Theme: TEDXUKM2024: PERCEPTION PARADIGM

To live is to perceive, and no one perceives the same. Every individual's outlook on life is intricately crafted from their background, experiences, and beliefs, meaning no two people get to experience an identical reality. The distinctiveness that every person brings to the table, their own unique story and outlook, their diverse perspectives- these are all vital elements to the composition of the human experience.

However, the unconscious mental framework that we use to explore and interpret the world around us is rarely something that we get to build ourselves. Our culture, the people around us, and the society we live in lay much of the foundation for it, and while our sense of self may be rooted deeply in this foundation, it is only as fixed as you want it to be. New experiences, learning, and growth are all tools in an infinite toolbox to challenge preconceived notions, change our understanding of the world, and grow because of it.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's delve into our own heads, and explore our own unique Perception Paradigms together.

Institute of 4.0 IR @ Akademia Siber Teknopolis (AST)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Jalan Tun Ismail Ali
Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, 43600
Malaysia

Anuthra Sirisena

Education Activist

Anuthra Sirisena is an inspiring educator and the visionary behind the Tenom Innovation Center (TIC) in Sabah, Malaysia. With a background in chemistry, she has navigated the challenges of teaching STEM in a rural setting, transforming educational experiences for her students. Despite initial self-doubt and obstacles, Anuthra's relentless dedication and innovative approaches have led her to win prestigious accolades, including The Malaysian Teacher Awards 2022 by YTL Foundation. Her journey of self-empowerment and commitment to nurturing young minds stands as a testament to her resilience and leadership. Anuthra's efforts have empowered her students to achieve remarkable successes, transcending geographical and gender barriers in STEM fields.

Dinesh Jayabalan

Shell Human Resources Team Lead Dinesh Jayabalan is a dynamic problem solver passionate about Human Resources, Culture, Talent, and Organization. An outspoken leader during his undergraduate years, he was awarded the Jan Atkins Award, graduated as valedictorian, and received a Vice Chancellor's Medal. Joining Unilever as a Trade Marketer in 2019, he embraced strategic roles to sharpen his business acumen and later joined Unilever's Global Graduate Program to pursue his dream of becoming a CHRO: Outside work, he mentors in public speaking, communication, and self-confidence, and has been a TED Speaker and judge for over 100 public speaking competitions. By 35, Dinesh aims to be a future-fit leader of a multinational organization, with diverse market experience and an MBA from a leading business school. He lives by the quote, "Be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods.

Firdaus Husni

Chief Human Rights Strategist at MCCHR Firdaus is the Chief Human Rights Strategist at the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR). She was previously a practising lawyer and a member of the Malaysian Bar Council. She has worked in various committees under the Bar Council, among others, as Chair of the Constitutional Law Committee, Co-chair of the Human Rights Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Task Force on Police Accountability. Firdaus has researched, written, presented and conducted trainings on a number of issues on constitutionalism, human rights and democracy. She has guest lectured at the Faculty of Law and Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya, Malaysia. In 2016, Firdaus was awarded the Women of the Future award by the UK based Women of the Future organisation due to her work in citizens' education and empowerment on the Malaysian Constitution and human rights. Firdaus is recipient of the Chevening Award and thereafter obtained her LLM from the SOAS University of London in United Kingdom with a focus on human rights. Presently, she also sits in the Human Rights Committee of LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific as the Secretary and Expert Counsellor for Human Rights Advocacy and Training.

Ilyahida Leaism

Ilyahida or more publicly known as LEAISM is a luminary of the stage, an artist whose very essence thrives under the spotlight. Her talent knows no bounds, captivating audiences in both music and theater. Whether through her angelic voice or powerful acting, she enchants all who have the pleasure of experiencing her artistry. But her impact extends beyond the spotlight; behind the scenes, Ilyahida is a maestro of creativity. Beyond singing and acting, she also excels as a composer, a devoted vocal coach, and a skilled voice actor. To express her inner creativity, llya has created a space, a character, LEAISM. Her critically-acclaimed debut album, ""KESUMA,"" earns praise from industry critics and fans alike. Her resume boasts appearances at renowned events both local and international such as the GoodVibes Festival, Axean Music Festival Singapore, Ash Asia Live Thailand alongside acclaimed roles in productions such as Teater Wilayahku DBKL, Keluarga Bahadon and Telefilem Lesen Besar. Here at TedXUKM, prepare to be immersed in Ilyahida's enlightening discussion on the role of art as an outlet for suppressed emotions, an expression of one's identity and how art inspires personal growth and healing. Stay tuned too, for mesmerizing performances illustrating how she channels these emotions through the compelling power of her voice."

Jaymee Goh

Jaymee Goh is a Malaysian-Chinese writer, reviewer, editor, and essayist of speculative fiction. Her work has been published in a number of magazines and anthologies, such as Lightspeed Magazine, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color, and reprinted in LeVar Burton Reads and Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her reviews and nonfiction have appeared on Tor.com, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and Strange Horizons. She co-edited The Sea Is Ours: Tales of Steampunk Southeast Asia (Rosarium 2015), and most recently edited the Strange Horizons Southest Asian Special Issue. A graduate from the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Workshop in 2016, she received her PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Riverside, where she dissertated in science fiction studies and critical race theory. She is an editor for Tachyon Publications.

Juliana Abu Bakar

Head Manager of Wahed Malaysia Juliana Abu Bakar, the previous Country Head for Wahed Malaysia, an American Financial Technology (FinTech) and services company based in New York City that focuses in Islamic compliant investing, launched the first exchange-traded fund in the United States that was compliant with Sharia law. She was also the former Head Manager of Touch N' Go Digital E-Wallet which she developed and managed the new product including obtaining approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Her passion in FinTech & Financial Inclusion has always been big since promoting financial inclusion for cashless payment through E-Wallet in Malaysia

Nurul A’in Sa’ari

DR. NURUL A'IN SA'ARI (DR AEN) Chief Executive Officer, Business Speaker and Consultant, Thought Leader Alluskin Sdn Bhd Dr Aen is the Chief Executive Officer of Alluskin Sdn Bhd. She was previously a medical officer working in a hospital. Since then, she has successfully transitioned from medicine to entrepreneurship. As a thought leader in the beauty and healthcare sector, she has had engagements with various educational institutions as well as industry dialogues and forums with Maybank MYCAMPUS, MYSUKETV and Wanita Inspirasiku. Dr Aen represents local and international skincare brands including Eucerin, Vaseline and L'oreal Paris. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Sue Yee Khor

Co-founder and Director, Zero Waste Malaysia In a world consumed by the mantra of "reduce, reuse, recycle," Khor Sue Yee, the co-founder and executive director of Zero Waste Malaysia, is here to challenge the notion that recycling is the ultimate solution to our waste crisis. As the leader of a non-profit organization dedicated to championing zero-waste lifestyles and sustainable development, Khor has witnessed firsthand the limitations and inefficiencies of our current recycling infrastructure. In her upcoming TED Talk, she will peel back the veneer of recycling's perceived perfection, unveiling the stark realities that lie beneath. Khor will delve into how societal conditioning has led us to view recycling as a comprehensive fix, when in reality, it presents an incomplete picture. She'll share eye-opening statistics, such as the fact that only 9% of annual plastic waste is actually recycled, shattering the illusion of recycling's omnipotence. But Khor's message is not one of despair. Instead, she will introduce the transformative power of "Zero Waste" strategies, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes waste reduction and reuse over recycling. Empowering the audience, Khor will highlight the crucial role each individual can play by adopting responsible consumption habits and leading by example. Prepare to be inspired as Khor Sue Yee challenges the status quo and invites you to rethink your relationship with waste. This is a TED Talk that will leave you questioning the assumptions you've held and eager to embrace a more