Humanities and Social Sciences

Shanthina Ravindran received her Bachelor of Laws at the University of London followed by a Master of Education-English Language degree at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Before joining DigiPen (Singapore) as a full-time lecturer, Shanthina taught part-time at the Institute as well as at other educational institutions, including the National University of Singapore and National Institute of Education. She currently teaches composition, graphic novels, research reasoning, argument, and intellectual property law.

Shanthina also lists reading and writing as her chief pleasures outside of the workplace. When it comes to her teaching philosophy, she tries to live by the following quote from William Arthur Ward:

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

Celso Kirby Go Chua has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Santo Tomas and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.

Kirby is the director of Grace Counselling Centre and has an interest in counseling and psychotherapy (clinical psychology) along with personality and abnormal psychology.

As an adjunct lecturer at DigiPen (Singapore), Kirby teaches topics related to psychology. He enjoys interacting with his students and learning from them.

Bisharat Banu d/o Syed Masood holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with Management from Singapore University of Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Nanyang Technological University.

With over 20 years of experience, Banu has instructed a diverse range of courses encompassing academic and technical writing, library research, and critical thinking, as well as presentation and communication skills. Banu’s extensive teaching repertoire spans institutions like DigiPen (Singapore), National University of Singapore, Curtin University, Nanyang Technological University, and various polytechnics.

Banu is also proficient in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to both international students and government officials from ASEAN countries.

As a passionate educator, Banu is committed to helping students develop the critical skills and interest needed to be lifelong learners.

Bina Bhattacharyya holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with honors (upper division) and a Master of Arts in English Language from the National University of Singapore. Additionally, she obtained a diploma in education from the National Institute of Education and expanded her expertise with a Master of Education Research Methods from The University of Western Australia.

As an accomplished educator, Bina imparts extensive knowledge and experience to her students at DigiPen (Singapore) and in her role as a part-time tutor. Interacting with her students provides her a youthful perspective that helps her stay rooted in her teaching and learning principles.

Kong Yit Sim holds a Master of Creative Industries (Drama Teaching) from Queensland University of Technology. In addition to being an adjunct faculty member at DigiPen (Singapore), she also works as a provisional trainer at Dale Carnegie.

With a background in drama and experience as a trainer and lecturer, Yit Sim brings a firm foundation of professional communication to the classroom. Her understanding of key principles of communication, coupled with her practical experience in drama, equip her to deliver insightful lessons to her students.

Yit Sim finds fulfillment in witnessing her students’ moments of understanding and growth, particularly in subjects that align with her passions.

Loy Wei Peng graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Studies from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Arts in Advanced Japanese Studies from The University of Sheffield. In addition to teaching at DigiPen (Singapore), Wei Peng also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the National University of Singapore.

Wei Peng’s primary focus lies in teaching introductory courses to Japanese, helping to bridge cultural understanding and linguistic proficiency for her students. As an experienced educator and translator, Wei Peng understands the importance of equipping students with highly practical Japanese language communication skills that can be used in everyday life.

Wei Peng finds immense fulfilment in seeing her students gain fluency in reading, writing, and speaking at the end of her tutelage.

Tan Aun Peng Darrell received his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Nanyang Technological University and a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from the National University of Singapore.

With over a decade of teaching experience, Darrell serves as an adjunct lecturer at both DigiPen (Singapore) and the Ministry of Education. He also takes on the role of Master Trainer at IMAde (Singapore). Darrell is a CELTA-certified trainer and actively participates in Toastmasters, believing firmly in the importance of oratorical skills as a necessary tool for effective communication.

At DigiPen (Singapore), Darrell teaches an engaging module on mythology. Even after many years of teaching, he still finds inspiration from the fresh perspectives and insights offered by his students.

Brenda Tan received her Master of Arts in English Studies from the National University of Singapore.

Besides DigiPen (Singapore), Brenda has taught at various institutions like Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, the National University of Singapore, and Singapore Institute of Technology. As a creative teacher, Brenda facilitates student-centered learning where she especially enjoys helping her students improve their presentation skills.

Brenda’s dedication to student development transcends the classroom with One Child One Skill, a volunteering program she pioneered that empowers autistic children through skill-based learning. As an former journalist, Brenda has published two important books spotlighting autism in Singapore and beyond — Come Into My World: 31 Stories of Autism in Singapore and My Way: 31 Stories of Independent Autism.

Outside her busy schedule, Brenda enjoys reading, cycling, and sleeping.

Izzairin Bin Swandi holds a Bachelor of Communications from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and a Master of Science in International Relations from Nanyang Technological University.

With over 10 years of experience in public service, Izzairin teaches media at DigiPen (Singapore) and instructs communication and social sciences at other institutes of higher education. He has also worked extensively in community engagement, media and communications, and international networks. His diverse professional background enriches his teaching, allowing him to bring real-world insights into the classroom.

Along with emerging media trends and landscapes, Izzairin also takes keen interest in global affairs, with a particular focus on socio-religious and socio-political issues. He enjoys engaging in discussions and exchanging ideas on contemporary issues with his students. He values hearing different perspectives and believes that embracing diverse opinions leads to a more enriching learning experience.

Usha Nair obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature and a Master of Arts in English Studies from the National University of Singapore. In addition to a Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education, Usha also holds a Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Before joining DigiPen (Singapore) as an adjunct lecturer, Usha taught at various secondary schools and enrichment centers. Alongside her teaching duties at DigiPen (Singapore), Usha also currently teaches the Certificate of English Language Course at the Singapore Institute of Management.

As an adjunct lecturer at DigiPen (Singapore), Usha has previously taught the storytelling module and is currently teaching the mythology module. She enjoys her interactions with students and believes that learning is a lifelong journey. Despite teaching for many years, she continues to learn new things every day and constantly seeks ways to enhance her teaching skills.

Yasmin Rehan Merchant earned her master’s degree in language and literature from Gujarat University, where she developed a love for literature and a deep understanding of linguistic principles and their application in effective communication.

As an accomplished adjunct faculty member, Yasmin teaches professional communication at DigiPen (Singapore). She also instructs professional communication and writing courses at the Centre for Professional Communication at Singapore Institute of Technology and the Centre of English Language and Communication at the National University of Singapore. Her multifaceted experience enables her to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the complexities of professional communication.

In addition to her academic background, Yasmin pursued her passion for mental health by becoming a licensed psychotherapist. Leveraging her dual expertise in language and psychotherapy, she brings a unique perspective to her teaching, providing students with insights into the technical and interpersonal aspects of communication.