Theme: Vision for Tomorrow & Beyond

What is vision? Vision is a vivid mental image on how a country, society, industry etc. could develop in the future. As an exit of tertiary education, universities nurture future leaders and shape makers. Through our TEDx event, we anticipate speakers to deliver a vision from their ideas and inspire more people to commit in different field.

Dewan Auditorium, Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus
Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineeering Campus
Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, 14300
Malaysia

Atif Ismail

Educator – Inventor

Atif Ismail is currently a First Year Applied Science and Analytical Chemistry student from Universiti Sains Malaysia. When she was 14 years old, she got inspired by her brother and started her beatboxing journey. She likes to challenge the impossible and does not think being a female is something to be looked down on. She has been involved in many performances, the most notable in USM Jazz Band Concert as a vocalist in 2015. Other than music, she is also a hockey player.

Az Samad

Guitarist – Composer

Malaysian guitar wizard Az Samad has recorded with Grammy Winners Flaco Jiménez & Max Baca; graduated & taught at the prestigious Berklee College of Music; performed in the United States, Europe & Asia; and appeared on 22 CDs ranging in styles from Tex-Mex, Contemporary Jazz to solo acoustic guitar. His works have been described as “richly textured, poetic and atmospheric”. In 2015, Az was selected to represent Malaysia at the 12th Jarasum International Jazz Festival in Korea. A sought after presenter, Az has been invited to present at TEDxKL 2013 and spoke at TEDxYouth@SKIS. Previously based in Berkeley, California; Az now lives in Kuala Lumpur.

Desmond Ng

Magician – Mentalist

Desmond, a magician and mentalist, his deepest desire is to leave his audiences in awe and astonishment every single time! Growing up as a kid, he has always been fascinated about magic. He would spent hours just sitting in front of the screen watching no other than magic and persistently tries to figure out how it was done. At the age of 19, he took a bold step to go full fledge in magic and although this decision wasn’t well supported by many, he still continues his journey into the art of magic all by himself.

Dzulkifli Abdul Razak

Former USM Vice Chancellor – Education Enthusiast

Dzulkifli Abdul Razak (Prof. Tan Sri Dato’) is the 14th President of the International Association of Universities (IAU), a UNESCO-based organisation in Paris. He was the 5th Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). helming the post from 2000-2011, during which he introduced the Sejahtera campus concept in the move to mainstream Sustainable Development in USM. Currently he is an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, and a Senior Fellow at Faculty of Leadership and Management, at Universiti Islam Sains Malaysia (USIM).

Irshad Mobarak

Naturalist – Conservationist

Described as the man who has encyclopedia knowledge of the Langkawi Island by traveller.com.au, Irshad has been instilled with a love for nature since a very young age. One of Malaysia’s most celebrated naturalists with over 26 experience, he now runs a successful company, Natural History Tours, which stands strong as an advocate for the conservation of Langkawi’s remarkable natural heritage. Starting his career as a self-taught naturalist, he now became The Datai’s resident naturalist who conducts interpretive nature walks around the leading rainforest hotel. This passionate speaker is serious, yet entertaining and his walks never failed to inspire his audience.

Ishyaa V.

Beatboxer - Rapper

Ishyaa V. is currently a Second Year student in English Language and Literature Studies from Universiti Sains Malaysia. As a music enthusiast, she started to rap since she was twelve. She partnered with Atif Ismail in the USM Jazz Band Concert in 2015, combining rapping and beatboxing in the song “See You Again”. She also performed for Schools International Understanding Day and is involved in school drama and plays.

Sakeshraj Narajah

Nuclear Energy Advocate

Sakeshraj Narajah is currently studying Nuclear engineering in UTM, one of the pioneers in the course in Malaysia. He is a part of the supreme councils for the nuclear engineering student society, and an active participant in conferences relating to nuclear engineering. Currently, he is part of the organising team of the Asia Pacific Nuclear Youth Summit.

Serina Hijjas

Architect – Designer - Planner

Serina Hijjas is the Director of Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn Bhd with over 20 years of experience in the field of architectural planning & design. Graduated from Bartlett School of Architecture and University of Sydney with a three year working stint with Foster & Partners, London, she has been active in the area of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable design since her formative years in architectural practice in London. Serina is also a founding member of the Green Building Index(GBI), acquires the professional membership of Board of Architects (Malaysia), and corporate member of PAM. One of her latest of projects includes the new Heriott Watt University campus at Putrajaya with an amazing green roof and total landscape footprint of 80%.