Jaspal Sidhu | Founder and Chairman
SIS and Inspirasi Group of Schools

Jaspal Sidhu, a Singaporean engineer, has worked across the Indonesian archipelago for more than 30 years, spending almost half of that time in the mining and construction industry. 

Today Jaspal is the Chairman and Founder of the SIS and Inspirasi Group of Schools. 

SIS (Singapore Intercultural School) is one of Indonesia’s largest and most reputed chain of private K-12 schools aimed at middle-income communities in capitals and larger cities.  Meanwhile, Inspirasi schools are being established in smaller and emerging cities for lower-income communities. 

The Group’s journey has been through strategic partnerships with the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), private equity funds and Family offices. It is presently in an expansion mode both in Indonesia and as well as other regions including Myanmar, India and other parts of SE Asia. The Group has won many accolades including one in 2019 when it was awarded the prestigious Financial Times (UK) -IFC (World Bank) global award in London for its transformational work in education. Jaspal is also the current nominee for the 2024 INSEAD-Hoffman Institute Stewardship Award for his leadership. Jaspal was also part of a committee with Harvard University and IFC (World Bank) looking at developing a set of principles called “Ethics in Education” for development banks. 

Given Indonesia's potential for economic expansion and the sluggish advancement in human capital development, Jaspal established Inspirasi College this year. The goal is to enhance the skills of adults seeking entry into the workforce and those already employed, particularly individuals from emerging cities with limited access to upskilling opportunities.

Jaspal often conducts talks for senior management from multinationals and diplomats looking to hit the ground running in Indonesia. He is also a member of the Governing Council of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia and has a seat in the International Business Chamber in Jakarta. Jaspal is an advisor to the Indonesian Education Forum, a public-private initiative that looks to improve the standards of education in the country. Jaspal speaks regularly at international and regional education and investment conferences. Recent ones were in San Francisco, Singapore, Cape Town, Dubai and Thailand.

Jaspal speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia and is also the 3-time amateur stand-up comedy champion of Indonesia.