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Ministry of Digital Development and Information

Opening Plenary & Panel Discussion

Last updated 4 September 2026

Speakers

Mr Ian Yong Hoe Tan, Lecturer, NTU Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

Mr Ian Yong Hoe Tan 

Lecturer, NTU Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information 

Mr Ian Yong Hoe Tan is a bilingual communications leader and lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information (WKWSCI), where he specialises in strategic communications. He began his career as an award-winning journalist at Singapore Press Holdings, and went on to leadership roles in tech MNCs such as Microsoft, Lenovo, and Razer.

Drawing on this expertise, Ian now bridges the gap between conventional storytelling and emerging technologies, combining mainstream media craft with AI-augmented content creation. He is also a thought leader in the field of AI literacy, delivering training programmes to government agencies and MNCs such as DBS and Sembcorp.

Dr Mukhlis Abu Bakar, Associate Professor, National Institute of Education 

Dr Mukhlis Abu Bakar 

Associate Professor, National Institute of Education 

Dr Mukhlis Abu Bakar is Head and Associate Professor at the Asian Languages & Cultures Department, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. His research spans bilingualism and bilingual education, language and literacy education, socio-phonetics and language studies.

With deep expertise in the nuances of multilingual communication, Dr Mukhlis brings a rich perspective on how language shapes meaning, identity, and context across cultures. His work offers valuable insights into the complexities of translation and cross-cultural communication in multilingual societies such as Singapore. 

Ms Han Yong Ma, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, SPH Chinese Media Group 

Ms Han Yong May 

Deputy Editor-in-Chief, SPH Chinese Media Group 

Ms Han Yong May is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Media Group at SPH Media. With extensive experience in Chinese-language journalism and media, she brings a wealth of knowledge on the evolving landscape of media practice in the digital age.

Her work sits at the intersection of language, culture, and communication in the media space, giving her a nuanced understanding of how tone, context, and readership shape the way stories are told and received. She offers valuable perspectives on multilingual communication and translation, drawing on her experience navigating the complexities of reaching diverse audiences across linguistic and cultural boundaries in the AI age.