TEDxUTAR

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Cheah Phaik Kin

  Professor Dr Cheah Phaik Kin moves between two worlds that rarely meet. By day, she teaches as a professor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia. In her free time, she serves as a volunteer officer in the Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve. With over 20 years of experience in education, research and communication, her work examines volunteer policing, crime prevention, public safety and community engagement. She is a Visiting Professor at the University of Central Florida and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Northampton. Her contributions have earned her UTAR’s Teaching Excellence and Research Excellence Awards, as well as the Country Award – Malaysia and Security Researcher Award at the 2025 Top Women in Security ASEAN Awards. Through research, education and service, she explores why people who want similar things can make different choices—and how connection, inclusion and shared responsibility can help build safer communities.

• Heng Chee Kuan

  Heng Chee Kuan, affectionately known as **“Uncle Potato,”** is a Malaysian community advocate who has transformed social media into a platform for compassion and practical action. Originally a florist, Heng now dedicates much of his time to helping people facing financial hardship, illness and personal crises. His initiatives include providing free or affordable ambulance services for poor and bedridden patients, accommodation for financially disadvantaged outstation patients seeking medical treatment, and a free call service offering emotional support to people experiencing distress. Working personally as an ambulance driver, rescuer and community volunteer, Heng uses social media to connect people in need with individuals willing to contribute their time, resources and support. He also employs a cross-subsidy model to help sustain his ambulance fleet while continuing to serve those who cannot afford transportation. Through his work, Heng demonstrates a simple but powerful belief: **you do not need to be wealthy to give—you need to be willing to use what you have to help others.**

• Hooi Chee Mei

  Dr. Hooi Chee Mei is an avid researcher. She creates opportunities for scholars and students to prepare them for external competitions. She is also passionate in giving talks to speak life to others.

• Jerry Chong

  Jerry Chong is Senior Solutions Architect of DHL, where he expresses his passion on Enterprise Architecture, Open Data and Startups.

• Kain Masters

  Kain Masters has spent over seven years as a social worker watching men suffer in silence. Now a communications coach, keynote speaker, and author, he works at the intersection of male identity, vulnerability, and human connection - helping people take off their mask before it's too late. Drawing on his background in social work, neuro-linguistic programming, and psychology, Kain helps people communicate with clarity, courage, and authenticity. He is the author of the internationally bestselling book The Way of the Toxic Male and host of the podcast Terminally Curious with Kain Masters.

• Nara Summerfield

  From writing songs to serving kopi'o, Nara turned dream into reality. Now she runs Casèn, a tea & kuih brand rooted in culture, dreams & courage. Because dreams don’t expire — they evolve.

• Woo Keen-Yin

  Keen is a scholar with passion in international relations, linguistics and global health. From active participation in Model UN to internship at UN SDG, Keen is committed to solving global issues.

• Yoong Soo May

  She was an Assistant Director at Special Education Division in the Malaysian Ministry of Education and is currently a lecture in early childhood education in Universiti Malaya. She has more than 10 years experience serving in the educational field.