Meet The Team
Alina Amir
Co-founder, Business Development
Alina is one of the four co-founders at Arus, as she helps strategise to ensure the long term sustainability of Arus. Before Arus, Alina graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was also an analyst at Accenture before teaching History as a Teach For Malaysia Fellow for four years in a public school. Alina loves hiking and is currently trying to be fitter than her dad in cycling.
Felicia Yoon
Co-founder, Financial Controller
David Chak
Co-founder, Curriculum Director
David is responsible for ideating and designing the academy curriculum. He completed his degree in Psychology, minoring in Computer Science from McGill University. Before co-founding Arus, David was a Teach For Malaysia Fellow where he initiated Project, After school Coding Enterprise (ACE), a precursor to Arus. David loves Sid Meierâs Civilization so much that he vows to visit all the wonders featured in the game within his lifetime.
Daniel Russel
Co-founder, Academy Director
Daniel, a co-founder of Arus, co-designs the Arus curriculum and ensures our classes are run smoothly. He makes sure Arus is well-equipped for making and learning. Before co-founding Arus, Daniel studied Mechanical Engineering at Multimedia University and was a Teach For Malaysia Fellow who taught for 2 years. Daniel loves History. He sees historical information as little jigsaw pieces that make a big puzzle.
Yi Thing
Manager, Human Resource
Yi Thing is an innovator who advocates for lifelong learning. She graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Sciences. Having extensive experience in developing curricula and strategizing project design, creative ideas flow in her mind and transform into thoughtful, empathetic and practical projects that impact lives. Yi Thing is a Rising Star at Wedu Global and an alumna of YSEALI PFP. She loves sunsets and will watch sunrise in every new city she goes to.
Era Natasha
Manager, Communications
Natasha executes the overall strategy, research, content development, coordination and implementation of financial literacy programmes at Arus. With a Bachelorâs Degree in Communications majoring in Public Relations, she started her career in Public Relations consultancy firms before joining an ASEAN-entity and an education-focused social enterprise working with international volunteers. Being a small island girl herself, she has an interest in working with the Orang Asli communities. Natasha loves adventures like bungee jumping as much as she enjoys staying home doing nothing.
Nalissa Asri
Specialist, Youth Engagement
Nalissa helps bring projects to life by churning out new ideas and works passionately on curating online learning content for both teachers and students. She graduated from the University of New South Wales, Australia but unfortunately did not get to attend her graduation due to COVID19. Nalissa keeps herself in a good mood by curating her playlist on Spotify with funky R&B music.
Charlotte Nathan
Associate, Administration
A mother of two and previously an alternative school’s English teacher,Â
Charlotte loves working with kids, gardening, cooking and learning new things.Â
Among her signature dishes are sugee cake and Eurasian’s Debal curry. She is currently learning how to crochet.
Hafizah Ramdan
Associate, Creative Content
Hafizah is passionate about producing significant creative contents to support projects in Arus.
After finishing her master’s degree in Built Environment, she used to teach design to business and start-up owners, besides getting involved in HRDF’s community development programmes.Â
Hafizah keeps herself active and fit by hiking and roller skating.
Noor Elliesya
Associate, Creative Content
Ellie is a producer and videographer with the Arus Visual Production (AVP) team, where she collaborates closely with the Future Skills For All team to craft impactful stories on education, innovation, and student empowerment across Malaysia.
Outside of work, she enjoys binge-watching long series, catching up on naps, and discovering good food.
Farhana Adam
Assoc. Manager, Government Relations
Farhanah helps to curate and design programmes for students and teachers, empowering them to learn and teach effectively. Having graduated with a Bachelors in Social Sciences (Psychology), Farhanah’s intrigued by the human mind and is passionate about bringing social-emotional learning into the classroom! She’s always up for spontaneous adventures, and can’t choose between stargazing and hiking as her all-time favourite activities.
KhengTat Mar
Specialist, STEAM Education
KhengTat (or simply KT) is leading STEAM related outreach program in ARUS. He is a Mechanical Engineering graduate and has an MBA to balance up. He worked in semiconductor industry prior to Arus but has always stay close to education field through university program and advisory panel. He is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and love to share what he has read to anyone bored enough to listen.
Joanna Peh
Teacher, ArusxBJCK School
Joanna strives to make students’ learning experiences a meaningful, fun, safe, and engaging one through the after-school program and school.
She graduated from HELP University with a degree in Psychology. Nope, she can’t read minds but she is intrigued by the workings and connection of the human brain to our bodies and emotions.
Chasing cotton candy sunsets, delving into the realm of crime and mystery novels & TV series, and listening to jazzy Christmas tunes all year round. These are a few of her favorite things.
Aina Sahira
Teacher, ArusxBJCK School
Aina is a teacher at Sekolah Buku Jalanan Chow Kit (in case you miss it, it’s a collaboration project between Buku Jalanan Chow Kit and Arus) who ensures the kids explore the lessons through experiential learning.
She studied language and communication at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and she has a big heart for education.
She is a K-drama lover who can watch ongoing series and wait patiently every week for new episodes even when her heart might explode because of ‘aaaaa what’s next?’ question.
Lee Jie Yee
Associate, Creative Content
Jie Yee, Creative Content Associate with expertise in Graphic Design. Graduated from The One Academy Penang, passionate about exploring the unexpected.
Jie Yee enjoys diving into memes and creating random things.
Nabiha Mazlan
Teacher, ArusxBJCK School
Nabiha is a mathematician who teaches Mathematics and Science subjects in primary school who is also known as a “Cikgu Sifir” among students.
She graduated from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with a First Class Degree in Mathematical Sciences, at the same time received the Vice Chancellor’s Award and was awarded as The Best Graduate of The Program.
Nabiha loves to bake and play music instruments. She has her own small business where she sells all kinds of desserts. She has also participated in many competitions in the Marching Band as a part of the percussionist.
Siti Puteri
Teacher, Maker Academy
Puteri is an academy teacher in Arus and she supports the implementation of innovative approaches to learning and classroom experience.
Siti Puteri achieved her Master’s degree in Mathematics from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Siti Puteri loves to watch vlogs on YouTube and murder documentaries on Netflix.
Nurul Nadiah
Teacher, BJCK
Nadiah, a primary homeroom teacher, teaches Bahasa Melayu, English, and History. She immensely enjoys teaching, which has granted her substantial experience in the field. ArusxBJCK marks the fifth school where she has pursued her teaching career.
She believes that as a teacher, her role extends beyond academic instruction to educating students as a whole.
In her leisure time, she loves watching Asian dramas, particularly period dramas, appreciating the beauty portrayed in scenes, including fashion, food, and diverse cultures.
Amir Zakwan
Training Associate
Amir completed his counselling studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia and is strongly interested in sharing knowledge and advocating for emotional management, life planning, and individual development, particularly among youth.
Amir has been involved in educating people from diverse backgrounds to enhance their skills in many areas, and making a difference in someone’s life seems like a wonderful experience to me. He enjoys pushing himself to adapt to various environments and learning more about human behaviours and the mind.
Nirmaladevi Aravinthan
Associate, STEAM
Nirmaladevi, a STEAM Associate, organizes STEAM programs and events with Arus.Â
Armed with a B.Sc in Agrotechnology from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, she’s ventured across diverse sectors like banking and education. Her journey showcases a keen curiosity, embracing continuous learning, and occasional melodies through singing.Â
Beyond this, she finds solace in the world of books, relishing intellectual dialogues as they stimulate her mind and enrich her perspectives.
Siranjeev Ram
Associate, STEAM
Siranjeev is a passionate International Affairs grad from UUM, now driving STEAM outreach in Arus.Â
He is committed to empowering youth & educators through diverse programs. He is actively engaged in Malaysian Youth Parliament, Malaysian Indian Youth Council, as well as a MyDiplomacy alumni.Â
Siranjeev advocates for politics, education, and youth causes. His love towards Anime and movies add vibrancy to his life’s pursuits.
Muhammad Afiq
Associate, IT Developer
Muhammad Afiq is an IT Associate Developer in Arus, graduated in Bachelor of Information Systems (HONS.) Intelligent System Engineering. He is an adventurous learner, he like to explore and learn something new.
In his leisure, he enjoys both listening to music and playing games. His versatility extends not only to his professional endeavors but also to his proficiency in gaming.
He lives by a guiding principle that resonates within him: “The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on for so long.” This quote serves as a constant reminder to persevere and find strength in the reasons that have kept him resilient.
Mulqis Abdullah
Teacher, BJCK
High-energy teacher at ARUSXBJCK with a passion for history and curiosity for knowledge. My background in History and Civilization (IIUM) fuels my love for the past, while my current interests lie in programming.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, playing badminton, exercising, swimming, or exploring nature.
Banu Chandran
Teacher, BJCK
Banu enjoys teaching Science and English at the BJCK Secondary School. She hopes to one-day influence education policies in Malaysia.
Before Arus, she studied psychology at the Queen’s University of Belfast, graduating with an honors degree in 2022.
Banu enjoys traveling and challenges herself to try new things. Her current goal is to convince her father to let her adopt an old shelter cat so it can live its last days in comfort and peace.
Ling
Teacher, BJCK
“As a part-time poet and full-time teacher, she delve into books to uncover life’s hidden meanings and embody these insights in my daily life.
She constantly seeking valuable experiences, growing, learning, and aspiring to serve everyone and anyone she can reach.”
Afiq Iskandar
Training Associate
Afiq Iskandar, born and raised in Selangor, is passionate about community development and education. With a background in computer science and interests in finance, psychology, and education, he has impacted thousands through self and community initiatives.
Co-founding an organization to foster collaboration, Afiq believes in perseverance and the value of hard work. Inspired by his parents, he aims to build an academy that nurtures childrenâs education, creating stronger families and communities.
Sharmanshah Shahren
Training Associate
Shah passionates in project management and coordination. Experienced in policy advocacy, data-driven research and event management in various industry.
He achieved his Bachelor Degree in Political Sciences from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).
Shah loves to play football, mobile games and a musical instrument enthusiast.
Anis Fatinah Redwan
Teacher, Maker Academy
Anis holds a Masterâs degree in Science Education from the National University of Malaysia (UKM). She believes that every child can bloom in various ways and directions with the right guidance. She is passionate about nurturing potential and sharpening childrenâs thinking skills.
Anis loves dedicating her time to creating impactful learning experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys painting and spending quality time with her two active sons.
Tulasi Maharani
Programme Associate
An International Relations graduate and a proud Sabahan at heart, Tulasi is Arus Academyâs intern-turned-staff, shaped by a binational, biracial, and bilingual upbringing. She loves building bridges by empowering underprivileged communities through education.
Passionate about working with youths, Tulasi is part of Fun(d) For Life Uni Edition, a financial literacy programme that equips university students from low-income backgrounds with effective financial management and positive money habits. Beyond work, sheâs often found hiking, buried in a book, or lost in music.
Alfiqrie Nasir
Teacher, BJCK
By day, Alfiqrie is a Lower Primary Homeroom Teacher shaping young minds; by night, heâs fueled by coffee, lost in novels about mental health, and always accompanied by good music.
His teaching is guided by patience, empathy, and just the right amount of caffeine.