CYBERJAYA, Aug 24 - Ebright Public Speaking Academy (Ebright), Malaysia's largest English-focused kids public speaking academy, is targeting expansion to 30 outlets this year as it marks its 10th anniversary.
Founded in 2016, the academy is pursuing the expansion in response to what it sees as growing demand among Malaysian parents for stronger English communication and public speaking skills.
To date, Ebright has created more than 2,000 job opportunities across its network, including positions for educators, administrative staff and other operational roles.
Ebright’s founder and chief executive officer Kevin Khoo said the positive outlook was also reflected in Malaysia’s performance in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, which ranked the country first in Asia and 24th globally for English proficiency, with a score of 581.
Kevin Khoo, Founder and CEO of Ebright Public Speaking Academy was speaking at the academy’s 10th Anniversary Gala Night held at Cyberjaya.
“I see Malaysia's multilingual environment as a major advantage. Our ability to communicate in different languages allows Malaysians to connect with people from different cultures, markets and backgrounds. This is a valuable skill, especially as businesses become increasingly global,” he said. Khoo was speaking during Ebright Public Speaking Academy’s 10th Anniversary Gala Night held at Tamarind Square here.
Ebright Public Speaking Academy celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with more than 200 guests attending the celebration. From left: Kevin Khoo, Founder and CEO of Ebright Public Speaking Academy; and Dato’ George Tomas, CEO of the Malaysia Association for the Blind (MAB).
Amid the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), Kevin said uniquely human capabilities such as authentic public speaking, articulate communication and thought leadership would become increasingly important in setting the younger generation apart.
He said the academy’s experience in nurturing more than 30,000 students to date reinforced the importance of developing these skills alongside technological advancement.
“While AI continues to evolve, the ability to communicate authentically, articulate ideas clearly and demonstrate thought leadership will remain uniquely human qualities that can differentiate the younger generation from their peers,” he said.
Despite the uncertainties brought by rapid technological change, Kevin said Ebright remained committed to continuously evolving its curriculum and education programmes to empower children with greater confidence while embracing AI, innovation and technology.
As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, Ebright also announced a RM10,000 contribution to the Malaysia Association for the Blind (MAB).
“This RM10,000 contribution will be directly channelled into meaningful collaborative events with MAB. Furthermore, a portion of the funds will be dedicated to creating income-generating opportunities by engaging MAB professionals for our events, supporting their dignified livelihood and celebrating their valuable skills,” he said.
Ebright began its social responsibility collaboration with the Malaysia Association for the Blind (MAB) in 2023, providing MAB students with platforms to develop their public speaking skills and express themselves with greater confidence.
Since then, the academy has supported MAB students through monthly public speaking showcases, complemented by specially curated curriculum and teaching programmes designed to give them opportunities to speak, share their experiences and connect with the wider community.
“We believe every voice deserves to be heard. Our academy has always aspired to provide professional public speaking training to everyone, so they can build their self-confidence, share their stories publicly and help bridge the gap between themselves and society,” Khoo said.
