CREATING social impact has been the key driver of Wong Xiao Cheng (pic)’s life ever since she was introduced to the concept of social business – enterprises that serve the common good while remaining financially sustainable.
That aha moment at a youth summit when she was an undergraduate was, in her words, “the missing piece” she was looking for as she reflected on what she wanted to do with her life.
Looking back, the 34-year-old credited a scholarship award from the Star Education Fund (SEF) for giving her the freedom to explore, question and ultimately commit to a calling rooted in social good.
“Without the SEF scholarship, this path would not have been possible,” she said.
Raised in a modest household, Wong was shaped by resilience and determination from an early age. Her father worked as a carpenter and construction worker, while her mother supplemented the family income with part-time tailoring from home.
Growing up, she carried her mother’s constant reminder: education would open doors.
Despite scoring nine As in her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations, she found herself faced with financial constraints in pursuing tertiary studies.
The SEF scholarship changed that, enabling her to pursue Australian Matriculation at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur and later a BA (Honours) in Business, Economics and Finance at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Recalling the moment she received the news, Wong said she was working part-time as a cashier at a petrol station at the time. As she stepped aside to answer the call – her voice trembling, hands shaking – she realised that her future had just shifted.
The scholarship did more than ease financial burdens; it opened up a new world. Immersed in an English-speaking academic environment, Wong – who received her early education in a Chinese primary school and secondary education at a national school – gained confidence in both English and Mandarin, enabling her to fully engage in student exchanges in the United Kingdom and China.
As a business student, she found herself questioning a core principle – that the purpose of business is to maximise profit. It did not sit right with her.
After attending that youth summit and encountering the ideas of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who pioneered the concept of microcredit, she began intentionally shaping her path by pursuing internships in the social enterprise space.
As a fresh graduate, she made an unconventional choice, turning down a management trainee role in a multinational corporation to join a startup, and later becoming a founding partner of Earth Heir, one of Malaysia’s pioneering social enterprises.
Her work took her across rural Malaysia and into communities of artisans and refugees, grounding her understanding of impact in lived realities.
Over time, her journey evolved into leadership roles within the social sector, including leading the Acumen Fellowship programme in Malaysia and South-East Asia.
Today, Wong serves as chief operating officer at YTL Foundation, where she focuses on empowering marginalised students and social sector leaders.
As someone who also interviews scholarship applicants now, Wong shared that she looks for genuineness in character and application.
“Tell us your authentic story, one that’s uniquely yours.
“If you have something that you are still trying to figure out, be honest and share what you have done to try. Of course, your academic results and extracurricular activities help us learn about your discipline, character and interests,” she said.
This feature is part of a series highlighting beneficiaries of the Star Education Fund (SEF), in celebration of Star Media Group’s 55th anniversary. Since its inception in 1994, the SEF has benefited 4,601 scholarship recipients, with a total value of RM176mil. For enquiries, email edufund@thestar.com.my or call 03-7967 1388 ext 1466.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 What is one social change you would like to create through your future career? Share your idea with a partner.
2 What defining characteristic of yours would you highlight in a scholarship application or interview? Role-play the interview with a partner.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
