Senior Advisor of Academic Advisory Committee

Professor Kwok is a famous historian, educator, and writer. He holds a PhD in history from the University of California, Berkeley. He once served as the Principal of CUHK ARTS and has been committed to academic research and practice in educational innovation and development. In 2005, Professor Kwok accepted the invitation of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Baptist University to serve as the Executive Vice President of UIC, the first joint university between Hong Kong and Mainland China, and successfully founded the first liberal arts university in Mainland China.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee & Director of the Joint Research Center for Integrated Curriculum

Received education in a public school in the poorest community during childhood, graduated with excellent grades from the University of Oxford, and obtained higher degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and University College London. Founded the renowned public secondary school London Academy of Excellence (LAE) in London and served as its principal. Member of the World Schools Summit Leadership Committee, Eton College Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning Advisory Board, and the Royal Society of Arts.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee & Acting Head of MIS

A distinguished educational leader with a passion for fostering academic excellence and character development, Mark brings a wealth of experience to Merchiston International School having lived and worked on five continents.  

After graduating with an honours degree in Business Studies at the University of South Wales, Mark began his career in education in 2003. He first went to South Korea before developing his career further in China, Uruguay and Turkey and completing a master's degree in teaching English at UCL's Institute of Education. 

Mark's transition into educational leadership came in 2014 when he secured the role of academic coordinator at a prestigious Cambridge school in Tanzania. Since then Mark has held positions of head of secondary, academic principal and deputy head before taking on his role as current acting head at MIS.  In addition, Mark has consolidated his understanding of educational leadership by completing a national professional qualification in headship (NPQH).

Mark is deeply committed to empowering students to thrive as global citizens. With a strong belief in the value of holistic education, he champions an integrated approach to learning that nurtures both intellectual curiosity and personal growth.

Under his leadership, Merchiston International School continues to build upon its tradition of excellence, inspiring students to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. Mark is particularly passionate about creating a culture of respect, resilience, and responsibility, and is dedicated to ensuring that every student is supported in their individual educational journey.

In his free time Mark enjoys travelling, cooking, reading and long walks with his wife and black labrador, Nala.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee & Founding Dean of Lighthouse International Academy & Dean of Bauhinia Academy

Daniel Kwok graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1982 with a Bachelor of Social Science degree, majoring in Economics. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences with a major in Economics, Mr Kwok worked in a variety of jobs including finance, police, marketing and administration. He also studied at the Faculty of Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and was awarded a Diploma in Education in 1987.Since joining the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council in 1989 until 2017, he was promoted from frontline lecturer to Head of the Department of China Business and the Department of Business Administration. Since 2002, he has been the Director of a number of Hong Kong Colleges of Vocational Education (including Wong Hak Keng, Lee Wai Lee, Morrison Hill and Shatin), and has led the Department of Early Childhood Education and Social Services, which is the department that trains the largest number of kindergarten teachers in Hong Kong, and undertakes the training programme for in-service kindergarten teachers in relation to the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department in Hong Kong. He also leads the Department of Early Childhood Education and Social Services, which trains the largest number of kindergarten teachers in Hong Kong, and organises professional and continuing training for in-service kindergarten teachers of the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department. He also studied at the City University of Hong Kong and was awarded a Master of Business Administration in 1994. In 2017, he became the Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Finance and Management (HKIFM) and has been specialising in education and vocational training for more than 30 years, with a focus on institutional and programme management, education promotion and academic quality assurance.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee & Head of MIS Upper Seniors & Head of MIS Well-being and Boarding

Ben holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Manchester in the UK. He has previously taught and managed English education in Japan and India. In 2013, he joined the prestigious London Academy of Excellence and served as Vice Principal for Character Education and Acting Principal. Ben has a clear vision for student character development and boarding education, and he is passionate about nurturing students' personal potential and leadership. Outside of education, he is an avid marathon enthusiast and cherishes moments spent running with children.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee & Head of Juniors (MIS Longhua & MIS Qianhai)

Originally from Uruguay, Priscila Perdomo got her Teacher Training Certification in Uruguay and later graduated from the University of London with a BSc. International Development. She is also currently writing her dissertation for her MA Education from the University of Bath.

She began her teaching career in Montevideo, then moved into international education and since then has taught PYP in Turkey and the Cambridge International curriculum in international schools in Tanzania and at the Cambridge division of a well-known foreign language school in China, where she was Academic Coordinator, Deputy Head of Primary and Deputy Principal.In addition to teaching, Priscila has been working in senior leadership positions since 2014. She is a certified Cambridge Teacher Trainer and Trainer Trainer, as well as an evaluator for the Council of International Schools. She is passionate about empowering teachers and learners and providing opportunities for individuals to unlock their potential. 

She also enjoys travelling with her husband and learning from new cultures. They now share their time with their young black labrador puppy.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee

Faisal was born and raised in Manchester in the United Kingdom and after completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics and opto-electronics went on to complete a PhD in Material Physics from the University of Sheffield. Faisal has worked in research at Sharp Laboratories of Europe in Oxford as well as at the University of Birmingham and University of Cambridge. He has published in many prestigious academic journals and holds several patents. 

After a successful career in research, Faisal left to become a teacher where he hoped to share his life experiences in the classroom. He completed his PGCE (QTS) training at Homerton College Cambridge and has worked in several boarding schools that has given him the experience of working in a boarding community. Faisal is passionate about education and has spent the last thirteen years in the classroom. He is always keen to improve and is currently studying for his NPQLT to help him in his teaching practice.

For the last five years, Faisal has led a large science department and helped to develop new curricula in physics, chemistry, and biology.  He loves computer science and was fortunate to be given the opportunity to develop the Computer Science course as well as teaching the course at IGCSE and Advanced Level in his previous school.  He is also a Master Trainer in Physics for China having worked alongside Pearson Exam Board to deliver training during Covid.

When not teaching, Faisal enjoys music and is learning how to play the guitar. He is also a keen cook and in particular cooking Italian food.

Director of the Lighthouse UK Center & Senior Advisor of University Guidance

Nationality: British

Born in Wales, Marion Muetzelfeldt went to Brecon Girls Grammar School and then to Royal Holloway College, University of London, where she studied Mathematics. After working in the Nuffield Institute for Medical Research in Oxford for a few years, she taught Maths in Lansdowne House School (now part of St George's School for Girls, Merchiston's sister school). She also taught at Napier University and the American School in Edinburgh. She then went to Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh to teach Maths, and stayed for almost 40 years, becoming Head of Mathematics and finally Deputy Head Academic.

During her time at Merchiston Edinburgh she taught many boys who went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge. Also as Deputy Head Academic she was responsible for guiding them through the UCAS process. Merchiston enjoyed great success in helping boys achieve offers from Oxbridge.

Her time at Merchiston was very happy, and she loved her job. Her work has always been her passion, but she also enjoys cycling, jogging, and keeping up with friends and family. She has three children, a daughter who went to St George's, and two boys who went to Merchiston.

Member of the Academic Advisory Committee & Head of Royal Mile Academy at MIS Qianhai Campus & Director of International Curriculum Development Centre

Kurt dedicated himself to education for almost 20 years. Before that, he worked as the Operation Director of Affiliated International School of Shenzhen University and then the Headmaster of Sendelta International School. He got his Master’s degree in Education at the Queensland University of Technology. As the initiator and head of the “Royal Mile”, he designed the programme from the strategical perspective, then organized the teaching team, and manage the programme on the daily basis. A sportsman, footballer, swimmer.