Prof. Richard Peter Bailey
University College Sedaya International (UCSI), Malaysia
Professor Dr Richard Peter Bailey FRSA is Deputy Dean and Full Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts at UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur. Prof. Bailey has worked as a school teacher, teacher trainer, consultant, and researcher. He was a Professor at several Universities in the United Kingdom before becoming head of research at the global sports NGO in Berlin, Germany. He then moved to Malaysia to work at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. His research interests are diverse, including the philosophy of education, health sciences, learning sciences, and sports sciences. Recent projects have examined myths about the brain and learning, inclusion in public health, and Malaysian martial arts. He has authored or edited 32 books and more than 120 scientific articles. He is Expert Advisor for UNESCO, the OECD, and Nike. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK, an Associate Member of the Akademi Profesor Malaysia, a Member of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, and he was recently named an ‘Ikon Pendekar’ (Hall of Famer) for his contributions to Malaysian Martial and Cultural Arts. The 2024 and 2025 ‘Stanford List’ of the World’s Top Scientists listed Prof. Bailey as the leading Sport Scientist in Southeast Asia, and in the Top 0.5% for Clinical Medicine and Education.
Title of Keynote Speech: Is Sport Good for Us? Can sport and physical activity contribute to public health?
Abstract: Sport is widely recognised as a vehicle for promoting physical health, mental well-being, and social inclusion. However, its benefits are not automatic but are shaped by the social context in which it takes place. This presentation examines the reasons why people engage in and drop out of sport, highlighting key differences between adults and children. While adults often participate for fitness, competition, and skill development, children are more motivated by social interactions and fun. Conversely, pressures to win, negative coaching experiences, and external commitments are common reasons for dropout. Through case studies on mental health, social inclusion, and disaster relief, the presentation explores the broader societal impact of sport. A central argument is that maximising the benefits of sport requires a shift in focus from simply increasing participation to ensuring better sport experiences. This involves investing in physical education, coach education, and parent education to create positive environments that support long-term engagement and well-being. By recognising the pivotal role of teachers, coaches, and parents, the presentation advocates for a strategic approach to sport that prioritises quality over quantity, ensuring that sport serves as a meaningful tool for health, education, and social development.
Assoc. Prof. Dana Rad
Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Romania
Dana Rad, PhD. is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Psychology, and Social Sciences at Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Romania. She is Head of the Center of Research Development and Innovation in Psychology. She holds a double specialization in Psychology (PhD in Applied Cognitive Psychology) and Systems Engineering (PhD student in Systems Engineering). She was a Visiting Professor at the University of Oviedo, Spain, and a research scientist in more than 20 European Union funded projects. Her research interests include: Applied Cognitive Sciences, Cognitive Systems Engineering, Systems theory, Artificial Intelligence and mathematical modelling in Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Digital Wellbeing, and Polygraph testing She is a co-author of 20 books and more than 200 international conferences and journal papers. She is a member of IANLP, IACAT, IAENG, COPSI and APA. Dr. Dana Rad is registered as an autonomous psychologist with the right to practice in the specializations: clinical psychology, educational psychology, school and vocational counseling, and work and organizational psychology.
Assoc. Prof. Yanzhi Ren
University of Electronic and Science of Technology of China, China
Dr. Ren (Yanzhi Ren) is currently an Associate Professor in School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Electronic and Science of Technology of China. Prior to join University of Electronic and Science of Technology of China, he was a Data Analytics/Machine Learning System Engineer in FutureWei Technologies (Huawei Research), NJ, USA. Dr. Ren received the PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ in 2015. Dr. Ren has published more than 40 refereed papers in international leading journals and key conferences in the areas of wireless communications and networking, mobile computing, and security & privacy. He is the inventor of more than 10 granted and 10 pending patents. His current research interests include mobile computing and sensing, cyber security and privacy, internet of Things (IoT), smart healthcare.