2024 marked a significant milestone for the YTL Foundation Scholarship Programme as it received an overwhelming number of applications and welcomed 29 new scholars into its programme. We also launched a refreshed Scholar Development Programme (SDP) aimed at nurturing our local scholars into impactful leaders. The programme includes three series - ‘Leadership Foundations’, ‘Advanced Leadership’, and ‘Leadership in Action’.

The first series, ‘Leadership Foundations’ bootcamp held in AC Hotel Kuala Lumpur over three days and two nights, gave the scholars the opportunity to participate in interactive leadership sessions with Teach for Malaysia and PEMIMPIN GSL, engage with alumni Shannon Wong, Chloe Ho, and Jude Baguio in a fireside chat session, and have dinner with the Foundation team.

The Development Programme for the UK scholars was equally engaging. Held at the Grafham Water Centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the sessions focused on effective communication, conflict resolution, and leadership based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

A key highlight for the Scholarship Programme in 2024 was the Alumni Workshop led by UK Scholars’ coach, Helen Barstow. The workshop provided working alumni with a reflective space to pause, recalibrate, and plan their professional future in YTL Group. The success of this workshop led the team to introduce a pilot version of the scholar coaching for local scholars and working alumni which was also well received.

The Foundation looks forward to maintaining our dedication and support to equip our scholars and working alumni with opportunities to grow into impactful leaders through these new programmes, in 2025.

In 2024, the Teachers for Educational Equity (TFEE) team embarked on an extraordinary journey, travelling across Malaysia to support and celebrate educators committed to transforming classrooms and communities. From urban centres to remote villages, the team navigated by train, plane, and even boat to visit schools, witnessing first-hand the passion and resilience of PGCEi teachers. Despite limited resources, these educators demonstrated remarkable dedication to their students.

August marked a historic moment as YTL Foundation and the University of Birmingham celebrated Malaysia’s first PGCEi graduates. On Merdeka Day (Malaysia’s National Day on August 31), sixty graduates and six Certificate of Attendance recipients were honoured. That same month, a new PGCEi cohort was launched with 35 teachers from six states—Klang Valley, Pahang, Perak, Penang, Johor and Sarawak. Additionally, the inaugural cohort of the MA Education programme commenced, consisting of 15 participants driven to advance their expertise and inspire change.

This year also saw the launch of TFEE’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Network, offering accessible learning opportunities to educators in underserved communities. Through these bold efforts and unwavering commitment, TFEE continues to uplift educators and transform classrooms, with a vision to reach more marginalised and underserved communities across all 14 states in Malaysia by 2025.

This year, Leaps Academy recorded the highest number of student attendance with 416 students attending weekly in-person and online classes. Comprising children from the SEMOA Orang Asli Educare Center as well as B40 and refugee communities, the students were instilled with digital literacy, environmental awareness, and community spirit as part of holistic learning.

In October, UTAR lecturer, Cindy Yeoh led an engaging netiquette session, equipping students with the skills to navigate the digital world responsibly. Through interactive role-playing and discussions, participants explored digital footprints, online etiquette, and the impacts of harmful behaviours like trolling and cyberbullying. The session emphasised respectful communication, privacy protection, and fostering a more compassionate online culture.

In November, YTL Sustainability hosted a series of workshops on environmental awareness for 30 students from two refugee schools. Guided by team lead Haziq, a fellow YTL Alumni Scholar, the 4-part series encompassed topics on Food Waste, Climate Change, Water Conservation and Waste Management, introducing concepts of recycling, the waste hierarchy, and sustainable practices. Through real-life case studies and group activities, the students were inspired to take actionable steps toward reducing waste and protecting the environment.

Closing the year on a festive note, Leaps Academy hosted six Christmas parties, uniting over 480 children from the Sentul community, Orang Asli villages, and refugee schools. With the support of 70 local volunteers from UTAR and international volunteers from Bath University, the celebrations featured games and crafts, with the highlight being musical performances by 57 children who showcased their progress in music classes. These events displayed the power of community and the enduring spirit of Christmas.

Leaps Academy’s initiatives this year reflect its unwavering commitment to empowering children with the knowledge, skills, and joy to thrive in an ever-changing world.

In 2024, KelasKita continued its mission to address learning loss among B40 students, fostering academic growth and resilience through strategic partnerships and dedicated volunteer efforts. This year saw impactful collaborations with YTL Construction, Micron Technology, PwC, and Teach For Malaysia (TFM), alongside new partnerships with Good Shepherd Services (GSS) in Sabah and Ajar Society in Hulu Selangor.

PwC volunteers clocked an impressive 4,622 hours over five months, guiding nearly 50 students across three Klang Valley care homes. Their dedication yielded tangible results: 75% of students improved in Bahasa Melayu literacy, and 55% enhanced their English skills. Similarly, TFM brought together 96 UiTM volunteers to support 253 students in urban PPR communities, with 66% demonstrating academic growth.

Expanding its reach, KelasKita partnered with GSS and Ajar Society, engaging 90 students across Sabah and Hulu Selangor. With an unwavering commitment to bridging educational gaps, YTL Foundation continues to empower communities nationwide, paving the way for brighter futures.

2024 marked a transformative year for Malaysia Acumen Academy as it expanded its Fellowship into Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asia Fellowship Selection Conference in May brought together 27 extraordinary individuals, igniting a shared vision to tackle poverty and create a brighter future for the region.
In July, the 2024 Fellows embarked on their journey with a Welcome and Kick-off Orientation, building trust through storytelling and group norms. Their learning deepened during November’s Adaptive Leadership Immersive, where they tackled leadership challenges and supported one another in peer consulting sessions, forging bonds of camaraderie and shared purpose.

This year also celebrated the achievements of several Foundry Fellows:

Clara Wan (2023 Fellow): 
Founder of Graze Market and named a 2023 Acumen Angel for her impactful work addressing food waste and sustainability.

Juliana Adam (2020 Fellow): 
CEO of Biji-biji Initiative, honoured with the Founder’s Award at Tatler Malaysia’s Front & Female Awards 2024 for empowering female entrepreneurs through the Women in Entrepreneurship Bootcamp.

Maheswari Jaganathan (2020 Fellow) and Izza Izelan (2022 Fellow):
Recognised by Tatler Malaysia for their significant contributions to advancing gender equity in Malaysia.

As the Malaysia Acumen Academy reflects on a year of connection, growth, and action, the journey continues with a steadfast commitment to nurturing leaders who drive meaningful change across Southeast Asia.

In 2024, PEMIMPIN GSL continued its mission to elevate educators, celebrating their invaluable contributions and creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

Last October, the Malaysia Teacher Prize returned for its third year, bringing over 2,200 applications and nearly 300 educators together at the Asia School of Business. The event wasn’t just a recognition of achievements—it was a celebration of the profound impact teachers have on their students and communities. Graced by the Minister of Education, YB Fadhlina Sidek, and featuring Malaysia’s Queen of Rock, Ella who delivered a powerful rendition of Standing in the Eyes of the World, setting the stage for the announcement of five incredible finalists. The prestigious award was presented to Dr. Velerie Wheelervon Primus as the 2024 winner, whose unwavering commitment to his students with special needs has transformed lives through innovation and compassion. His belief that “Miracles Do Happen” was a powerful reminder of the impact educators can have on the lives of others.

Meanwhile, the fourth cohort of the LEAD Programme concluded with a showcase and graduation ceremony on December 6. Supported by Yayasan Hasanah in collaboration with the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Education Department (JPWPKL), this initiative celebrated 58 Head of Departments who completed the programme, introducing innovative interventions to improve student outcomes in schools. The Best Showcase Awards recognized outstanding projects, further cementing the programme's role in developing high-quality leaders for school transformation.

Lastly, the LADAP Plus App marked a milestone since its launch in January 2024, registering 25,339 users across 60% of public schools. With a 96% satisfaction rate and clear evidence of its impact in classrooms, the app continues to empower teachers with courses on formative assessment, scaffolding techniques, and student autonomy.

Through these initiatives, PEMIMPIN GSL underscores the transformative power of education led by dedicated teachers and leaders, embodying the Foundation’s vision of a brighter future for Malaysian students.