APU Students Among Asia’s Top 100 Young Talents

Kelwin Chew’s introverted-to-extroverted transformation story has been recognised for his ability to influence, innovate, and inspire others.

Important events in our lives, such as getting a driver’s license, attending university, or starting a first job can cause a transformation in our lives that can be extremely radical.

Without transformation, we risk becoming irrelevant in today’s fast-changing landscape because human transformation provides a clear path for each individual to live up to their full potential and to live their lives with greater purpose.

As for Muhammad Kelwin Mohd. Sharizuan Chew, a Data Analytics student, achieved his goal of being named one of the Top 100 Asia Young Talents in his early twenties thanks to his introverted-to-extroverted transformation story.

According to him, this is his first nomination for such an award, and he is surprised that his own transformational story — The Extroverted Introvert: A Transformation Story — has inspired, innovated, and influenced people around him to the point where he has been nominated for the Monstar Asia Young Talent Awards 2022.

Wall of fame: Kelwin, seventh from the left in the top row, with the other Top 100 Monstar Asia Young Talent Awards 2022 nominees.

Kelwin Chew was chosen from among 900 nominees from 26 communities and campus partners from seven countries by a panel of judges that included Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir (Malaysian socio-political activist & writer), Natalia Navin (Chief Human Resource Officer of Maxis), Tan Sri Jemilah Mahmood (Humanitarian, Sustainability & Planetary Health Advocate), Chef Wan (Malaysian celebrity chef and entrepreneur), and Hassan Salahuddin (Former Head of Creator Partnership of Meta Malaysia & Pakistan).

“When I was a kid, I used to be a very shy and timid person who always keeps the ‘no’ word in my mind because of fear. My introverted personality has limited my interaction with the outside world.

“In addition to having a smaller body than my peers, I was frequently teased and despised by those around me. After being deeply impacted by the surrounding negative vibes and criticism, I told myself it was time to change,” Kelwin explained.

From shy introvert to head prefect and APU student

His transformation began in primary school, when he was unexpectedly appointed as the school’s head prefect at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Chan Wa, Negeri Sembilan.

He was given a torch of encouragement at the most hopeless point in his life, and he was genuinely surprised and grateful that his teachers had placed their faith in him.

Kelwin is always looking for ways to improve himself until he finishes secondary school at Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Chan Wa II in Negeri Sembilan.

He became a regular member of the school robotics club and eventually rose to the position of chairman out of curiosity, hoping that one day he will be able to innovate solutions using technology that add value and contribute to society.

His determination enabled him to create two projects in response to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2017, a smart waste management system automated using robots has been invented to create sustainable cities and communities.

In the following year 2018, he developed a peanut butter autonomous system that promotes sustainable agriculture, improves nutrition, achieves food security and most importantly ends hunger.

For the first time, he and his school’s team secure a spot to represent Malaysia at the World Robot Olympiad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with these projects.

The life-changing event was still vivid in his mind. He began to pick himself up, stepped outside of his comfort zone, and attempted to face the music, despite his doubts.

Kelwin launched his own YouTube channel, ChromosomeChannel during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, where he primarily shares his previous experience and study techniques as a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidate.

In less than a year, the channel has grown from nothing to 15,000 subscribers. Based on the positive comments and touching feedback from his community, he was pleased to learn that his actions had influenced others in their studies.

Furthermore, his part-time job as a customer service representative at ezbuy allows him to provide happiness and solve people’s problems.

It is all about giving and taking in life

Kelwin not only inspired himself, but he also inspired others by organising a trip to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-kanak Seremban, Negeri Sembilan with a few of his friends who each have a unique skill that contributes to the success of the charity event.

“I felt worthy to help others when we have the capabilities. Although it was not much, we were able to bring some joy and inspiration to those orphans, as a small act of kindness can go a long way.

“I always tell myself, that life is just a game, there is nothing to lose. The desire to change, but not the changes, marked the starting point of an entirely new chapter in my life. We are what we have overcome. Buckle up and start working towards our un regrettable journey,” he said.

Kelwin added that the knowledge and skills he gained throughout his studies in Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) shaped him into a well-rounded person and the Asia Young Talents award will be a great steppingstone for his life journey.

“All of the hard work, sacrifices, downfalls, and struggles paid off in the end. Certainly, I will gain more international exposure and recognition. Most importantly, gaining an Asia Young Talent Award is always one of my goals, as is having more self-confidence and stopping doubting myself, as well as continuing to challenge myself and feel the growth,” he said.

Kelwin, a Gamuda scholar, recently finished his second semester of year two and will begin his internship at Foodpanda in January until April 2023.

He was offered two more internships, one at Petronas as a web developer intern and another at Gamuda as a full stack developer intern, but he eventually chose Foodpanda as an operations performance analyst because the job scope was more relevant to his Data Analytics specialism.