Raised by parents with hearing and cognitive impairments, Kianna Chan Xiao Wei grew up navigating significant communication barriers, financial hardship, and limited access to traditional support systems.
Yet, her sheer determination and family’s unwavering support secured her a place at the University of Oxford to read English Language and Literature.
“Going to a university in England was the dream for many members of my family, but nobody thought that Oxford would even be possible.
“Somehow, I managed to make it happen and I’m most excited to study under some of the greatest minds in literature,” the 18-year-old told StarEdu.
Chan’s decision to pursue English Language and Literature was motivated by a desire to represent Malaysia in the global literary space.
“Malaysians are underrepresented in the literary field – in any language, really.
“I’m just focused on English as it is my strength, but we have a lot to contribute in the form of unique and fresh perspectives, and in turn, I believe the arts and humanities can largely improve our lives,” she shared.
While some see the field as unpopular in today’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven age, she remains optimistic about its relevance.
“Language is a large part of our everyday lives, and we need more people who are really good at it.
“AI will never be able to replicate a human’s command of language, nor our ingenuity,” the YTL Foundation scholar said.
Fuelled by family
Chan’s acceptance to Oxford would not have been possible without the steadfast belief and sacrifice of her family.
“Because my parents are handicapped, my aunt made it her responsibility to make sure I succeeded,” she shared, adding that her grandfather’s belief in sending all his children and grandchildren to university deeply influenced her aunt’s efforts.
She said her aunt’s support not only gave her access to education but also instilled in her the confidence to aim for opportunities beyond Malaysia.
Advocating for accessibility
Having acted as a “messenger” for her parents since childhood, Chan has grown into a passionate advocate for greater access to quality education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs) and underserved communities.
She believes that destigmatising disability is the first step towards change.
“If we, in our everyday lives, start by respecting both physically and mentally disabled people as human beings, we will automatically be incentivised to be fairer to them in the corporate and academic realms,” she said.
Reflecting on her own childhood experiences, she shared that she often had to mediate conversations between her parents and strangers who were quick to lose patience.
“As my parents are not completely deaf, they communicate with a mixture of sign language and basic English and Malay.
“People have to speak loudly, clearly, and ensure their lips are entirely visible.
“There were many instances where strangers would grow impatient and frustrated because my parents had a hard time understanding them. It was quite difficult for me to navigate and mediate such situations at the time,” she shared.
These experiences strengthened her resolve to speak up for the disabled community and push for a more inclusive society.
“Non-disabled people need to stop thinking PWDs are burdens to society. They are just like the rest of us – people who want to do their best for themselves and their loved ones,” she stressed.
Learn beyond the classroom
Chan hopes her story encourages more Malaysians – especially those from underserved or non-traditional backgrounds – to stay curious and self-motivated.
“You do not necessarily need a formal education to be knowledgeable – you just need to be passionate about learning,” she said.
She urged students to take advantage of the vast resources available online.
“Even if you don’t plan on going to university, I implore everyone to spend more of your free time reading, researching and learning.
“Use platforms like Journal Storage (JSTOR), go to your public library, and watch online documentaries on topics that interest you,” she shared.
Chan will begin her studies at Oxford next month, funded by the prestigious Yeoh Tiong Lay Award – a full scholarship awarded annually by YTL Foundation to one deserving student. She is set to graduate with the Class of 2028.
Established in 1997, YTL Foundation aims to ensure that Malaysians have access to quality education and leadership opportunities.
Humble smiles: Chan (centre) posing with YTL Foundation programme director Datuk Kathleen Chew (left) and YTL Foundation trustee Datuk Yeoh Soo Min (right).
