Speakers

The community's leading thinkers and doers will be invited to speak for 18 minutes or less. At TEDxMCKL, TED Talks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.

David Harding

Musician

"Break from the norm, pursuing your passion and making a living."

I have a Bachelor in Biomedical Science with 1st Class Honours, graduating from Asia Metropolitan University in 2015. Somehow I realised that the pharmaceutical company wasn't the right path for me so I resigned. After this, I decided to pursue music fully and have been doing this for almost two years now. I have shared the stage with Yuna, Zainal Abidin, and Salammusik amongst others. My band, Kaya's single "So Right" is currently number one on Hitzfm Malaysia English Top 10 chart. Till today, I am a self taught musician, currently playing in 2 music groups full time and sessions for other groups when called upon.

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Tan Jiunn Wen

MIT graduate and fellow Teach For Malaysia

How is pursuing passion a privilege?

I am currently a teaching assistant at Asia School of Business which is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management to build a premier business school in Asia and also a Teach For Malaysia fellow teaching in a high need secondary school in Malaysia for two years and with a strong passion in STEM, he led students teams in his school to be the state champion in a maker competition, Young Innovate, in 2016 and "Young Innovator Challenge" in 2017. I also previously worked as research assistant on a transportation algorithm project at MIT Media Lab. I will talk about the theme, 'Beyond Today' and what it means for those who are underprivileged in many aspects. A new perspective about passion will be given from my own experience as a student and as a teacher and how pursuing your passion actually is a privilege.

Douglas Lim

Internationally-known Comedian

You must be joking!

DOUGLAS LIM is synonymous with comedy in Malaysia. His wit and comedic observations and commentary have often been the highlight of movies, television shows, musicals, theatre, events, campaigns and showcases in the country over the last 20 years. His natural ability to bring laughter to people from all walks of life has earned him the moniker of King of Malaysian Comedy. While a career in comedy is considered normal in countries like the US, UK and Australia; it is not here in Malaysia. Having worked solely in comedy for the last 23 years, Douglas Lim hopes to impart his knowledge and experience in the intricate yet exciting industry that is comedy. He will tackle talking points such as joke creation, performance tips, work challenges and how comedy is a large and integral part of his life. And it could be for you too!

Daniel Lee

Paralympic athlete/ Motivational speaker

Potential of the human spirit

I was born with a rare condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Type 1) which means that my bones are brittle and break easily. I have broken my bones numerous times since I was young and that caused me to stop walking since the age of 3. Sport seemed like a distant dream but against all odds, I'm currently training to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games in the sport of wheelchair racing. I started my wheelchair marathon journey by joining a 10km run on hid wheelchair in 2012. I also represented Malaysia in the Asian Youth Paralympic Games in 2013, playing sitting volleyball and also completed a 100km ultramarathon. My talk will be titled 'Potential of the Human Spirit' which will be about how we can push through our perceived limitations to fulfil our potential in life. I believe that through discovering the potential of the human spirit, it will propel us to achieve seemingly impossible feats.

Cheah Weng Yee

Environmentalist

" I deal with waste to ensure that the Earth is not wasted."

I am a holder of Master of Engineering Technology (Green and Energy Efficient Buildings) jointly awarded by Universiti Kuala Lumpur and University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, and B.Sc.(Hons) Environmental Science and Management from University of Malaya (UM). I am also one of the Bayer Young Environmental Envoys of year 2013. I have spread my knowledge and experience to more than 80 schools nationwide through education and awareness programs to affect change in Malaysians’ attitude towards managing their waste and the culture of recycling.

Dixon Thum

Coach and Entrepreneur

7 tips to make healthier choices for busy people

I am an avid fitness enthusiast that turned interest to profession, currently a full time social media marketing strategist-cum-entrepreneur. I coach group workout trainings and gives health and nutrition-related talks to corporate companies, like Daihatsu and ICFO, and gyms alike. I started coaching group workout trainings 3 years ago, in outdoor bootcamps and CrossFit classes, training adults, teenagers and young kids. I've obtained several certifications including ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist. Recently, I am running my own Fitness and Nutrition Support Program. This topic iI will be giving is suitable for the public especially those who are on a busy schedule. It highlights 7 important points that people tend to forget. They are the most important essence in life to achieve a balanced lifestyle.

Tan Cheng Yi

Head Psychologist, Oasis Place

Inclusion in a nutshell

I am a mother of three girls and also a Chartered Educational Psychologist, licensed by the Health and Care Professional Council, UK. My passion is working with children and young people on a range of developmental, learning and behavioral issues that trouble them, and the community around them. I believe that individuals who are different from others, can be successfully included in the community through changes in mindsets. In my TED talk, I aim to challenge mindset of the youth about people who are different- the visually impaired, those with speech or hearing impediment, Autism etc. What does it mean to live in an equal and fair community? How can our actions impact others? Inclusion begins with you.

Afiq Abdul Hamid

Software Engineer

The connection between science and science fiction

I am a scientist, explorer and a wanderer. I work as a Software Engineer by day and a Science Communicator by night and am a 26-year-old millennial reject with dreams of escaping Earth one day and wondering if anyone out there would care to join. I was the Malaysia National Famelab finalist twice and was the 2nd Runner up in 2017. In TEDxMCKL, I aim to bring everyone to the crossroads where the world of science fiction meets the world of science fact. I will talk how they both are connected and how it may influence the path of discovery of actual scientific theories and ideas, and also vice versa, how real life science influences the stories told by science fiction. I will also explore how this relationship was, how this relationship is, and how it may possibly be in the future.

Hazami Habib

CEO of Academic of Sciences Malaysia

Journey to the future: Hindsight Insight and Foresight

I joined the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 1996. In my years at the Academy, I involved in several national and international level studies and programmes such as the National Astronaut Programme, National Science Challenge, ASEAN, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meetings related to STI, 1st & 2nd Science and Technology National Policy and others. I have also been appointed as the member Board of Trustee of the Yayasan Pintar Negara (YPN) that focused on designing learning modules for gifted children.Regionally, I have represented Malaysia in some talks and forums, including the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and STI Cooperation Forum, ASEAN Talent Mobility Workshop and Asian Innovation Forum. I am also the Chair of Science, Technology and Innovation Committee in APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (2017-2018), and the Secretary for Malaysia in IIASA Council (2014 – to date).