Moderator
Dr. Phon Sophal
Phon Sophal completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Teaching and Technology at Graduate School of Business and Advanced Technology Management, Assumption University of Thailand. He had completed master degree from Royal University of Law and Economic in major of Business Administration. He had completed leadership skills and social formation from Fondacio Institute of Formation, Manila Philippine, and introduction theological from St. Vincent De Paul School, Adamson University, Manila Philippine. He completed bachelor degree of Agricultural Economic and Rural development from Royal University of Agriculture.
For now, he serves as Saint Paul Institute’s (SPI) Director/Rector. Education and social development are the focus of his research, which includes topics like social development and educational outcomes, education policy and reform policy analysis, technology in education, community engagement and family and community involvement in educational institutions, social and emotional learning (SEL), historical and cultural competence, and culturally relevant pedagogy. He is a member of executive board of the Association of the Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU). He is representative member from Cambodia for International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU).
Moderator: Prof. Tam Wai Lun
Professor Tam Wai Lun is Research Professor and Emeritus Professor in the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he directs the MA Programme and Centre for Buddhist Studies. His research focuses on Chinese local religion, popular Buddhism, and Daoism, supported by competitive grants. He has published 14 books, over 60 academic papers, and organized more than 20 international conferences. He also helped establish several key research centres at CUHK, including those on Chan Buddhism, Islamic Culture, Catholic Studies, and Humanistic Buddhism.
Fr. In-gun Kang, S.J.
Fr. In-gun Kang is a Korean Jesuit priest who has served in Cambodia for over twenty years. He is currently the Director of the MAGGA Jesuit Research Center in Phnom Penh and serves as a Consultor to the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. He is also the Superior of the Jesuit Northern Community and Formation Supervisor at Xavier Jesuit School in Sisophon.
Fr. Kang teaches philosophy and religion at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and St. John Mary Vianney Seminary in Phnom Penh. He holds an S.T.L. in Christian Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University (USA), an M.A. in Pali Buddhism from the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka), and a Ph.D. in Buddhist-Christian Relations from the University of London (UK).
Deeply committed to interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding, Fr. Kang’s academic and pastoral work focuses on fostering reconciliation and resilience in post-conflict societies through education, research, and spiritual formation.
Mr. Gerald Kong
Mr. Gerald Kong is the Executive Secretary of the Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Centre of Singapore (AIRDECS) who has served as a bridge-builder in interreligious and ecumenical relations for the past 12 years. He completed his Licentiate in Systematic Theology at the Loyola School of Theology in Manila with a particular focus on Missiology in 2012 and was awarded a Master of Arts in Theological Studies by the Ateneo de Manila University in 2013. He was a key organiser of the Vatican’s 2nd Christian-Taoist Colloquium in Singapore in 2018. Due to his fulltime involvement in interreligious dialogue, he was an invited guest at the inaugural FABC General Conference (FABC 50) in Thailand in 2022.
Moderator—Venerable Shi You Wei
Ven. You Wei joined the monastic order in 2004 under the guidance of Ven. Zhen Dao and pursued his Buddhist studies at Fu Yan Buddhist College in Taiwan, where he excelled academically. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the National University of Singapore (NUS). Following the passing of his teacher in 2005, he became the Abbot of Di Zang Lin in Singapore and has since led numerous initiatives including Dharma teachings, Ullambana ceremonies, and community outreach programs such as food distribution and senior digital literacy. He serves as the Religious Advisor to the Nanyang Polytechnic Buddhist Society and heads the Education Committee of the Singapore Buddhist Federation. A licensed Marriage Solemniser, he also engages in prison outreach and youth education. His approach to the Dharma is practical and relevant to modern urban life. He is a lineage disciple of Masters Zhen Ding, Ming Yi, and Ri Heng.
