News, Media & Press Releases

Advancing Special Needs Education • Spotlighting Community Action • Driving National Impact

Welcome to the official newsroom and media repository for the Kiwanis Khir Johari Foundation (KKJF) and the Kiwanis Malaysia Academy (KMA), documenting developmental milestones, academic partnerships, and grassroots initiatives.

October 2026 • Kiwanis Malaysia District & SOE Sunway University

Kiwanis Khir Johari Foundation & Sunway University Forge Landmark Partnership for Neurodivergent Adulthood

In a major step forward for special education transition in Malaysia, the Kiwanis Khir Johari Foundation (KKJF) and the School of Education (SOE) at Sunway University announced a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and co-organisation of the 6th Annual KMA Special Education Needs (SEN) Symposium 2026.

Presided over by KKJF Chairman YBhg Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy alongside Sunway Education Group CEO YBhg Prof Dato’ Dr Elizabeth Lee and Sunway University President & Vice Chancellor Professor Sibrandes Poppema, this initiative bridges academic rigor with frontline grassroots delivery. The partnership directly addresses the critical "after school" transition void, focusing on vocational qualification pipelines, supported employment models, and guardian legal-financial security (Wills, Special Needs Trusts, and Insurance).

Read Full Symposium Agenda

KKJF and Sunway University MoU Signing Ceremony

Recent Announcements & Dispatches

Key milestones across our academy, awards, and early intervention centres.

KMA ASEAN SEN Symposium & MySENSE Launch

November 2025 • Kiwanis Malaysia Academy

KMA Unveils “MySENSE” Support Exchange & Convenes ASEAN SEN Symposium

KMA convened leaders under the theme "Together We Thrive", featuring a keynote by YAM Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz and high-level engagement with Senator YB Tuan Isaiah D Jacob.

The event marked the soft launch of MySENSE (My Special Education Needs Support Exchange), a national centralized digital repository connecting educators, caregivers, and non-profits with vetted curriculum toolkits and therapy methodologies.

Tan Sri Khir Johari Award Presentation Ceremony

District Milestone • Kiwanis Malaysia District

Tan Sri Khir Johari Award & Service Grant Program Reaches New Milestones

Commemorating its legacy since launching on April 24, 2021, the TSKJ Award continues its philanthropic momentum. Conferred in Silver (RM1,000), Gold (RM3,000), and Diamond (exceeding RM3,000) tiers by Patron Puan Sri Dato' Hajah Khir Johari, contributions feed KKJF endowment reserves.

Simultaneously, the RM1,000 TSKJ Club Service Grants have helped dozens of grassroots clubs fund local diagnostic screenings and sensory equipment.

Anugerah Ibu Kiwanis Royal Patronage Ceremony

Caregiver Tribute • Project Haans • Media Bureau

Anugerah Ibu Kiwanis: Celebrating Resilient Mothers of Neurodivergent Children

Held under the banner of "Sentuhan Ibu, Sejuta Makna", the awards honor mothers raising children with severe developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.

Under the Royal Patronage of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor and Her Royal Highness the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, the initiative bestows direct cash honorariums of RM5,000 and family support grants to recipients nationwide.

Therapy Subsidies for B40 Families at KDSF

Frontline Impact • KDSF National Centre

KDSF Early Intervention Network Deepens Therapy Subsidies for B40 Families

Through recurring grant disbursements managed by KKJF, the four frontline KDSF centres (Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru, Klang, and Melaka) have expanded subsidized therapy services for low- and middle-income families.

This program guarantees that children under six receive infant sensory-motor stimulation, speech-language therapy, and Robert Dellar Curriculum pre-academic preparation for government PPKI transitions.

Archive: KMA SEN Symposia Series

Chronicle of national think-tanks and milestone symposium themes since 2019.

Edition & Year	Theme, Venue & Keynote Details
6th SEN Symposium 2026	Pathways to Neurodivergent Independence: Vocational Readiness, Guardian Competency & Social Dignity Venue: Sunway University (Joint with SOE) Keynote / Patrons: Prof. Sibrandes Poppema & Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy
5th SEN Symposium 2025	Together We Thrive: Strengthening the SEN Community Through Inclusive Partnerships (ASEAN Edition) Venue: Hybrid / Kuala Lumpur Keynote / Patrons: YAM Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz
4th SEN Symposium 2024	Elevating Frontline Special Educator Capacities & Assistive Digital Technologies Venue: Royale Chulan Damansara Keynote / Patrons: Dato’ Fatimah Saad & Regional SEN Specialists
3rd SEN Symposium 2023	Evidence-Based Behavioral Intervention & Classroom Inclusivity Venue: Virtual / Interactive Cohorts Keynote / Patrons: National Child Psychologists & Ministry Representatives
2nd SEN Symposium 2022	Innovation in Assistive Tech & Inclusion Benchmarks Venue: Virtual / Broadcast Keynote / Patrons: YB Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi
1st Inaugural SEN 2021	The Heart-Based Approach to Nurturing Special Education Leaders Venue: Virtual Inauguration Keynote / Patrons: KMA Founding Board & SEN Practitioner Network

Media & Press Enquiries

Members of the press, academic researchers, and institutional partners seeking interviews, official statements, or high-resolution media assets regarding KKJF endowment programs or KMA educational initiatives are welcome to contact our secretariat:

Foundation Secretariat

kkjf@kiwanis.org.my

Telephone

+6017 6933 002

Office Address

34, Jalan BU 11/8, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia