Vienny Balakrishnan, a 32-year old cosmetology teacher from Keningau Vocational College (KVC), has made everyone proud after being shortlisted for the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2025, an international recognition celebrating outstanding educators worldwide.
Vienny was selected for the honour among 90 educators globally and only four Malaysians in the Southeast Asian and Pacific region to make the shortlist. She is also the only candidate from Sabah, earning recognition for her innovative teaching approach that combines vocational training with environmental consciousness and social entrepreneurship.
Organised by Cambridge University Press, the competition honours exceptional teachers who goes an extra mile to in their classrooms and communities. The nine regional winners will be announced on 23rd April, with one of them crowned as the global winner.
Teaching With Purpose
From Keningau, Vienny is known for her social entrepreneurship and sustainability into her cosmetology classes. Her mission is not only to equip students with industry skills but to inspire them to become environmentally responsible social entrepreneurs.
She guides students to repurpose organic and recyclable waste into products with both aesthetic and commercial value. One group under her mentorship has created a beautician’s stool using plastic, paper, and preloved clothing, winning RM3,000 at a state level competition. Another group won RM300 in a recycling contest for creating foot scrubbers out of discarded corncobs.
These efforts have led to a growing number of students to venture into green businesses, creating eco-friendly beauty tools and accessories while raising awareness of climate issues and waste reduction.
The Keningau Vocational College director Lumang Anak Lang congratulated Vienny for her achievement, stating that her innovative teaching supports the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s goal to develop graduates who are job creators then job seekers. Her approach enhances student engagement and prepares them to contribute in something meaningful to the society through craft.
The full shortlisted educators are available in the official Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award Website. As the countdown begins for the official announcement of the regional and global winners, Malaysia especially Sabah watches with pride as Vienny represents the country on global stage.
Sources: Borneo Post
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