Humanities and Social Sciences

Shanthina Ravindran received her Bachelor of Laws at the University of London followed by a Master of Education-English Language degree at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Before joining DigiPen (Singapore) as a full-time lecturer, Shanthina taught part-time at the Institute as well as at other educational institutions, including the National University of Singapore and National Institute of Education. She currently teaches composition, graphic novels, research reasoning, argument, and intellectual property law.

Shanthina also lists reading and writing as her chief pleasures outside of the workplace. When it comes to her teaching philosophy, she tries to live by the following quote from William Arthur Ward:

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

Celso Kirby Go Chua has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Santo Tomas and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.

Kirby is the director of Grace Counselling Centre and has an interest in counseling and psychotherapy (clinical psychology) along with personality and abnormal psychology.

As an adjunct lecturer at DigiPen (Singapore), Kirby teaches topics related to psychology. He enjoys interacting with his students and learning from them.

Francis Hau holds a Master of Business Administration from Imperial College London.

Francis currently teaches marketing, communication, and career development modules at Nanyang Business School, DigiPen (Singapore), and Management Development Institute of Singapore. Prior to teaching, Francis held various roles in marketing and business development at multinational companies such as Creative Technology and Alcatel-Lucent. He enjoys sharing his corporate experiences and bringing in practical examples to the lectures he conducts.

Francis is a strong practitioner of lifelong learning. He is a firm believer that knowledge can be acquired from all sources so that it can be passed on to other learners.

Izzairin Bin Swandi holds a Bachelor of Communications from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and a Master of Science in International Relations from Nanyang Technological University.

Izzairin teaches media at DigiPen (Singapore), and instructs communication and social sciences at other institutes of higher education. With over 10 years of experience in the Public Service, he has also worked extensively in community engagement, media and communications, and international networks. His diverse professional background enriches his teaching, allowing him to bring real-world insights into the classroom.

Along with emerging media trends and landscapes, Izzairin also takes keen interest in global affairs, with a particular focus on socio-religious and socio-political issues. He enjoys engaging in discussions and exchanging ideas on contemporary issues with his students. He values hearing different perspectives and believes that embracing diverse opinions leads to a more enriching learning experience.

Tan Han Kwan “Kenneth” has a master’s degree in business administration from the Brunel University of London in the UK.

Kenneth teaches career and professional development at DigiPen (Singapore). He is particularly interested in helping students identify their strengths to make informed career decisions, as well as equipping students with the right tools and techniques to navigate the job market successfully. Beyond securing a job, Kenneth is also passionate about helping students develop the right mindsets for career success and achieving healthy work-life integration.

Outside of teaching, Kenneth is a sustainability manager and has held senior management positions in talent acquisition and management within a few MNCs.

Yasmin Rehan Merchant earned her master’s degree in language and literature from Gujarat University, where she developed a love for literature and a deep understanding of linguistic principles and their application in effective communication.

As an accomplished adjunct faculty member, Yasmin teaches professional communication at DigiPen (Singapore). She also instructs professional communication and writing courses at the Centre for Professional Communication at Singapore Institute of Technology and the Centre of English Language and Communication at the National University of Singapore. Her multifaceted experience enables her to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the complexities of professional communication.

In addition to her academic background, Yasmin pursued her passion for mental health by becoming a licensed psychotherapist. Leveraging her dual expertise in language and psychotherapy, she brings a unique perspective to her teaching, providing students with insights into the technical and interpersonal aspects of communication.