Cikgu Yasmin Teaches for Malaysia

We’re very proud of our very own Puan Yasmin Mahmood, YTL Group and FrogAsia representative who not too long participated in Teach for Malaysia Week. ‘Cikgu Yasmin’, as the kids called her, taught at SMK Tengku Idris Shah in Klang and challenged and inspired the class by sharing her story about going from number 37 in class to 26, then 17, and finally 5, year by year.

She also encouraged the children to save wisely,  saying, ”Setiap kali saya dapat 10 sen, saya simpan 5 sen, lepas tu saya bagi ke mak saya untuk beli ikan bilis."

That work ethic and thriftiness may have brought Cikgu Yasmin to where she is today, but what continues to drive her is a passion for lifelong learning sparked by her parents, who were both teachers. “My parents were both teachers from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, and later on became head teachers,” says Cikgu Yasmin. “I remember my mother going to school every morning with a comb, a toothbrush, and biscuits… so that during her morning walkabout, she would tidy up a child’s hair, get one to brush his teeth, and feed those who couldn’t afford breakfast.”

“I grew up knowing that teaching is a passion, and a noble one at it. By participating in Teach for Malaysia week, I hope to channel some of that passion, and help a child realise what good education can do for them.”

About Puan Yasmin Mahmood: Yasmin is the Executive Director of YTL Communications and was previously the Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, a role she held for more than 3 years.  Prior to that, she had vast management experience in the technology industry, after starting her career as an analyst programmer, having graduated with a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics.

She has the distinction of being the only woman to date to have received a Key Industry Leader Award in 2007 and the Personality of the Year Award in 2009, both from the Association of Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (PIKOM). These Awards were in recognition of her on‐going contribution to the growth of the Malaysian Information, Communications and Technology industry over the past two decades.