EXECUTIVE MEMBERS 2019-2021

As President, Shirley Walters sees PIMA as an important emergent network of scholars and practitioners in areas of adult and lifelong learning and education. As a Professor Emerita of Adult and Continuing Education at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, and a scholar-activist, she says “I am committed to finding collective ways to address the immense ecological, socio-economic and political challenges of the times towards greater justice for the majority. I love hiking, cycling and enjoying being in nature”.

As Vice President, Heribert Hinzen’s work in adult education started in the mid-1970s in local centers. As the previous Director in the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association for a long time. A strong supporter of civil society action, and as current Vice-President for professional organizations like ICAE and EAEA, and also serving as an Honorary Fellow of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. In Hinzen’s words, “today PIMA for me is a good opportunity to be active in areas of global citizenship education for sustainable development. Work starts at home – I am a passionate gardener.”

Thomas Kuan is the Treasurer of PIMA. As a member of the Special Interest Group on Later Life Learning, he views adult education as a vocation to promote mental and spiritual wealth. He is also the: Founder of U 3rd Age, Singapore; and the current President of East Asia Federation for Adult Education (EAFAE).

Colin McGregor is the Director of Adult and Community Education (ACE) Aotearoa. ACE Aotearoa, a non-governmental organisation, is the lead body for Adult and Community Education in New Zealand. Our role is to support ACE providers through training, resources, conferences and sharing best practice. Colin says “I am committed to promoting the value of lifelong learning and ensuring access to learning opportunities.”

Dorothy Lucardie, is a well-known practitioner, researcher, administrator, and leader in the field of Adult Education in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. As a practitioner, she has facilitated a range of adult education courses and programs in higher education, community education and in industry. Dorothy has contributed to the leadership of the national peak body Adult Learning Australia as President, her advocacy for its work and her relationship building with international allies. Dorothy was the founder President of the Friends of PASCAL International Association (PIMA).

I moved from the position of PIMA Secretary-General in 2019 coopted onto the Executive Committee to continue as Bulletin Editor. I’m passionate about equity and ethics, and participatory democracy, balanced regional and local development, political philosophy and practices, traditional knowledge and wisdom. I’m kept fit and happy by a passion for gardening and wildlife, my many children and grandchildren, and the richness of local community life.

Julia Denholm is the dean of Lifelong Learning at Simon Fraser University. She was formerly dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, at Capilano University, as well as dean of kálax-ay, Capilano’s Sunshine Coast campus. She obtained her Ph.D. in educational studies and her master of arts in English literature from the University of British Columbia.

Carol is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of U 3rd Age, Singapore. She also sits on the publication editorial committees of the World U3A Signpost and U3A Asia Post. She initiated the SMS (Seniors-Meet-Seniors) platform where seniors gather for developmental learning.

Yahui got her Ph.D. from the National Normal University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Her research interests include civic engagement, adult education, community empowerment,  participatory approach of public/community engagement and multi-stakeholders' collaboration and social change. As an engaged scholar, she also worked as an adult educator, coach for community worker and educator for NGO organizational development, as well as an invited consultant for life-long learning, experimental education and the community regeneration committee of local government.

Min Gui received her PhD degree in Comparative Education from Beijing Normal University, P.R. China., and went to Arizona State University as a visiting scholar from 2013-2014. Min is now working with Beijing Academy of Educational Sciences since 2015, as a junior research fellow.  Her research field focuses on Lifelong Learning, learning cities and relationships between the cities and universities.

Maria Slowey is Director of the Higher Education Research Centre (HERC) Dublin City University (DCU) and Professor in the School of Policy and Practice. She served as Vice President Learning Innovation in DCU and worked in Glasgow University where she was Professor of Adult and Continuing Education and founding director of the Centre for Research and Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning (CRADALL). She is actively involved in a range of research and publication projects.