April 10, 2025
KOTA KINABALU – For Vienny Balakrishnan, teaching is more than just a profession. It is a mission to uplift lives through compassion, creativity and a commitment to change.
Born and raised in Keningau, about 110km from the Sabah capital, the cosmetology teacher, who celebrated her seventh year at Keningau Vocational College (KVC) this year, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards.
She is the sole Sabahan among 90 educators recognised globally across nine regions, with three other Malaysians also in the running for the coveted title.
But to those who know her, Vienny is already a winner, with her “classroom” extending far beyond the four walls.
Coming from a middle-class background, she believes her drive to combat poverty and promote equality stems not only from personal experience but also from the struggles of her students, many of whom come from low-income households.
“I want to end poverty. I want everyone to have equal access to food, clothing and a place to call home,” said Vienny, who turns 33 in November.
She often opens her home to students in need, offering meals, comfort and guidance, especially to those juggling school and part-time jobs to support their families.
This deep-rooted compassion fuels her teaching journey, one she has shaped with innovation.
Vienny pioneered the use of discarded materials to create beauty tools and products, turning waste into opportunity.
Under her mentorship, students have gone on to win awards for their upcycled creations, including a RM3,000 state-level prize for a beautician’s stool made from plastic, paper and pre-loved clothes, and RM300 for foot scrubbers made from discarded corncobs.
She said these projects not only cleaned up the environment, but also empowered students to build sustainable social enterprises.
“The beauty industry continues to thrive, but so does its waste.
“Turning that waste into something valuable is not just creative, it is necessary,” she said.
More importantly, her students are learning how to build sustainable social enterprises, merging entrepreneurship with environmental awareness.
Inspired by Vienny’s passion, one of her students, 20-year-old Jesslinda Had Kennedy nominated Vienny for the international award.
“She made me believe I could help solve a global problem by starting with one small action at home,” Jesslinda said, adding that the small act can grow into something much bigger.
KVC director Lumang Lang praised Vienny’s work, noting how her values align with the Education Ministry’s vocational goals to produce not just skilled workers, but changemakers.
“Every teacher has their strengths. I believe mine lies in innovating new products from waste, especially for the beauty industry,” said Vienny.
Despite the global attention, she remains grounded, spending her free time hiking, exploring local eateries and enjoying the company of her beloved pet dog, a Shih Tzu poodle-mix.
When asked about her journey, Vienny remains humble, sharing that she lives by the motto “one day at a time”.
“That is how I live. But I know that every bit of effort matters,” she said.
As the world awaits the announcement of regional winners on April 23, the people of Keningau already know they have a heroine in their midst, a teacher whose compassion, creativity and conviction are changing lives far beyond the classroom.
Teaching, said Vienny, is not just about lessons, but also about love, sacrifice and the belief that every child deserves a fighting chance.