The Inspiration effect: Schools in Asia inspiring the next generation

Inspiration is not reserved for artists and creators alone. Beyond textbooks and standardised tests, they have a place in schools. In fact, especially in schools. As places where children are preparing to become the generation to tackle consequential shifts in what it means to be human, from advancements in AI to the climate crisis, schools should be the first platform for the world’s best thinkers and doers to share their insights.

Studies have shown that inspired students are more engaged, more curious, and more resilient. Research from UK schools also found that 77% to 91% of young people said guest talks had “helped, spanning attitudes and motivation, careers understanding, and self-belief.” These students were “particularly positive” that guest speakers helped them feel more empowered and that everyone had to overcome setbacks.

The best schools know all of this, ensuring their educators, peers, and the surrounding learning environment enable this phenomenon that is essential for human creativity, motivation, and personal development. In other words, they have “the inspiration effect.”

Students in the Institute’s Entrepreneurship programme with the Reactor School and Tanglin staff leading the programme, and the business leaders who judged their final pitches. Source: Tanglin Trust School

Tanglin Trust School

Ideas are powerful and, in 2025, we seemingly have no shortage of them at our fingertips. The reality is, as glitzy and gilded as the social media age is, nothing beats having a dedicated physical and intellectual space where the best minds of a community can gather for debates, discussions, and dialogues, like The Institute at Tanglin Trust School in Singapore.

It was designed for this very purpose. This forum aims to host thought leadership and discourse that inspire, challenge, and prepare the next generation of leaders in its community. In celebration of the school’s centenary, The Institute curated “The Future Of…” speaker series to feature distinguished global experts in health industries, AI, geopolitics, economics, the future of work, and robotics.

The Centenary Keynote event was “Winning with AI” with Dr. Ayesha Khanna, a leading expert on AI and CEO and co-founder of Addo AI (featured in the header image alongside Tanglin students). She offered an overarching perspective on how AI is revolutionising education, careers, and daily life as well as actionable insights on harnessing AI and smart cities for a resilient future. Meanwhile, The Future of Robotics Talk highlighted the importance of communication, collaboration, and resilience as the key elements for innovation and engineering. Students learned that only one in 20 ideas may make it to production and what’s important is not always success but something more priceless — the ability to remain committed, find solutions, and persevere.

The Institute does not stop at sparking ideas and thought leadership — it brings in experts to work directly with students, coaching them through real-world challenges and equipping them with the entrepreneurial mindset and future-ready skills they need to thrive through the Institute’s 16-week Entrepreneurship Programme and the Shell NXplorers programme.

This year, students from the team Techno Wizards achieved notable success at the 2024 NXplorers Carnival (final competition), where they were awarded the prize for “Persuading others for change” for their innovative prototype and presentation. Their winning project drew on the practice of improving their design by seeking feedback from experts in design, potential “stakeholders” and “customers” from students who took part in the 2023 Entrepreneurship programme – a true full circle moment for The Institute.

Since its inception, the Entrepreneurship programme has gone from strength to strength and the 2025 partnership with Reactor Schools saw four teams of Sixth Form students work through a 16-week programme, where they turned a problem and solution into a fully developed prototype before pitching for “pre-seed” funding to a panel of business leaders and venture builders. This experience exemplifies one of the key goals of The Institute: to create opportunities which broaden interdisciplinary thinking, challenge and prepare the next generation of leaders to be “future-ready.”

MCM students engage in various experiences that broaden horizons and build confidence, such as public speaking. Source: Marlborough College Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia

Amid Asia’s fast-evolving international education landscape, Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM), an independent day and boarding school, stands out for delivering what Singapore Tatler calls “the only authentic British boarding experience in Asia.” But its true legacy lies in the lives it touches — nurturing resilience, sparking curiosity, and instilling values that endure long after school days are over.

In Pre-Prep and Prep School, pupils are introduced to a diverse range of subjects, including mandarin, music, ballet, swimming, and drama. The school regularly organises events that combine learning with fun as well. One example is the James Bond-themed Science Week where students got to hear real-life wildlife encounters from Sarah Roberts, a global conservationist and author.

Senior School builds on this foundation, preparing students for IGCSEs before they progress to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Sixth Form. Last November, 13 IB Geographers attended a lecture run by the Royal Geographical Society. Held at the British Club in Singapore, the lecture had Dr. Parag Khanna, a global strategy advisor and Founder & CEO of AlphaGeo, an AI based geospatial predictive analytics platform, speaking about the future of human civilisation in our increasingly connected and mobile world.

Beyond academics, life at MCM is built on values that matter: compassion, companionship, and connection. Nowhere is this more evident than in the boarding community, where students shape their environment through leadership roles and active participation. Plus, with international award-winning pastoral care, the result is a boarding experience that feels like home.

But students don’t just dream about the future, they’re guided every step of the way to achieve it. The college offers a comprehensive university application programme, including a University Fair, Careers Fair, and regular talks by international university representatives. Alumni also return for Lunch and Learn sessions to share their journeys.

This highly personalised support has opened doors to some of the most competitive universities around the globe. Graduates are accepted at universities like Oxford University in the UK and Harvard University in the US.

Every step of the way, Bangkok Patana students are supported by dedicated educators who challenge and inspire them. Source: Bangkok Patana School

Bangkok Patana School

The name “Bangkok Patana” is a promise. Located in Bangkok and inspired by the Thai word “Patana,” meaning “development,” its name captures a founding vision: to create a school that is constantly adapting, improving, and striving for excellence with every new generation.

Bangkok Patana School is Thailand’s first and largest British international school. Here, young minds are encouraged to think critically, explore ideas with curiosity, and develop a lifelong passion for learning. From early childhood to Senior Studies, Bangkok Patana School offers a seamless educational journey to over 2,200 students from 65 countries. Students follow the British national curriculum through Year 11, transitioning to the International Baccalaureate for Years 12 and 13.

However, it’s not just about academics. Students are encouraged to follow their interests. Real-world opportunities are available as well. There’s the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Model United Nations (MUN) and a packed calendar with 130 school excursions. These experiences not only nurture students’ passions but also connect them with professionals and industry leaders.

For example, orchestral students got to learn from Dr. Kira Omelchenko, the Associate Professor of Music and the Conductor of the Wilfrid Laurier University Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Ross Osmun, the newly set up Musician in Residence, is bringing his experience as pianist and music professor from Bishop’s University to a series of mini recitals, private piano lessons and engaging classes. Spanning performance, composition and education, his visit is designed to transport. students and staff to a new world of music.

That’s the kind of effect Bangkok Patana’s industry engagement can feel like. Earlier this year, seasoned performer in musical theatre J. Elaine did the same with a workshop that transported JV and Varsity Dance Academy students straight into the world of A Chorus Line. To Elaine, however, the workshop wasn’t just to teach dance steps but to nurture students into dreaming bigger. “Theatre is more than entertainment. It’s a way to create change,” she said.

Dream bigger, Bangkok Patana students did – especially during its first-ever Global Citizenship Changemakers Mini-Conference held recently. It featured guest speakers from ICare Thailand Foundation and Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities (CCD). They spoke about dedication and service, stories which led seamlessly into an afternoon of thought-provoking discussions and hands-on learning.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International