Careers Fair 2025
A message from Mr Thomas Yarlett, Careers Guidance Coordinator
On behalf of the Careers Fair team, I would personally like to invite you all to this year ’ s event. I am sure that you will join me in welcoming 17 guest speakers, who have kindly agreed to spend their Saturday morning sharing their invaluable experiences with you
As a Year 11 or Year 12 student, you have some big decisions on your horizon Whether it be choosing your A Level subjects for next year or finalising which university courses you are going to apply to, these decisions are better made when you have explored options, gathered information and listened to the advice of experts.
This programme contains a personal profile for each of the guest speakers – an insight into the presentations they will give. Please read through all of them carefully, then decide which talks you would like to attend A reminder that if you are in Year 11, you are expected to attend all 3 talks. Year 12 students must attend at least 2 talks. The event will be concluded with a Q&A session in the Auditorium with all speakers and students in attendance.
The full schedule is shown below. I look forward to seeing you all on the day.
Our Speakers...
Darrell Tan CEO of Bakrie Renewable Chemicals
Darrell Tan is an experienced business leader with significant exposure in the renewable chemicals, oleochemicals, and food industries, with professional experience in Malaysia and Indonesia. He obtained an Engineering degree (Food & Process) from the University of Putra Malaysia, graduating with Dean’s List honors. Additionally, he holds advanced certifications in Negotiation Mastery (Harvard Business School Online), Advanced Business Strategy (Darden School of Business), and Climate Change & Sustainability (NUS), among others. He is passionate about fostering innovation, empowering teams, and driving sustainable growth from strategy and mindset aspects while delivering long-term value to businesses and communities.
Dzof Azmi Freelance Writer
Dzof Azmi is a seasoned media professional with over two decades of experience across diverse platforms. He has penned acclaimed television dramas for local and regional channels, and crafted compelling documentaries, including for National Geographic and the History Channel. His work extends to print, with a regular column in the "Star" newspaper advocating for unity and optimism. Furthermore, Dzof possesses a strong background in corporate communications, having developed public releases for both regional and multinational companies.
Farah Azizan
Creative Director at Studio Bikin
Farah Azizan obtained her BA in architecture at Nottingham University, UK and pursued her diploma in Architecture at the Architecture Association, London. Upon graduating in 2004, she worked for Tonkin Liu Architects, returned to Kuala Lumpur and joined Seksan Design where she practiced landscape and architectural design for 6 years. Apart from working with Seksan Design, Farah was involved in teaching as guest critics to several local architecture schools. She has also created a few installations, namely Kursi Lapuk in the exhibition ‘Processing the City’, neon light installations in ‘The Last Call’, the Bombay Sapphire project with VWFA and her bottle-light installations in ‘The Light Show’ which she co-curated with Carolyn Lau and Lisa Foo. In 2012, she set up Studio Bikin with Adela Askandar.
Our Speakers...
Fariz Abdul Aziz Partner at Skrine Advocates and Solicitors
Fariz attended KTJ from 1996 to 2000, before attending Hurtwoord House school in the UK. Fariz then read law at Kings College London before completing his training as a barrister at the Inns of Court, School of Law. Upon returning to Malaysia, Fariz completed his pupillage (chambering) at Wong & Partners, Baker Mckenzie in Kuala Lumpur. He joined his present firm in 2012 as associate and had been a partner since 2020. Fariz’s practice involves domestic and cross border mergers & acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, privatisations, foreign investment, private equity investments and advisory services. Key industries which Fariz is active in include oil & gas, petrochemicals, power, maritime and insurance.
Hastha Chithiran Mechanical Rotating Engineer at Petronas
Ts. Hastha Chithiran serves as a Mechanical Rotating Engineer at PETRONAS Chemicals Ethylene Sdn Bhd, where he has grown and contributed his expertise for the past four years. He graduated from the University of Bath with an MEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, sponsored by PETRONAS. Intrigued by the dichotomy of engineering work, Hastha invites you to explore whether an engineer's role revolves around paperwork in the office or hands-on tinkering with machines on-site. Do all engineers really do engineering work? Come and find out through Hastha's unique perspective and professional journey.
James Ng Zhu Yang
Data Analytics and Recruitment
James Ng’s career reflects his personal journey in bridging data and people. With early internships in law, engineering, and wealth management, James transitioned into a data analytics role in financial crime compliance at Public Bank after earning an MSc in Data Science and Analytics from Cardiff University. He now thrives as a recruitment consultant at Hays, driven by a meaningful purpose: fostering genuine connections with the "data" of people. James shares his journey of data in finance, specifically his time as a data analyst at Public Bank, and of transitioning from technical problem-solving to bringing individuals to purposeful careers, blending analytics with empathy. He also shares his journey researching the perfect brownie.
Our Speakers...
Lisa Ong Hooi Chen Director at Malaysian Solar Resources
After completing a Biomedical Science degree at Monash University in Malaysia, Lisa has garnered a wealth of experience in a range of career areas, from policy to finance. Now the Director of Malaysian Solar Resources, Lisa and her team focus on the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of solar-based renewable energy technologies across the country. Lisa is keen to share her insights into the crucial role that solar panels have to play in driving Malaysia, and the rest of the world, toward a greener future.
Melody Sia and Tan Yee Ho Private Banker and Industry Banker at United Overseas Bank
Melody Sia completed her Marine Science degree at the National University of Malaysia, and she has achieved her Certified Financial Planner qualification in Canada. She started her career with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as an insurance advisor, and then became a banking advisor, a financial advisor and her last position was a financial planner with RBC as a healthcare specialist. After moving to Singapore mid 2024, she passed the Client Adviser Competency Standards exams in Singapore and has since joined the UOB Private Banking team under the High Networth and Ultra High Networth division.
Tan Yee Ho completed his A Levels in KTJ and pursued Engineering Science, at Jesus College, Oxford University. He started his career as an engineer with Shell Malaysia and Shell China and moved into business development roles with Shell Singapore and Shell Canada. After obtaining his postgraduate diploma in Marketing (Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK) and passing the Chartered Financial Analyst level 1 exams, he joined United Overseas Bank (UOB) in Canada as a Corporate Banker covering the North American energy markets, and has recently moved back to UOB Singapore as an Industry Banker covering the battery energy segment.
Our Speakers...
Nadiah Hanim President of the Malaysian Rare
Disorders Society
With over 20 years of experience spanning corporate, NGO, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarian sectors, Nadiah is committed to creating meaningful, inclusive solutions for complex challenges. Her work focuses on climate resilience and adaptation, rare diseases, disability advocacy, and broader issues such as social inequity, business and human rights, youth enablement, and child rights. Currently, she serves as the President of the Malaysian Rare Disorders Society, Regional Representative for Southeast Asia, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Algeria, and South Korea for the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation, and is a Board Council Member of Rare Disease International.
Nadia is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Taylor’s University, Board Trustee of RHB Foundation, a Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Consultant, Co-founder of social enterprises PlayUnlimited and OpiS International, an anchor with BernamaTV, and an Assistant Child Protector for the Petaling District. From grassroots and public initiatives like Malaysia’s first Online Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Materials reporting portal to global advocacy at platforms such as the UN General Assembly and World Health Assembly, Nadiah’s work bridges local action with global change. Her focus remains on building inclusive frameworks and policies that leave no one behind. Nadiah believes in the power ideas to foster healthier, more resilient, and adaptive enablement and fostering shared ownership of progress.
Nadzirah Hashim CEO and Marketing Strategist at the Wavemakers Collective
As the CEO and Strategist of the Wavemakers Collective, Nadzirah has over a decade of experience in marketing & communications. She has successfully led regional marketing campaigns for companies such as ClassPass in Malaysia, Lelewatu Resort in Indonesia, and the Miru Collection Hotels in Japan. Leading an all-female team across Southeast Asia, Nadzirah is currently based in Bali, Indonesia. Passionate about education and empowerment, she also mentors at Futurelabs, where she offers advice to mentees on how to select a suitable career path, master public speaking, and gain insight into the fundamentals of marketing.
Our Speakers...
Encik Noor Azri Bin Dato' Sri Noor Azerai
Executive Chairman of Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre
Encik Noor Azri Bin Dato' Sri Noor Azerai has experience in Corporate Finance and Investment in Equity & Commodity Derivatives during his stint with M&A Securities Sdn Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Berhad respectively, involving Initial Public Offering (IPO) exercise as well as managing portfolios of high value net worth individuals. He sits in a few boards of listed companies and he currently runs a healthcare company named MGRC Berhad as Executive Chairman. He also manages an investment company investing in various businesses. Noor Azri will share his journey and experience running a healthcare company from a non-medical background perspective.
Pengiran Nazrin Manager at Fave
Pengiran Nazrin holds a degree in Computer Science from King's College London, specialising in Artificial Intelligence. He began his career at Fave, a local startup acquired by Pine Labs, a leading Indian point-of-sale and payment systems company. Over five years, he progressed from Software Engineer to Manager, excelling in software development and leadership. With extensive experience in startups and navigating their transition to larger corporate structures, Pengiran brings valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of working in dynamic environments. He will share his journey, offering lessons on growth, adaptability, and success in the tech industry.
Qahl Ariff Redza Deputy Director at The Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission
Qahl currently serves as a Deputy Director at MCMC, where his division, Community and Future Inclusion, focuses on empowering underserved communities, including the elderly, youth, and individuals with disabilities, by promoting the adoption of digital payments and transactions. Qahl graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Loughborough University, UK in 2017. With seven years of diverse professional experience, Qahl brings a unique perspective, having worked in a GLC, an MNC, and now within the government sector. He is eager to share his insights and experiences with KTJ students.
Our Speakers...
Shahrul Nizam Kamil Pilot for Malaysia Airlines
Captain Sharul Nizam , graduated from British Aerospace Flight Training in Prestwick, Scotland. Started his career as a young cadet pilot for Malaysia Airlines in 1997 and is currently a wide body Commander flying the Airbus A330 for the same company. With 27 years of flying experience, he will sharing his journey and stories as a professional airline pilot. In this maledominated profession, he wishes that more female will aspire to become pilots , to change to aviation landscape in Malaysia.
Teh Khoon Kheng Consultant and McKinsey & Company
Khoon Kheng (KK) graduated as M.Eng Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge. As a Petronas scholar, he started his career in oil & gas industry, focusing on global LNG trading, operations and value optimisation. He also took on roles renewable energy and downstream petrochemical industry, looking into circular economy in plastic production. Currently he's an Associate in McKinsey management consulting firm, with experience in semiconductor, healthcare, M&A, ports and terminals, and power sectors. He would be happy to share the thinking behind his career path and how you could also shape your own career journey!
Dr. Vijaya Shankar Arunachalam
General Surgeon at KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital
Dr A. Vijaya Shankar graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, India. He completed his Basic Surgical Training (Edinburgh), Master of Surgery (University Malaya) and Fellowship in Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery (MOH). He served the Ministry of Health (MOH) for 20 years prior to his retirement. He is a committee member of MUGIS (Malaysian Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Society) and a faculty of the Academy for Silent Mentor, training medical students and surgical trainees, basic laparoscopic and general surgery. He currently practices in KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital and has a keen interest in medical history.
