr Ping (Ping-Huang, Liao), Chair of the Board for Outward Bound Taiwan, during his “Organizational Reinvention after COVID-19” workshop.
- “Organizational Reinvention After COVID-19” by Mr. Ping-Huang Liao, Chair of the Board for Outward Bound Taiwan, which addressed adaptive strategies and resilient growth for organizations in a post-pandemic world.
Ms Swati Bhatt (2nd from right), Certified trainer at Play for Peace, demonstrating a game during her workshop “Leadership in Play” with Agyatmitra, Certified trainer at Play for Peace.
- “Leadership in Play” by Mr. Agyatmitra and Ms. Swati Bhatt from Play for Peace, which demonstrated the power of play in cultivating leadership skills, commitment, and self-expression.
This immersive experience allowed them to engage with practitioners from diverse fields, offering a deeper understanding of how experiential education methodologies are applied in various professional and educational contexts. Through active dialogue and collaborative learning, the stewards not only presented their own projects but also gained practical insights into enhancing experiential learning frameworks, which can be used to integrate into future initiatives at SUSS.
Reflections from Our Stewards
(Left to right) Ms Yeo Lay, Dean of Students in Student SUcceSS Centre, Dr Yap Meen Sheng, Assistant Provost, Office of the Provost, Khairol Hisham, SUSS Specialist in Student SUcceSS Centre, Soong Hung Ning, Year 4 Student and Koh Yuan Ting, Year 4 Student.
Reflecting on their experience, Soong Hung Ning, a Year 4 Bachelor of Science in Finance student, shared: “Being part of this conference was an incredible opportunity to deepen my understanding of experiential education. Seeing how different industries apply these practices has truly broadened my perspective.”
SUSS Stewards and Staff enjoying a meal together with the other participants and speakers of the forum.
Koh Yuan Ting, a Year 4 Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management, added: “It was an eye-opening and humbling experience. The community's openness to share and exchange ideas for mutual benefit was truly inspiring.”
Beyond gaining technical knowledge, the conference highlighted the importance of cultivating empathy, adaptability, and innovative thinking—key qualities that will benefit them as leaders in both academic and professional spheres. The exposure to international practices and theories reinforced the importance of experiential education in fostering resilience, collaboration, and creativity, equipping the students with a robust toolkit to inspire others.
As a result of this experience, both stewards are committed to contributing to SUSS by implementing new, innovative ideas derived from the conference workshops, reinforcing the value of experiential education as a catalyst for personal growth and community building. The knowledge gained from the AEE 2024 conference will undoubtedly contribute to shaping future student programs and initiatives, creating meaningful opportunities for their peers to engage, learn, and lead.
This enriching experience was made possible by the dedicated support of the SUSS specialists from the Student SUcceSS Centre, Ms Kong Hwee Ling and Mr Khairol Hisham, whose continuous efforts ensured the smooth execution of all arrangements and presentations by the Stewards.