Nurhayatul Nira Ramli

Serving as an Education Service Officer at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), she is a passionate early childhood education specialist with more than 15 years of experience nurturing holistic and joyful learning experiences for young children. As the Coordinator of the Child Development Laboratory (Makmal Perkembangan Kanak-Kanak), she has become a driving force in advancing innovative teaching practices that blend STEM education, nature-based learning, and executive function development in preschoolers.

Holding a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology (UPM) and Bachelor in Early Childood Education with Honour (UPSI), her educational philosophy emphasizes the power of play, creativity, and sustainability. Her award-winning creation, the Smart Money Kit (Kit Bijak Wang: Anak Bijak Cerdik Duit), has transformed financial literacy education for preschoolers, earning national and international recognition including multiple Intenational and National Gold Medals, Special Awards (iCAN Canada), Order of Merit-Invention For Children (WIAF, Seoul, Korea), the Asia Best Teacher of the Year (Preschool) 2024 and the Outstanding Educator Award 2025.

A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) for four consecutive years, she has championed digital transformation in early childhood education, inspiring teachers to integrate technology meaningfully in the classroom. Her advocacy extends beyond Malaysia, as she has been invited as a guest speaker at numerous international conferences, including the International Preschool Education Conference (IpEC 2025) at Goethe University Frankfurt, the International Teacher Education Conference (Philippines), and events organized by UNESCO and Early Childhood Australia.

Through her initiatives such as VeggieNest, a project connecting urban farming and early childhood learning, she promotes sustainability and hands-on exploration among young learners. She believes education should touch the mind, heart, and hands which shaping compassionate, curious, and confident children. With her innovative spirit and unwavering dedication, she continues to inspire educators and elevate the field of early childhood education locally and globally.

Making an impact means creating meaningful change that inspires growth in others. It’s about planting seeds of curiosity, compassion, and confidence that continue to flourish long after a lesson ends. True impact happens when education transforms lives and builds a better, more empathetic world.