Dr. Connie Shin @ Connie Cassy Ompok is an educator, researcher, and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) auditor. Her academic journey reflects a diverse and comprehensive foundation in both business administration and educational development, holding a Diploma in Accountancy, a Bachelor in Business Administration, a Post Diploma in Early Education, and a Master in Human Capital Development Management. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Before transitioning into higher education, Dr. Connie began her career at the grassroots level as an ECE teacher, gaining vital on-the-ground experience. Her passion for training the next generation of educators led her to the Teacher Training Institute and subsequently to UMS, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the Early Childhood Education Program.

Currently, she serves as the Head of the Rural Education Research Unit at UMS, where she bridges the gap between rural community dynamics and modern pedagogical frameworks.

Dr. Connie’s research scope is notably broad, focusing on the development of holistic, practical, and creative solutions for contemporary educational challenges. Her primary research and expertise include the following:

Human Capital Management
Educational Administration
Educational Leadership
Teaching, and Learning
Early Childhood Education
Intervention Design and Evaluation

Dr. Connie actively translates this philosophy into action through initiatives like the Mentor-Mentee STEM Project, an initiative inspired by structural landmarks like the UMS Clock Tower to spark curiosity and inspire young minds toward engineering and scientific inquiry. Her work demonstrates how simple village life and local environments can become rich catalysts for scientific curiosity.

Global Outlook & Humanitarian Initiatives
Dr. Connie’s work extends far beyond domestic borders, showcasing a strong capacity for cross-cultural engagement:

International Exchange: She has led students through the Summer Camp Early Childhood Education program, an educational visit to Japan designed to explore Japanese ECE practices and foster deep cultural and pedagogical exchanges.

Future Vision: Looking ahead, Dr. Connie is focused on developing a comprehensive humanitarian module aimed at actively engaging parents in early childhood development, ensuring that education remains a collaborative ecosystem between schools, families, and communities.

Article to read.
https://www.ums.edu.my/v6/index.php/featured/where-village-life-sparks-curious-minds

Professor Madya Dr. Connie Shin @ Connie Cassy Ompok holds Doktor Falsafah (Ph.D) from Universiti Malaysia Sabah , among other qualifications, and has established themselves as a respected expert in their field.