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From Ipoh to Melbourne: A Story of Tenacity, Fusion and Cultural Heritage

Melbourne’s vibrant cityscape hosts many stories, but Dr. Raja Yasmin’s journey stands out. Hailing from Ipoh, Dr. Raja Yasmin is a beacon of determination, reflecting the potential Malaysians can unlock abroad. Over her 15-year residence in Melbourne, she has seamlessly interwoven her rich cultural roots with her adopted land’s essence, fuelled by her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to female empowerment.

The Entrepreneurial Drive

Dr. Raja Yasmin wore multiple hats during her early days abroad. From helming a restaurant amidst Melbourne’s buzz to steering a laundry business in Malaysia.

“I launched a restaurant in 2011, targeting the surging demand for halal delicacies, predominantly from Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean tourists. We’ve had the pleasure of serving tourists, dignitaries and celebrities from Malaysia,” she notes.

Her experience wasn’t limited to business ownership; she showcased her marketing expertise and shared her insights as a lecturer at various universities. Determined to do more, she devoted herself to coaching and conducting workshops for female entrepreneurs, imparting her valuable knowledge to those striving for success. Her international perspective, forged through experiences in Malaysia and Australia, has equipped her with a unique outlook that continues to shape her journey.

Empowering Women Across Borders

One of the most remarkable aspects of her journey is her commitment to supporting migrant and refugee women in Australia. Recognising their challenges with language barriers and cultural adjustment, she offered her pro bono coaching to uplift and inspire these women.

“I feel so grateful and honoured to support these women who face immense struggles when moving to a new country. They start from zero, battling challenges, fears and often language barriers. I see it as my mission to empower them, to instil in them the strength and confidence to get back on track.”

Drawing from personal experiences as a migrant, she wrote a book called “She Inspires Leaders”, which amplifies the voices of diverse women of faith, guiding and motivating women worldwide. These real stories highlight the lives of regular women who have faced exceptional challenges but demonstrated strength and resilience in the face of difficulties.

“When you read about others’ challenges and how they overcame them, it resonates and motivates you,” she shares.

Finding ‘Home’ in Melbourne

For Dr. Raja Yasmin, Melbourne has been both challenging and rewarding. Memories of family moments in Malaysia tugged at her heartstrings, but her dedication to her children’s future kept her grounded.

“The culture here is like a melting pot,” Dr. Raja Yasmin remarked, captivated by Melbourne’s rich cultural diversity. A recent Hari Raya event highlighted Melbourne’s cultural fusion depth. Invited by her Vietnamese friend who had embraced Islam, she encountered Vietnamese and Cambodian individuals fluent in Malay after years of residing in Malaysia. The thread of shared Muslim identity tied them all together, infusing the event with an even greater sense of significance.

“I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn about people from different cultures and backgrounds, especially when trying new foods. It’s amazing to have exposure to Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisines, which I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Preserving the Malay Essence

Even oceans away, Dr. Raja Yasmin’s Malaysian identity remains robust. Engaged with multiple Malay associations, she stands out as a DJ for 3ZZZ’s Suara Melayu segment and president of the Malay Council of Victoria (MCOV).

When asked what songs she plays on the show, she says, “I play songs from artists like Siti Nurhaliza, but I must admit, I have a soft spot for Dondang Sayang”. Meanwhile, MCOV vigorously champions Malay culture under her stewardship, collaborating with associations globally. Hosting open houses and teaching traditional Malay dances, she ensures the essence of her culture is felt and celebrated.

According to Dr. Raja Yasmin, the Malay culture isn’t as prominent in Australia as other Southeast Asian cultures. Compared to associations from the Philippines or Indonesia, the representation of Malay and Malaysian cultures is minimal. But she aims to change that, “By connecting with other Malay organisations from different areas, we’re trying to showcase and market Malaysian culture more prominently here collectively,” she passionately declares.

Challenges, Resilience and Embracing Change

Being a minority presented its own set of challenges. “I consistently put in extra effort to validate my capabilities,” she acknowledges. Yet, her story symbolises that cultural differences can be assets, enabling unique strengths to flourish.

Her manifold ventures, steadfast commitment to empowerment and cultural legacy exemplify what’s achievable when challenges are met with tenacity. Embodying her motto, “Say yes and work out how,” Dr. Raja Yasmin encourages all to chase their dreams while cherishing their roots.

If you’re a Malaysian residing abroad like Dr. Raja Yasmin, join MyHeart to be part of a global community with Malaysians at its heart.

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Dr Catheryn Lim

Who is Dr Catheryn Lim?

Currently a Senior Research Fellow at Matthew Wood group and Chair, Early-Mid Career Researchers Committee at Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford. Received her Ph.D., Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from UNSW Dr. Lim is now working on understanding disease mechanisms and developing genetic treatments for neuromuscular diseases. Two of these strategies are now at later stages of development where she is collaborating with industrial partners to optimise the strategies in preparation for first-in-human clinical trials.

Format of the sharing session

The participants for the session consisted of students and academicians coming from various biological and related sciences background.

During the session, Dr. Lim shared about her experience and journey in the research world and delved into the new developments being made in genetic treatments (specifically in neuromuscular diseases). She also shared some tips and advice on how to be active in the biotechnology research industry.

Outcome

The session has exposed 183 participants to new development in genetic treatments (specifically in neuromuscular diseases).

Dr Aid Fawzal

Who is Dr Aid Fawzal?

Experienced CFD Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive, energy and oil & gas industries. Strong professional background with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical, Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering from Coventry University. Invented a constant number which is called the Fawzal Number (Fa) which is used to optimize supercar’s cooling system.

Format of the sharing session

Our participants consist of students from various engineering field and various level of studies, from bachelor’s degree to PhD.

During the session, Dr Aid shared with us the step-by-step process involved in designing a car using a simulation software where he explained why certain components are designed in such ways and the importance of each component. He also shared some tips to students who are planning to go into the automotive field.

Outcome

The session has benefited 284 participants with new knowledge and exposure to the automotive world and inspire our future engineers to pursue and improve our automotive industry.

Samantha Chong

In 2022, we collaborated with KL City Opera and organised a masterclass with Samantha Chong, a Malaysian mezzo-soprano based in Hong Kong

Objective

To develop the performing arts scene in Malaysia via a collaboration with a leading name in classical Italian opera.

Format of the masterclass

The masterclass was held over 2 days, where 4 participants were selected to perform an aria or duet. Samantha then provided verbal and demonstrative feedback to each participant for 7-9 minutes each, which included song and scene interpretation, and stage presence.

Outcome

Samantha made a conscious effort to focus her sharing NOT on singing, but on the various aspects of performance, something that Malaysian performers lacked. So, MyCollabs acted as a medium for her to guide the students in navigating the world of classical opera, including dealing with different stakeholders like conductors, music directors and repetiteurs.

The students, on the other hand, received a rare opportunity to undergo a masterclass conducted by a seasoned performer for free. They could then use the knowledge they gained to enhance their opera skills and hopefully, pursue a career as full-time professional opera singers, something which is a rarity in Asia.