Theme: The Human Mosaic

It has been a quarter million years since the very first humans walked the Earth and thus began a new age, known as the Anthropocene. Our forefathers built humble homes out of empty lands which were foundations for civilizations, eventual kingdoms and the skyscrapers towering over us today.
But there is also no denying that humans in it of themselves - are paradoxes.
On the other hand, we are also the only species that pit against each other when the right opportunity and motivation presents itself. Humans from generation to generation have spoken about the time of war, of loss and grief - when in retrospect, all wars in history have been started by humans themselves; We are the cause of our very own downfall. Humans are inherently creative at solving problems, nonetheless we also use the tools we built ourselves to fix the very problems we essentially created. It’s no exaggeration to say we are the beginning, as well as the end.
So it begs the question: Why does every single person in every field make a difference to the question of what it means to be human - and why do we matter?
The brutally honest truth remains, life will go on even when we don’t. But the argument stands that when our light goes out, it will be Earth’s greatest tragedy, because while we are prone to grandiosity, humans are also by far the most interesting things that ever happened on Earth.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Human Mosaic.

UKM,Bangi
The National University of Malaysia (UKM）
Bangi, Selangor, 43000
Malaysia

Adriel & Yuji

Yuji and Adriel are a talented duo from Malaysia who combine their GenZ creativity to craft beautiful music. Yuji, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has been passionate about music from a young age. Yuji is currently a Malaysian Book of Records holder with the most Spotify streams for a song by a local artist. Meanwhile Adriel, a 21-year-old undergraduate student in psychology, is a talented musician and composer representing the young diverse talent in Malaysia in the local music scene. With their shared love for music, Yuji and Adriel have collaborated on various singles. As emerging stars in the Malaysian music scene, they talk about their parallel perspectives when it comes to making music through passion and wonder, and ultimately chasing your dreams regardless of the odds.

Beatrice Leong

Beatrice Leong, a Malaysian entrepreneur and documentary filmmaker, has followed a diverse career path driven by her curiosity and passion for stories. Throughout her life, she faced mental health challenges and struggled with misdiagnoses. At the age of 35, she was diagnosed as autistic, bringing clarity to her lifelong struggles. As a late-diagnosed autistic woman, Beatrice has a unique perspective and firsthand experience that allows her to empathize with the challenges faced by girls and women seeking diagnosis and support. Inspired by her journey, she founded AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group), an autistic-led advocacy group that promotes inclusion and self-representation of the autistic community. She actively participates in shaping policies to improve the lives of autistic individuals. Beatrice's focus is reframing society's understanding of autism, particularly in girls and women. She envisions a society that embraces differences and advocates for the meaningful participation and inclusion of autistic individuals at all levels.

Irfan Mohamed

Irfan Mohamed is the co-founder of Urban Hijau, an organization dedicated to implementing sustainable solutions with a strong social impact. With expertise in urban waste management, professional training, and permaculture design, he is currently involved in initiatives to establish a training program for communities to cultivate their own food. Over the course of 8 years, Irfan has actively participated in programs focused on green waste collection for composting. He is also a vocal advocate of natural farming practices and has successfully encouraged family members and friends to compost. He played a significant role in the establishment of Thirtha Quddus, a permaculture farm in Janda Baik. Given his extensive background and knowledge, Irfan aims to shed light on the shortcomings of the current food industry and consumption patterns. He discusses the importance of growing food locally and offer insights into how society can improve food consumption through his experiences.

Irfan Muhamed

Irfan Mohamed is the co-founder of Urban Hijau, an organization dedicated to implementing sustainable solutions with a strong social impact. With expertise in urban waste management, professional training, and permaculture design, he is currently involved in initiatives to establish a training program for communities to cultivate their own food. Over the course of 8 years, Irfan has actively participated in programs focused on green waste collection for composting. He is also a vocal advocate of natural farming practices and has successfully encouraged family members and friends to compost. He played a significant role in the establishment of Thirtha Quddus, a permaculture farm in Janda Baik. Given his extensive background and knowledge, Irfan aims to shed light on the shortcomings of the current food industry and consumption patterns. He discusses the importance of growing food locally and offer insights into how society can improve food consumption through his experiences.

Justin Gerard Victor

Justin Victor is the Chairman of Befrienders Kuala Lumpur, an organization focused on suicide prevention through a helpline and public education. Justin is deeply passionate about advocating for mental health and has delivered talks and workshops on suicide prevention, depression, stress management, and helping to raise awareness and educate the public regarding a topic that is still regarded as a taboo in Malaysia, despite it no longer being considered a crime in the country. Justin is also actively involved in mental health organizations such as the Malaysian Mental Health Promotion Advisory Council (MOH) and the National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing (Malaysia). He is also an avid writer, having penned several articles addressing the increasing issue of suicide. His expertise and knowledge in this area make him well-suited to discuss the decriminalization of suicide and the associated stigma.

Michael Teoh

Michael Teoh's early experiences of overcoming bullying and surviving a life-threatening accident shaped his resilience and determination. Inspired by these lessons, he founded Thriving Talents, a talent development solutions firm that has served Fortune 500 clients globally and earned him the prestigious Malaysian Young Entrepreneur of the Year award on two occasions. For over a decade, Michael has shared his insights, stories, and passion for the younger generation, entrepreneurship, and leadership with leaders from top companies across 41 countries. His ideas have been featured on CNN, BBC, and United Nations conferences. He has also been recognized in the Malaysian Book of Records for his contribution to the development of the younger generation in the workforce. Michael's mantra in life is to promote excellence and benevolence in leadership while maintaining a humble approach. He believes in "walking with the Kings, but never losing that common touch." At TEDxUKM 2023, he discusses building successful entrepreneurship with the youth of the country, covering topics such as risks, profits, strategies, and the transformative power of ideas within ourselves.

Nadiah Abu

Being an accomplished scientist specializing in cancer detection, Dr. Nadiah Abu has made groundbreaking discoveries in the field, particularly in detecting colorectal cancer biomarkers using innovative technologies. With a Ph. D in biotechnology, her focus is on extracellular vesicle derived heat-shock protein 70 (EV-HSP70), which offers high sensitivity and accuracy in cancer detection. Dr. Nadiah's research has gained widespread recognition and she has received prestigious awards, such as the L'Oreal-Unesco For Women In Science Awards 2022 as well as being a recipient of the ICGEB Scholarship. Her work has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, she shares her insights on cell communication, its relevance to cancer cells, and her commitment to embracing new ideas for scientific progress, drawing upon her own research and experiences.

Rayhan Ahmad

Rayhan Ahmad merupakan seorang aktivis sosial dan pengamal seni budaya yang berfokus pada pembangunan sosial serta pendidikan di Malaysia. Beliau bersama rakan komuniti memulakan inisiatifnya dalam membina ruang selamat bagi anak-anak dipersekitaran urban dan membentuk pendidikan asas bagi anak-anak orang asal di kawasan luar bandar. Untuk mencapai potensi penuh mereka melaksanakan program-program pendidikan tidak formal dan keadilan sosial dengan melancarkan Sekola Baroka yang bertujuan untuk membangun pelbagai lapisan masyarakat di kawasan urbanisasi dari anak-anak peniaga bazar malam sehingga kelompok rentan seperti gelandangan, miskin bandar dengan penglibatan masyarakat setempat dan komuniti kreatif. Beliau telah menerima pengiktirafan atas usahanya dengan tersenarai dalam buku ‘Successful People in Malaysia 2020’ dan filem pendek animasi arahan serta skrip beliau "Anak Bakau Terakhir" telah ditayang ke festival-festival antarabangsa seperti Athens, New York, Jakarta dan Washington.

Stefanie Shamila Pillai

Dr. Stefanie Shamila Pillai is a Professor at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, with extensive experience as an educator. She is actively involved in preserving an endangered language in Malaysia called Melaka Portuguese, or Papiah Cristang. Collaborating with community representatives, she has developed materials to promote the use of this language and raise awareness about its unique hybrid culture. Dr. Stefanie, who has a personal connection to this minority language through her maternal heritage, shares its story and emphasizes the significance of preserving the cultural heritage of the Melaka Portuguese people.

Stuart Danker

Stuart Danker is a Malaysian writer and published author with a diverse range of writing experiences. He has written travel pieces, advertising copy, and explores different niches in his work. His passion for the written word has taken him to places like India and Vietnam, where he has written about Kushti warriors and experienced the life of tribes in the highlands. Stuart's first sci-fi novel was long-listed for the 2020 Epigram Books Fiction Prize, showcasing his versatility and talent. He aims to inspire others to embrace writing, emphasizing that literature is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of background.

TIGA SOUL

TIGA SOUL is a female trio of established singer-songwriters from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They came together after a six-month stint of cabaret nights produced by Joanne Kam in 2016 and then made their official debut independently in Theatre Lounge Cafe in early August 2017. Since then they have performed for notable clients and venues, and are currently working on their first album with award-winning producer Audi Mok, Shazee and MKNK music. Three different artists from three different backgrounds, the trio of strong independent female singer-songwriters that make up TIGA SOUL, talk about the uniqueness of diversity in artistry as local artists as well as perform a slew of their own original music.