Presenting two papers at the 1st International Conference on Exploring Leadership and Learning Theories in Asia (ELLTA) which was held at USM, Penang from 15 -17 Feb 2011

Short CV

Currently Dr. Sazali Yusoff is the Director of Institute of Teacher Education Tuanku Bainun Campus (IPGKTB), Penang, Malaysia. He was a Head of Center, Center of Research, Evaluation and ICT in Education  at Institut Aminuddin Baki, (National Institute of Educational Management and Leadership) Ministry of Education Malaysia, Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan before being appointed as Director at IPGKTB. He was a Senior Lecturer at Institut Aminuddin Baki Northern Branch since 1996. Prior to this appointment he was Head of Department for several departments, namely the Department of Finance and Administration Training, Department of Quality Management, and Department of Educational Research and Development. Before joining IAB, he was attached to Perak State Education Department as Curriculum Officer. His career began as a Physics teacher in several schools in Pahang and Perak. His interest in academic activities has brought him to the world of academia by actively involved in research, writing and editing several journal articles, proceedings, and books. Dr. Sazali has presented various research papers on school leadership and management, both locally and internationally. He was a panel in designing, implementing and conducting specialized courses for Omani Educational Leaders and UNESCO programme for G15 countries. Currently he is the Secretary-General for Malaysian Society for Educational Administration and Management.

Selection of School Principal

1. It's high time we reexamine the system of principal selection. We believe that the school principal has major role in determining the school success. Hence the traditional selection of school principal must be reexamined to ensure the current needs of stakeholders and parents are met.

2. In facing future challenges, the post of principal must be opened to all. Teachers who feel that they are capable of becoming principal must apply for the post and the 'selection committee' will determine the suitability of the candidates.

3. The appointment of principal is by contract of not more than 5 years. During his/her tenure he/she may withdraw from the post if he/she feels that is no longer capable. On the similar tone, the 'selection committee' may also terminate the appointment if they are satisfied that the candidate is no longer fit for the post. Once the contract is due, the 'selection committee' may extend the appointment if the principal's performance meets the specified standards.

4. The principalship post is NOT a promotional post. Hence, those who are in principalship position would be still in their prior salary grade. Nevertheless, they should be getting a reasonable and attractive amount of allowance to commensurate their responsibility and accountability.

5. During his/her tenure, s/he is eligible for any promotional exercise and if being promoted to a higher grade he must remain as principal until his/her contract completed and at the same time receiving his/her new salary scheme.

Professional Visit to Istanbul

Istanbul Regional Directorate of Education, 27 May 2010.

Meeting with Assistant Director, Istanbul Regional Directorate of Education. Both parties expressed their commitment for future cooperation in area of training, research and consultancy pertaining to school leadership.

Fatih University, Istanbul. 27 May 2010.

A mutual understanding was established to conduct a collaborative research on school principalship competencies.

Professional Visit to Sarajevo

University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo. 25 May 2010.

A collaborative seminar between Malaysia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on Educational Management. Among the participants were university lecturers and students, officers from Ministry of Education and headteachers. IAB was represented by Dr. Sazali Yusoff and Dr. Rusmini Ku Ahmad.

Prva Gimnazija High School, Sarajevo. 24 May 2010.

The school has produced 2 Nobel Prize Winners, in Chemistry and Literature. The school was badly destroyed during the Balkan War but today it has become the choice of parents to send their children. Teachers commitment is unquestionable by virtue of their passion, satisfaction & drive to continue teaching despite of getting inadequate or late salary.

Institute of Pedagogical Education, Sarajevo. 25 May 2010.

Beside giving training for pre-service teachers, the institute also offers courses for headteachers. IAB and Institute of Pedagogical Education have expressed their commitment for future cooperation in training of headteachers in both countries.

Memorandum of Understanding between Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Sarajevo and Malaysian Society for Educational Administration and Management (MSEAM) aims to establish cooperation in the field of pedagogical education and educational management and leadership through collaborative research and consultancy. The collaboration will include organization of seminars and study visits.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Malaysian Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, H.E. Dato' Zulkifli Adnan and representative from Ministry of Education Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Signing MOU between MSEAM and University of Sarajevo

Memorandum of Understanding between Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Sarajevo and Malaysian Society for Educational Administration and Management (MSEAM) aims to establish cooperation in the field of pedagogical education and educational management and leadership through collaborative research and consultancy. The collaboration will include organization of seminars and study visits.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Malaysian Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, H.E. Dato' Zulkifli Adnan and representative from Ministry of Education Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Ph. D. Candidates

Had a very fruitful discussion with 2 potential Ph.D. candidates. Their enthusiasm is at the highest peak now. I hope they will pursue their dream now and then.

23rd ICSEI 2010

23rd International Congress on School Effectiveness and Improvement.
Venue : Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Date : 4 - 8 January 2010

I was one of the participants from IAB who attended this prestigious conference. More than 500 participants from all corners of the world attended this conference either as presenters or participants. World prominent keynote speakers were line up to share their thought and expertise with the audience.

1st Regional Conference on Educational Leadership and Management (RCELAM)

10 -12 Nov 2009; Institut Aminuddin Baki Northern Branch, Ministry of Education Malaysia, Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia


Welcoming Speech by Abdul Ghani Ishak, Director of Institut Aminuddin Baki Northern Branch, Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia

With keynote speaker, Prof. Dato' Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid,Deputy President / Deputy Vice Chancellor INTI - UC Laureate International Universities, and Professor of Management, Education and the Social Sciences.

The topic delivered by Prof. Ibrahim was Heroic Leader, Toxic Leader, Wounded Leader, The DNA of Leadership and ALL That: The Fantasy of the Quest. 

Keynote speaker; Prof. Dr. Phillip Hallinger, Institute of Education Hong Kong.

He talked on "Leadership for 21st Century Schools: From Instructional Leadership to Leadership for Learning"

Hallinger's Abstract : A legacy of the effective schools movement has been the institutionalization of the term "instructional leadership" into the vocabulary of educational leadership and management. Instructional leadership came to prominence as a paradigm for school leadership and management in the 1980s in the USA before being eclipsed by transformational leadership in the 1990s. Instructional leadership has recently reincarnated as a global phenomenon in the form of “leadership for learning”. In this lecture, I will identify the defining characteristics of instructional leadership, elaborate on the predominant model in use, report on empirical evidence about its effects on teaching and learning, and reflect on the transformation of instructional leadership in its reincarnated form of “leadership for learning”.

Dr. Khair - Director, Teacher Education Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia delivering his keynote speech

Dr. Khair's topic,  Technology- abled Innovations for Future Educational Leaders, Administrators and Managers.

His interesting introduction, .....   John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock ( MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6am. While his coffee pot ( MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor ( MADE IN HONG KONG .) He put on a shirt ( MADE IN SRI LANKA ), designer jeans ( MADE IN SINGAPORE ) and tennis shoes ( MADE IN KOREA ).
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet ( MADE IN INDIA ) he sat down with his calculator ( MADE IN MEXICO ) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch ( MADE IN TAIWAN ) to the radio ( MADE IN INDIA ) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY ) filled it with GAS ( from SAUDI ARABIA ) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer ( MADE IN MALAYSIA), John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals ( MADE IN BRAZIL ) poured himself a glass of wine ( MADE IN FRANCE ) and turned on his TV ( MADE IN INDONESIA ), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA . AND LASTLY HE'S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM THE PRESIDENT ( MADE IN KENYA ) and so the story goes.

That is the tremendous force of globalization and the technology as well is not less impacted. 

Dr. Sugiarto Joeseph, President South East Asia School Principal Forum - Invited keynote speaker

Dr. Sugiarto spoke on  SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES TOWARDS LEARNING
FOR 21ST CENTURY. 
Excerpt from his speech - ...  There is no doubt the new millennium brings dramatic changes in all areas of life whether we are ready or not. Schools are at the edge of great democratic possibilities if educators are to play a major part in the reinvention of a fairer competitive-but-more inclusive society and it will be a time for true inspirational leadership not compliance management. The key to successful change is the improvement in relationships between all involved and not simply the imposition of top down reform. The new emphasis is educational change is based on creating the conditions to develop the 'capacity' of both organizations and individuals to learn. The focus moves away from an emphasis on structural change towards changing the culture of classrooms and schools, to an emphasis on relationships and values. The principal is the key player to develop this 'capacity' in each school. The challenge is how to share and sustain ideas about change so as to transform what is essentially a conservative system. There are at least 4 important issues need to be taken into account by school principals, namely: that leadership is for learning, leadership is for collaborative cultures, leadership is for continuous change, and leadership should be driven by vision.

Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Education Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, officiating the closing ceremony

SEA SPF CONFERENCE

24 - 27 May 2009, Penang, Malaysia
South East Asia School's Principal Forum Board Members



Handing over chairmanship of SEA SPF.
Dr. Sugiarto, Indonesia to Dr. Khair, IAB Malaysia





Conference dinner at Revolving Restaurant, Bayview Hotel, Penang. With Education Deputy Director-General, Dato' Norizan and IAB's Senior Consultant, Datuk Mary Yap


Conference venue, Hydro Hotel, Penang

IAB's International Program - Indonesian Outreach 2009

Mini discussion with Director-General, Educator Quality Enhancement and Education Workforce, Departemen Pendidikan Nasional, Jakarta

SMAN 5 Bandung

Sekolah Dasar Cimanas, Puncak

Bali's Airport

Dinas, Yogyakarta

South East Asia School Principals Forum Secretariat, Jakarta

Universitas Udiyana, Bali with Malaysian Medical Students

Departemen Pendidikan Nasional, Jakarta

Sekolah Dasar Negeri, Putren, Yogya

Malaysian Embassy, Jakarta

Overnight at Probolingo on a bus journey to Bali

Leadership Conference

On behalf of the secretariat, I would like to invite you and your organization to join the 1st Regional Conference on Educational Leadership and Management (RCELAM) which will be held on 10-12 November 2009 at Institut Aminuddin Baki Northern Branch, Jitra, Kedah Malaysia.
Further details of the conference can be accessed at : www.iabu.moe.gov.my/rcelam

Konvensyen Pendidikan Rendah Kedah

Paper presented : Globalization : Issues & Challenges to Educational Leaders.
Swiss Inn, Sg Petani, Kedah : 23 October 2008.

“movement of people, ideas, goods, services, & capital across the world” Marcello, 2004

"…process of change stemming from a combination of increasing cross-border activity and information technology enabling virtually instantaneous communication worldwide" Bajunid, 2006

Challlenges:

Pupils who are able to :
Think creatively & innovatively
Seek knowledge with passion
Use ideas, abstracts & concepts independently.
Work collaboratively in a team
Organize & strategize effectively