Cover Brian Tan, CEO, FutureLab
Brian Tan, CEO, FutureLab
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Their innovative platforms ensure teachers are valued and supported in their critical roles
The education-focused tech entrepreneurs of Asia’s Most Influential are not only transforming student learning experiences but also playing a vital role in empowering teachers—a worthwhile mission especially as we celebrate World Teachers’ Day in October.
The global celebration, which is held annually on October 5, acknowledges the contributions of educators worldwide and highlights the challenges they face, including a growing teacher shortage and declining working conditions. Through their innovative platforms, Asia’s edtech leaders are helping address these challenges, providing teachers, educators and mentors with resources and support that enhance their professional development, as well as economic opportunities that can improve their lives. As World Teachers’ Day emphasises the need for educators to meet global demands, their ventures are also crucial in attracting talented individuals and, more important, ensuring educators are valued in their critical work.
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Iman Usman, co-founder and COO, Ruangguru (Indonesia)
Above Iman Usman, co-founder and COO, Ruangguru
Iman Usman, co-founder and COO, Ruangguru
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Even before founding edtech company Ruangguru, Iman Usman had empowered the youth through movements such as the Indonesian Future Leaders and Indonesian Youth Parliament. In 2014, the entrepreneur co-founded Ruangguru to expand young people’s access to quality education through digital solutions. Today, the Jakarta-based firm has impacted over 22,000,000 users and engaged 300,000 teachers through private tutoring, online classes and personalised learning content.
Part of its mission is helping Indonesian teachers by creating teaching jobs and additional income and providing further support through its non-profit arm Ruangguru Foundation. For 15,000 in-need teachers, the foundation has provided free mobile-based training in remote and underdeveloped regions in Indonesia, while for 500,000 underprivileged students, it has offered free access to study materials and video content.
Brian Tan, CEO, FutureLab (Malaysia)
Above Brian Tan, CEO, FutureLab
Brian Tan, CEO, FutureLab
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“Our mission is to build a safe space where mentors and mentees can connect and learn from each other to take their careers to new heights,” said Brian Tan, CEO of FutureLab, the online platform that bridges the gap between education and the workforce through impactful mentorship. Through its programmes, mentors are invaluable teachers who help students and young professionals enhance their skills and navigate career challenges effectively.
The platform, which has supported over 30,000 mentees and engaged more than 4,000 mentors in Southeast Asia, regularly holds events to help young professionals gain insights for their careers. Recently, FutureLab held the Amazin’ Womenprenuer Meetup, where women entrepreneurs learned directly from Amazin’ Graze Malaysia CEO Sabrina How and her team; it also launched the three-month Career Ignite Mentoring Programme with mentors from diverse fields discussing the transition into the career world.
Timothy Yu, founder and CEO, Snapask (Hong Kong)
Above Timothy Yu, founder and CEO, Snapask
Timothy Yu, founder and CEO, Snapask
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Having worked as a private tutor, Timothy Yu sought to improve the efficiency of the tutoring process to maximise the teaching experience. In 2015, he founded Snapask, the online platform that leverages technology to connect qualified tutors with learners, who then receive assistance for various academic needs, from homework to exam preparation. The platform allows 4.5 million students to ask questions anytime, anywhere, receiving near-instantaneous answers from its roster of 350,000 tutors from top universities across the region.
These tutors, who are also known as Snapees, are rigorously vetted to ensure that they not only meet high academic standards, but also enhance the students’ learning experience by making sure they are well-versed in their specific curriculum. Apart from helping students learn, Snapask empowers tutors by giving them full control of their time and earnings, incentivising them to respond quickly to student inquiries.
Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.
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