SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS SYMPOSIUM SEN 2025 - ASEAN EDITION

SEN 2025 THEME

Together We Thrive: Strengthening the Special Needs Community Through Inclusive Partnerships

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SEN 2025 KEY MESSAGE

In this milestone ASEAN edition, we celebrate regional collaboration and shared commitment to ensure that every child — regardless of ability thrives in an inclusive, empowered society.

SEN SYMPOSIUM 2025 AGENDA

22 November | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kiwanis Left Logo Kiwanis Right Logo

SEN Symposium 2025

22 November 2025

“Together We Thrive: Strengthening the Special Needs Community through Inclusive Partnerships”


Tentative Programme of The Day
Time Description
8:00 AM Registration + Light Refreshment
8:50 AM Spotlight on Keyboardist Stephanie Tam
9:15 AM Opening Ceremony
  • Welcome and Opening Remarks by Organizing Chairperson
    Ms. Rani Wemel, Director of Learning, Kiwanis Malaysia Academy | COO, LTT Global Communications S/B
  • Speech by Dato’ Stewart Labrooy, Chairman Kiwanis Khir Johari Foundation | Past Governor – Kiwanis Malaysia | Legion of Honour Recipient for 30 years of Service in Kiwanis | Executive Chairman of AREA Management
  • Opening Address by Guest of Honour – YB Senator Tuan Isaiah D Jacob (Member of Dewan Negara (Senate) | Head of Bureau of Persons with Disabilities Malaysia | Chairman of the Commonwealth People with Disabilities for the year 2025 – 2028)
  • Opening Ceremony
Soft Launch & Keynote
10:00 AM
  • Speech by Dato’ Fatimah Saad, Chairperson – Kiwanis Malaysia Academy | Past Governor – Kiwanis Malaysia | Legion of Honor Recipient for 30 years of Service in Kiwanis | Retired Director General, LPPKN, Ministry of Women and Family Welfare

Building an Inclusive Future, Together:
  • Soft Launch: “My Special Education Needs Support Exchange (MySENSE)”
  • Spotlight Showcase: “Celebrating Excelling Neurodivergent Talents”
10:30 AM Keynote Address by YAM Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz
“The Future is Inclusive: Advancing Equity in Education for Neurodiverse Learners Through Partnerships”
11:00 AM Morning Tea & Networking
Panel Discussions
11:15 AM Panel #1: “Bridging Policy and Practice – Public-Private Partnerships that Deliver.”

Moderator:
Dato' Satinah Syed Saleh, A strategic Education Leader, Consultant, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Cyberjaya, also Deputy President of Malaysian Children's Aid Society (MACAS), former President and current Advisor of Malaysian Association for Education (MAE), and a proud Harvard alumni

Speakers:
  • Ms Aidonna Jun Ayub, Head & Programme Manager, Social Enterprise Education Lab (Seed.Lab), Petronas
  • YBrs. Mr. Pathmanathan R. Nalasamy, Pengarah Jabatan Pembangunan Orang Kurang Upaya (JPOKU), Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Malaysia
  • En. Muhamad Hafez Bin Kamaruddin, Ketua Bahagian Operasi Wilayah, Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp)
  • Mr. Ivan Chin, The CEO of Extra-ordinary People, Singapore
12:00 PM Panel #2: “Tech with Purpose – Empowering SEN Communities Through Smart Solutions.”

Moderator:
Ms. Armani Shahrin, Founder – Nakseni; Project Consultant for We&I Art; Co-Founder of Inclucity

Speakers:
  • Ms. Grace Chow, Founder and CEO, ACTIVBOT, Malaysia
  • Ms. Zatil Ridwah, Nisai Group | International education provider focused on inclusive and online learning; Distinguished Judge at SDGs competition
  • Mr. Ameer Ridhwan
  • Ms. Siti Ainulmursyida Binti Shamsudin Special Needs Education Teacher, SMK Orkid Desa; A multi-award-winning teacher with 16 years’ SEN experience who uses technology to unlock opportunities for diverse learners. A Google Certified Trainer & Innovator, Apple Learning Coach, and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, she champions inclusive digital learning for neurodivergent students.
12:50 PM Special Address by Mr Gary KL Wong. Governor, Kiwanis Malaysia
1:00 PM Lunch & Networking
2:00 PM Spotlight on Rajvin Kaur Randhawa - Time for Laughter Yoga
2:10 PM Panel #3: “Guiding Hands, Growing Minds – Parents as Champions Through the SEN Journey.”

Moderator: Datin Hasnah Abdul Rahman, Co-Founder and CEO – New Malaysia Herald | Malaysian Media Professional | Social Advocate

Speakers:
  • Ms. Ophelia Loh, Founder & CEO, Ophelia Mind Consultancy; Board Certified & Accredited NLP, Hypnosis & Time Line Therapy
  • Ms. Hanizan Hussin, President, Down Syndrome Association Malaysia; Advocate & Expert; Recipient of Anugerah Ibu Kiwanis 2002 & 2024
  • Dr. Choy Su Ling, Founder of Altuz Academy; Certified Dyslexia Orton-Gillingham Reading Specialist
  • Awaiting confirmation of another speaker.
2:45 PM Panel #4: “Learning Without Limits – Reimagining Curriculums for Neurodiverse Learners.”

Moderator: Olive Beverley Walls, Founder & Head Teacher – Star Vista Education | Specialist Assessor RQTU | Brain Gym Facilitator | Educational Assessment & Learning Support Advisor, University of Nottingham; Global Women of Influence Award 2024 recipient

Speakers:
  • Mr. Mohd Akif Farhan Bin Ahmad Basri, Lecturer, School of Liberal Arts & Sciences; Consultant Clinical Psychologist; Best-Selling Author; Gold Award Winner at International E-Content Development Competition 2025
  • Ms. Alexa Goh, Educator; Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA, MCBA); President – Malaysia Association of Behavior Analysis (MABA)
  • Dr. Nancy Menon, Entrepreneur | Educator | Mental Health and Special Needs Care Advocate
  • Pengiran Sarimah Pg Latiff Abbas, Chairwoman, Infocom Federation Brunei | Board of Trustee Member – Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Hajjah Al-Maryam
3:30 PM Afternoon Tea & Networking
3:45 PM Panel #5: “Special Children Matter: Unlocking Talent – Supporting Strengths, Not Fixing Differences.”

Moderator: Ms. Desiree Kaur, Founder of Project Haans; Mother; Teacher; Writer; Podcaster on Kita Family Podcast | Autism and Neurodiversity Advocate

Speakers:
  • Ir. Ts. Dr. Ashita Pereira, Engineer; Mother of Krithin Paul Pereira, a talented Malaysian Artist with Cerebral Palsy
  • H.E. Mr Rocky J. Pesik, Founder – Kopi Kamu (a coffee shop well-known for employing baristas with Down syndrome)
  • Mr. Jonathan Lee, Managing Partner – Direct Results; Certified Job Coach; Parent Advocate; Inclusive Employment & Workforce Development Initiatives
  • Suresh Unnikrishnan - Global Partnerships Officer, LTT Global Communications, Chairman - The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Gombak, Autism Advocate
Closing Ceremony
4:30 PM Closing Remarks by Dato’ Fatimah Saad, Chairperson – Kiwanis Malaysia Academy | Past Governor – Kiwanis Malaysia | Legion of Honor Recipient for 30 years of Service in Kiwanis | Retired Director General, LPPKN, Ministry of Women and Family Welfare.
5:00 PM Ends

SEN SYMPOSIUMS SINCE 2021

Founding the SEN Symposium

Raising awareness & understanding since 2021

The Special Education Needs (SEN) Symposium, organized annually by Kiwanis Malaysia Academy (KMA) since 2021, aims to raise awareness and understanding of the neurodivergent community. Ever since, the symposium has engaged NGOs, educators, parents, and government officers, with participation growing through virtual and in-person events.

Buy a Ticket

Secure your seat to learn, network, and engage with experts in the field of Special Education.

Sponsor a Teacher

If you can’t attend, you may sponsor tickets for Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers. This gives frontline educators the chance to gain new skills, insights, and connections that directly benefit their students.


Calling Government Officials & Policy Makers Academics and Researchers | Parents & Community Members | Non-Profit Organizations & Advocates | Professionals | Educators, Students (Future Educators, Psychologists) | Parents & Community Members and anyone in this Special Educational Needs.

Limited spaces are available
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01 Nov to 22 Nov

Malaysians

RM250

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01 Nov to 22 Nov

International

USD100

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please go to: Payment Link

Objectives of SEN 2025 - ASEAN Edition

Celebrate ASEAN Partnerships

Unite changemakers across the region to build lasting, inclusive impact together.

Elevate Diverse Voices

Center the lived experiences of neurodivergent youth, caregivers, and advocates.

Showcase Innovative Solutions

Highlight tools and strategies that truly empower learners of all abilities.

Empower Through Knowledge

Equip families, educators, and leaders with insights to better support their communities.

Reaffirm Our Commitment

Strengthen our shared promise to build a future where no one is left behind.

SEN Symposium is Aligned to the 6 core Pillars of Malaysia Madani

Parents have always been continuously searching for formulae and tips in their roles to ensure that the best interests of their children. Since our Prime Minister; YAB Datuk Seri Anuar Ibrahim announced during the budget presentation of the SIX Core Pillars of Malaysia Madani, Kiwanis Malaysia Academy has taken the liberty to align its annual SEN Symposium to address Core Pillar #6; Care and Compassion. Not only this pillar is congruent with Kiwanis 6 Objects and motto, but it also helps us focus the roles of parenthood in ensuring the future of the special needs children to ensure that they have a livelihood that is financially independent. When we curate our learning events to guarantee this, we guarantee that our special needs children will grow to be future-ready, relevant and marketable.

Thanks to our partners

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Supporting Partners
Supporting Clubs

Media Partners
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