The speaker homes in on self-awareness as a much-needed paradigm shift in our thought process for redefining success and leading a happy life. A London School of Economics alumna and a Valedictorian who has led in both corporate and non profit sectors as a Youth ambassador for Asia-Pacific Red Cross . This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Sing Foong stepped in to remind us that it’s okay to pivot. In fact, it’s necessary. His talk dismantled the myth of the straight path and honoured the beauty of redirection. He spoke about leaving behind old definitions of success, and embracing change not as a setback, but as a recalibration of purpose. He reminded us that the past does not define us, and that choosing a new direction isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. With vulnerability and conviction, he encouraged us to trust the unknown, and to leap, even when the path isn’t clear. Sing Foong leads the Equity & Commodity Derivatives (ECD) division at Maybank Investment Banking Group, Malaysia’s top issuer of structured warrants and equity-linked solutions. With 16 years of experience in equity derivatives and wealth management, he delivers advanced financial solutions to high net-worth, institutional, and corporate clients.He oversees the ECD business across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, backed by award-winning products and a strong regional presence.Though he began with a background in Chemical Engineering, Sing Foong later earned a Master’s in International Business from the University of Nottingham, UK, and made a bold career pivot into finance.At TEDxUKM, he will speak on “One Step Back, Two Steps Forward,” offering insights into how changing paths isn’t failure, but a strategic leap toward meaningful growth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Yao Hua, with the fire and fierce clarity of a seasoned science communicator. He took the stage with a grounded, urgent message: that the future of journalism, especially environmental journalism, hangs in the balance. He challenged us to consider what it takes to sustain truth-telling in a time of noise and distraction. Journalism, he reminded us, doesn’t just exist; it survives because people believe in it enough to support it. His call was clear: if we want a future where power is held accountable and nature has a voice, we have to invest in the storytellers who make that future possible. Law Yao Hua is an environment and science journalist based in Kuala Lumpur and co-founder of Macaranga, an independent newsroom covering the Malaysian environment. Trained as an insect ecologist with a Ph.D. in Entomology, he was formerly a senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia before transitioning into journalism in 2014. His work has appeared in Science, Nature, The Atlantic, Science News, and BFM89.9.Yao Hua has earned multiple accolades, including the Sigma Award (2023), MPI Environmental Reporting Award (2022), Said Zahari Award (2022), and One World Media Award (2020). As a fellow with the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Investigations Network, he exposed systemic flaws and fraud behind forest loss in Peninsular Malaysia, helping halt illegal projects and empower Indigenous legal action.At TEDxUKM, Yao Hua shares an idea to safeguard Malaysia’s environmental future—for a more just and sustainable society. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Arissa unpacked health in a way that was both disarming and revolutionary. She challenged the shallow narratives of wellness often tied to gym routines and food trends, and instead turned our attention to the systems, environments, and policies that truly shape our well-being. Her message was clear: health is not just personal, it’s political. It’s not about individual willpower; it’s about collective care. She called on all of us, from grassroots to government, to take responsibility in shaping healthier communities. Her talk was a wake-up call, reminding us that to care for ourselves, we must also care for each other. Arissa Jemaima Ikram is the Founder and Executive Director of Doctors on Ground (DnG), a grassroots humanitarian organisation transforming healthcare access in underserved communities. Since 2020, DnG has supported over 6,000 families through direct medical aid, community capacity-building, and long-term health systems development.With over five years of experience in public health leadership and humanitarian project management, Arissa is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health and is passionate about strengthening health systems across the Global South.At TEDxUKM 2025 Wandering Web, Arissa will speak on “Healthy Living as a Collective Responsibility,” revealing how health is shaped not just by personal choices, but by the systems and environments we create together—from policy to the grassroots. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Briana shared something that felt small but echoed big: the solo date. She reframed it not as a lonely night out, but as a quiet revolution. Her talk delved into the courage it takes to be seen alone, the trust it takes to enjoy your own company, and how that simple act can reshape our confidence from the inside out. In a culture that often glorifies busyness and external validation, she gave us permission to slow down, and to recognise that caring for ourselves isn’t selfish, it’s essential. Through that lens, self-trust becomes not just a personal journey, but a cultural shift. Briana studied anthropology, began her career in journalism, and later entered the advertising world. Today, she teaches yoga, is writing her first book, and creates reflective content on social media. Her popular ‘Solo Dates’ series offers a fresh take on city life—highlighting spaces shaped by purpose and imagination—while turning solo outings into a quiet, powerful act of self-trust.At TEDxUKM 2025, Briana explores how choosing to do something just for yourself—like taking yourself out—can spark a deeper sense of trust. She shares how these small, personal acts ripple outward, shaping culture and inspiring others to live more freely. Through these choices, we begin to weave a web of change—one decision, one moment at a time. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Izzat Zaid, a clinical psychologist with deep compassion and clarity, invited us to look inward and outward at the same time, to truly see one another. She opened our hearts and minds to the richness of neurodiversity, dismantling misconceptions and showing how our cognitive differences aren't just valid, they are essential. She reminded us that inclusion isn't just about awareness, it's about empathy, accessibility, and radical acceptance. In a world that often demands uniformity, her talk was a powerful call to honour the complexity of the human mind and to build a future where everyone can thrive, not in spite of their differences, but because of them. Ms. Izzat Zaid is a registered clinical psychologist and mental health content creator based in Selangor, Malaysia, with over four years of experience. Passionate about neurodiversity and adult ADHD advocacy, she combines professional expertise with lived experience.She holds a Master of Human Sciences in Psychology (Clinical & Counselling) from IIUM and graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology. Currently, she is the managing director and clinical psychologist at Minda Inklusif, where she leads psychological assessments, interventions, and workshops—especially for adults with ADHD.Beyond her clinical role, Izzat is a strong advocate for neurodiversity. Through social media, she creates accessible, empowering content that educates the public and supports neurodivergent individuals.At TEDxUKM, Miss Izzat will speak on “Growing Up Different — The Power of Acceptance,” offering insights into embracing neurodivergence with compassion and strength. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx