Edarabia had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Vincent Chian, Group Principal of , to gain insights into his vision for the future of education and his approach to fostering student growth and development. Dr. Chian is a passionate and forward-thinking leader in the field of education, and his dedication to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the rapidly changing world is truly inspiring.
1. What are your plans for 2025?
Honestly, I see 2025 as a year of exciting leaps in how we use technology and how we nurture our students’ growth. We’re going to channel significant resources into AI. Both to streamline administrative tasks and to enrich classroom experiences. At the same time, we’re doubling down on professional development for our teachers, so they can stay ahead of the curve. And, of course, we’re further strengthening our holistic programmes like Aspire (our leadership track) and Ascend (our purpose-driven career pathway). By giving students these opportunities, we’re helping them grow into confident, empathetic, and
forward-thinking leaders.
2. How do you decide what to focus on academically each year, and which new ideas are you pursuing?
We live in a world where change is about the only thing you can count on. Because of that, we prioritize teaching students how to cope with uncertainty. By building resilience, strengthening character, and polishing leadership and other soft skills. This means we’re always on the lookout for fresh, evidence-based methods, whether it’s weaving new technologies into lessons or finding better ways to spark curiosity. Above all, we want our kids to develop the adaptability they’ll need to thrive in challenging environments.
3. What challenges do you anticipate in the field of education over the next 5 years?
AI is developing so quickly that it’s forcing everyone in education to pause and rethink. If students can tap into AI to learn content more efficiently than any teacher can teach, then need to pivot towards offering what AI cannot. Specifically, hands-on experiences that build social skills, foster collaboration, and hone leadership and communication abilities. We’re also focusing on sparking creativity, fostering metacognition, and teaching kids to apply their knowledge in the real world. These are the things that keep education truly human and genuinely valuable.
4. How do you keep students interested in learning, especially those who struggle or seem unmotivated?
I believe every child arrives in this world brimming with curiosity. Over time, the world tricks them into thinking their interests aren’t important. To conform to what “adults” and the “world needs”. Our mission is to bring back that sparkle in their eyes. Reminding them how remarkable they are, introducing them to exhilarating possibilities, and showing them what they’re capable of. Once a child sees their own potential, they naturally become more engaged. It’s less about forcing them to learn and more about reigniting their wonder so they can’t wait to dive back in.
5. How does the school ensure all students feel welcome and have the same chances to succeed?
We believe education like tending a garden: it’s not about yelling at seeds to grow faster or making them do endless repetitive tasks; it’s about creating the right conditions for each plant to thrive. We focus on a safe and positive environment, free of constant judgment, where every child can bloom in their own time. By providing the right balance of support and opportunity, we help them discover—and trust—their innate abilities. Just like gardening, its about preparing the right conditions, then stepping back and having a little faith.
6. How proactive is the school in matters of student stress and bullying?
We’re very structured in how we address well-being. Every six months, we poll our students using something called the PROSPER wellness framework (by Toni Noble) to gauge their overall wellness. If the data flags any issue—from stress to bullying—we jump on it right away and put in place specific actions for the following semester. We come down hard on bullying and use restorative discipline to mend broken relationships. This proactive and intentional approach helps us maintain a nurturing community where we can truly say that wellness isn’t a problem we deal with. Its a priority.
7. How do you help students build the skills they need for life after graduation?
We base a lot of our teaching on the IB’s Approaches to Learning skills. Essentially, we teach the same 42 skills explicitly, using frameworks often seen in MBA programmes like eisenhower matrix and johari’s window. then during regular classes, we integrate use of at least one skill in every activity implemented in classes. considering we are IB, there are alot of activities and skills are regularly practiced. because the whole school uses the same skill, the child grows up applying the same skill technique over multiple years, achieving mastery across 42 skill areas rarely seen in the best business school graduates!
8. How involved are parents and the community in making the school better?
Parents are invaluable partners in our journey. We have a Parent Angel Group that meets consistently, bringing representatives from every year group together with school leaders. They help plan events, provide feedback, and brainstorm ideas on how to make the campus feel even more like home. It’s a true collaboration that keeps us connected to what families need and expect.
9. How do you develop a school culture that attracts and keeps great teachers?
We ground our environment in four core values: Safety, Positivity, Family, and Agency.
- Safety: Everyone—staff, students, parents—feels secure and supported. Teachers can experiment with innovative ideas, and kids aren’t afraid to fail or ask questions.
- Positivity: We cheer on each other’s progress, celebrate small wins, and refuse to let setbacks define us.
- Family: Teamwork, mutual respect, and genuine care for one another define how we operate. You walk into our spaces and sense the warmth right away.
- Agency: We empower both students and staff to take ownership of their growth. Teachers are encouraged to lead initiatives, and students discover how to direct their own learning journeys.
When educators find a place where they truly belong and feel lifted up, it’s natural for them to stick around.
10. Do teachers at your school have growth opportunities for leadership roles?
Without a doubt. From day one, every teacher is offered a scholarship to enroll in a PGDE programme at University Fairview, which also earns them an IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning, equivalent to an IB Level 1 workshop. We’re one of just four places in Southeast Asia, and about 60 worldwide, that can do this. If a teacher isn’t on the PGDE track, they might be working toward a Master’s in Education or even a PhD. In essence, our entire faculty is either in formal training or taking a breather between courses. Beyond that, we use a tool called the 7C Survey (thanks to Tripod Education) twice a year to gather student feedback. We comb through the results to refine our training programmes and help each teacher reflect on their 7C score with support from department heads. This process keeps everyone evolving and opening doors to new leadership possibilities. Talented teachers who demonstrate leadership traits are invited to join our leadership programme where a select group are groomed for leadership positions as they mature.
11. Which after-school activity would you say has the biggest positive impact on a student’s future?
We offer an array of clubs—football, basketball, swimming, volleyball, coding, drone exploration, skating, taekwondo, you name it. Each one offers something different: teamwork, problem-solving, resilience, or just plain fun. I wouldn’t single out any one activity because it really depends on what resonates with each student. When they’re doing something they truly enjoy, they’ll grow in ways that reach far beyond the club itself.
Community service, though not technically after-school in the IB framework, is threaded throughout our curriculum and remains a powerful source of personal growth for all our kids.
12. As a Principal, what is your definition of success?
I believe true success shines through when our students graduate as empathetic, curious, and self-assured individuals who can tackle big challenges and make a difference in the world. It’s more than GPAs and university applications—though those are nice markers. It’s ultimately about integrity, compassion, and a perpetual love of learning. If I see students who aren’t afraid to fail, who support each other, and who look for ways to help their community, that tells me our school has done its job.
13. If you had the opportunity to inspire the world in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
I’d say, “Every child arrives in this world overflowing with potential, and our job is to nurture that spark—guiding them to discover their own brilliance instead of trying to reshape them into who we think they should be.”
