Dr Shantini Karalasingam
Founder & Managing Director
Academic Qualifications
- PhD, University of Nottingham
- M.Education Guidance & Counselling (Universiti Malaya)
- Diploma in Education (Universiti Malaya)
- B. Arts Honours (Universiti Malaya)
About
Founder of Apex Thoughts — Malaysia's premier debate academy for kids and teens aged 5–18+
Over 4 decades of experience in youth development
Over 4 decades of experience in teaching English to students of diverse backgrounds
Mr Muhammad Abdul Latif
Debate Coach
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), IIUM
- Master of Comparative Laws (M.C.L), IIUM
Debate Experience & Achievements
World Universities Debating Championship - Grand Finals' Adjudicator, Tabulation Director for several years
World Universities Debating Championship, Melbourne (1994) - Runners up (ESL Category)
All Asian Intervarsity Debating Championship, Manila (1996) - Champion
Prime Minister's Cup Debate (2024) - Grand Final Adjudicator
Malaysian Timber Council Debate (2024) - Co-Chief Adjudicator
Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championship, Sydney (2004) - Deputy Chief Adjudicator
Majlis Debat Universiti Malaysia - Anugerah Hakim Tertinggi
Dr Riasat Amin Imon
Debate Coach
Academic Qualifications
- PhD in Economics
- Master of Economics
- Bachelor of Economics
Debate Experience & Achievements
IIUM Debate Team Selector (2010 – present)
IIUM Advanced Debate Coach/Trainer (2010 – 2020)
Malaysia World School Debate Education Society (MWSDES) – Private Trainer (2023-2024)
Nous Academy Debate Trainer (2014 – 2020)
World University Debate Championships – Vancouver, Canada (2007)
Frequent adjudicator at IIUM School Debate Championships tournaments
Anas Bin Ahmad Zaharim
Debate Coach
Academic Qualifications
- Completing Bachelor of Law (LLB) at IIUM
Debate Experience & Achievements
Panama Worlds University Debating Championship (2025) - Partial double Octofinalist, best in Malaysia, best in ASEAN, second best in Asia and 41st in the world
Guangzhou UADC (2025) Core Adjudicator - 1 of 6 Core judges nominated and voted on by the whole of Asia
Jakarta Australs (2024) - Octofinalist and second best ESL speaker
Krabi ABP (2024) - Quarterfinalist
Debate Trainer at IIUM (2024 - present)
Melaka State Debate Trainer at High School Level (2021-2023)
Thivagar A/L S Thullasi Nathan
Debate Coach
Academic Qualifications
- Completing Bachelor of Law (LLB) at University of Malaya
Debate Experience & Achievements
Chief Adjudicator Panel for 10+ tournaments regionally and internationally
Malaysian Nationals 2026 - Chief Adjudicator
Calcutta Debate Open 2024 - Open Champion
Guangzhou United Asian Debating Championship (UADC) 2025 - 6th Best Judge
Malaysia United Asian Debating Championship (UADC) 2024 - Open Octofinalist
Malaysian Nationals 2024 - Open Finalist
Kuantan Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) 2025 - 16th ranked team