Rex Wallen Tan

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Technology Officer

Southville International School and Colleges

2024

Asia's Most Admirable Young Leaders

Rex Wallen Tan

Asia's Most Admirable Young Leaders

2024

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Technology Officer

Southville International School and Colleges

ABOUT Rex Wallen Tan

Trailblazing Education in the Philippines

Southville International School and Colleges’ Rex Wallen Tan is a visionary leader for driving educational reform.”

At 38, Rex Wallen Tan has already established himself as a forward-looking leader in the Philippines’ education sector. In his dual role of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Technology Officer in Southville International School and Colleges, Rex’s leadership has had a profound impact on his community, organisation, and industry. His unique journey involves resilience, adaptability, and an earnest commitment to the development of future generations.

One of Rex’s most impactful contributions is the development of the Virtual Online Learning & Teaching (VOLT) program for the Southville Global Education Network (SGEN) during the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging data-driven analytics, VOLT facilitated the seamless transition of over 5,000 students to online learning, earning the Platinum Award for International Best Practice from the Asia Pacific Quality Organization.

Beyond that, Rex’s influence extends to national educational reforms. His research on the English proficiency of Philippine higher education students provided critical data that saved the country millions of dollars. This laid the groundwork for the National Roadmap for Global Competitiveness in Communication Skills, a key initiative for elevating the country’s educational standards.

As a founding member of the CHED Technical Working Group, Rex played a pivotal role in conducting seminars and webinars that capacitated educators across the Philippines. His work reached over 100 local universities and more than a million students, making him an instrumental figure in shaping the future of the nation’s educational system.

Rex’s leadership is characterised by a strong commitment to honesty, integrity, and ethical decision-making. As the Director and Chief Finance Officer of SGEN, he ensures compliance with local and international regulations. Under his guidance, Southville International School and Colleges has received the prestigious Philippine Quality Award and the Investors in People Gold Award, recognising its exemplary governance and commitment to employee development.

One of his most defining moments came when schools in the Philippines faced closure during the pandemic. Rex prioritised employees’ well-being over short-term financial gains through solutions that allowed the school to survive the crisis without compromising anyone’s livelihoods. He is also invested in the growth of his team, encouraging them to pursue certifications in technologies like AWS, Cisco, and Microsoft, thus cultivating a culture of excellence.

Rex has also been at the forefront of introducing cutting-edge educational tools and platforms to SGEN member schools. His integration of platforms like Khan Academy and IXL Learning has revolutionised how students learn, providing them with personalised learning experiences. Through these platforms, students have been able to master subjects at their own pace, improving their academic performance significantly.

Additionally, he spearheaded the creation of the Duolingo English for Tagalog Speakers app, an online language-learning tool that has benefitted over 500,000 Filipinos. This initiative is not only a technological triumph but also a crucial step in enhancing the global competitiveness of Filipino professionals. By providing a free, accessible way for Filipinos to improve their English skills, Rex opened doors for countless individuals to thrive in the global economy.

In addition, Rex actively engages with external communities as a founding member of the Government Academe Industry Network (GAIN) Inc. His contributions to the betterment of education in the Philippines, particularly his research on the country’s English proficiency levels, have driven national conversations on how to improve workforce communication skills.

Looking ahead, Rex is committed to elevating the educational standards in the Philippines to a globally competitive level. His vision is to provide an education at Southville that rivals international schools while remaining cost-effective, aiming to make high-quality education accessible to more Filipinos and enabling them to become key players in the global economy.

Ultimately, Rex’s ability to inspire change, foster innovation, and remain adaptable in the face of challenges sets him apart as one of Asia’s Most Admirable Young Leaders. His forward-looking mindset ensures that his impact will be felt not only in the Philippines but across the global educational landscape for years to come.

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YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

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This award recognises an entrepreneur who is 40 years or below and has shown exceptional business performance, having built a name for themselves regardless of boundaries that may come with age. He/she embodies fine values, strong beliefs and unwavering dedication in their entrepreneurial pursuit, thus serving as an inspiration for aspiring young leaders.