Speakers

Detailed Bio

Professor Mallika Vasugi Govindarajoo, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at UNITAR International University, brings over 40 years of experience to English Language Teaching (ELT). Having served as a high school teacher and advisor for Malaysia’s Trust School transformation project, she now leads academic initiatives focused on creative writing. Her role as a columnist for The Star’s Teacher Talk has amplified her influence in education. Govindarajoo’s expertise in using storytelling to enhance language skills has made her a sought-after speaker at Asian conferences. Her work bridges literature and ELT, encouraging students to develop linguistic proficiency through creative expression and cultural exploration.

Impact Story:

In 2021, Professor Mallika Vasugi Govindarajoo led a creative writing programme for 500 secondary students in Johor, funded by UNITAR International University. The initiative, spanning four months, taught students to craft short stories, boosting their writing confidence by 30%, according to teacher feedback. One student’s story won a national competition, with her principal noting, “Mallika’s approach made writing exciting.” By integrating storytelling into ELT, Govindarajoo has transformed classrooms, enabling students to express complex ideas in English while fostering a love for literature, in line with her vision of education as a creative catalyst.