20 DBA Educators Certified as Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts (MIEE) 2025/2026

Empowering Educators, Inspiring Learners

Engaging with 21st-century learners is a whole new ball game for educators. Today’s tech-savvy generation constantly seeks new, technology-driven ways to learn. As educators, relying solely on traditional teaching skills is no longer enough as we must embrace technology to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

Recognising this need, the Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) programme at Sunway Diploma Studies embarked on an innovative teaching and learning journey with the following aims:

• Enhance student participation and engagement
• Improve student performance
• Increase technological competency
• Promote learning anytime and anywhere

The overarching goal was to cultivate a culture of change among DBA educators, empowering them to effectively integrate educational technology into their classrooms and enhance 21st-century learning.

A Journey of Growth and Innovation

The initiative was launched in March 2022 through a series of professional development workshops designed to provide sustainable and continuous support for educators. These workshops were structured around the diverse needs and skill levels of lecturers, ensuring a comfortable and effective transition into technology-enhanced teaching.

New pedagogical techniques were introduced to help lecturers foster student-centred learning and strengthen 21st-century skills. Educators were exposed to a range of digital tools such as:

• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook
• Microsoft Forms
• ClassPoint
• AI-powered teaching tools

Among these, Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook quickly became a favourite, serving as a digital manual that allows lecturers to create online materials and collaborative lessons. Students can access their notes anytime, anywhere, and collaborate in real time with peers and lecturers. Likewise, ClassPoint has been widely adopted as an engaging tool to promote active participation and assess understanding during class sessions.

Positive Impact on Students

The response from DBA students has been overwhelmingly positive. A recent survey revealed that students appreciate the integration of technology into their learning journey. They believe that these innovative, tech-based approaches not only enhance and deepen their understanding, but also foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking — key skills for the 21st century.

From Champions to a Community of Experts

To ensure sustainability, two rounds of professional development workshop series were conducted, each consisting of three comprehensive sessions. The workshops were designed and led by DBA’s very own educators, Ms. Lai Sok Yee and Ms. Ruba Loshani, demonstrating the department’s strong internal expertise and collaborative spirit.

The journey began with the identification of five passionate lecturers across different clusters, our very first “DBA EdTech Champions.” Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, these champions explored how Microsoft tools could transform teaching and learning while also being guided through the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) certification process. Their efforts paid off when the team proudly achieved the MIEE 2023/2024 certification.

Building on this success, in 2023 the training was expanded to include the entire department. Lecturers who achieved Level 3 in the Blended Learning Audit were nominated for MIEE 2024/2025, and we celebrated as nine lecturers (including five returning MIEEs) successfully earned their certifications.

Fast-forward to 2025, the MIEE community took mentorship to the next level with existing MIEEs guiding new nominees through the certification process. The outcome was extraordinary with twenty DBA educators, including the Head of Programme Mr. Gobindran Raj Rajagopal, are now officially certified as Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts 2025/2026!

Looking Ahead

This remarkable achievement reflects the DBA Department’s ongoing commitment to innovation in education, peer collaboration, and continuous professional growth. By embracing technology and nurturing a culture of digital excellence, our educators are better equipped to empower students, enhance learning experiences, and prepare future-ready graduates./p>

Here’s to continuing the journey of educational transformation — together, we learn, lead, and innovate!