He lost his job in the middle of a global pandemic.
And instead of panicking he built a future.
When COVID-19 retrenchments hit in 2019, Sashitharan Paramasivam’s 15 year corporate career as a server support engineer came to an abrupt stop. For most, that would’ve been the end of a chapter.
For Sashi, it was the beginning of a calling.
He could’ve returned to the IT world. Safe. Predictable. Comfortable. Instead, he chose impact.
The Moment He Saw the Gap No One Was Talking About
While navigating his next steps, Sashi joined the Malaysian Indian Youth Council (MIYC) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. That’s where it clicked.
Malaysia doesn’t lack opportunities for youth. It lacks preparation.
Parents were laser-focused on grades. Straight A’s. Exam results. “Marca Coco” activities.
But what about confidence? Leadership?
Communication? Real-world skills?
Students were graduating with certificates but not with voices. And that didn’t sit right with him.
Having sharpened his own public speaking and leadership skills through Toastmasters, Sashi started visiting schools. Not as a corporate engineer. But as a mentor.
He wasn’t teaching subjects. He was teaching belief.
The Rise of SK Self Enrichment Academy
SK Self Enrichment Academy wasn’t built overnight.
It began quietly between 2017 and 2018 as a part time passion project. But after his retrenchment, Sashi went all in.
Full activation. Full commitment. Full heart.
The academy’s mission is simple and powerful:
Unleash hidden talent early.
Build leaders, not just exam scorers.
Today, SK Self Enrichment Academy delivers high-impact youth development programs across Kuala Selangor, Sepang, Klang, and Shah Alam.
Here’s what makes it different:
Public Speaking – The foundation. Helping shy students find their voice and confident students own the stage.
Scrabble Classes – Strategy meets language mastery. Building critical thinking while strengthening English proficiency.
Robotics – Future-ready skills powered by Sashi’s IT background. Because coding is the new literacy.
Anugerah Remaja Perdana Rakan Muda – The academy is an officiated body running the Duke of Edinburgh International Award from the UK, endorsed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and supported by the Ministry of Education.
This isn’t tuition. It’s transformation.
Building Trust When No One Knew His Name
Starting from zero wasn’t glamorous. Parents questioned his credibility.
Schools were skeptical.
The training industry was crowded. So Sashi did something bold.
He offered two-hour free trial classes. No pressure. Just proof.
And it worked.
Parents saw the difference. Teachers saw the confidence shift. PIBG committees took notice.
Then came the financial challenge.
While market rates ranged from RM150 to RM200 per student, Sashi priced his programs below RM50 to stay accessible. Even then, some families struggled.
But for him, this was never about profit first. It was about purpose.
From One Man Show to Youth Movement
In the early days, he was everything. Trainer. Admin. Sales. Scheduler.
If two schools requested the same time slot, he had to choose.
Today, SK Self Enrichment Academy runs on a flexible, project-based team of freelance trainers operating virtually adapting around school holidays and weekends.
Lean Agile Youth focused. Built for impact.
The Wins That Matter Most
One story still gives him chills.
A wheelchair-bound student who once struggled with stage fright.
After training, that same student placed in the Top 10 of an English public speaking competition.
Confidence unlocked. Barriers broken.
In 2019 alone, 12 Indian youths under the academy were selected for the Gold Medal (Emas) category of national youth awards.
That’s not just participation. That’s excellence.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Starting January 1, 2026, Malaysia officially reduces its youth age bracket to 15 – 30 years old.
The clock is ticking.
Government-funded opportunities including youth exchange programs to over 20 countries are up for grabs.
But only for those ready. Writing skills.
Leadership ability. Confidence on stage. Strategic thinking.
These aren’t optional anymore.
They’re survival tools for the next generation. And Sashi knows it.
His five year vision is crystal clear:
Build outstanding youth leaders for the nation independent, capable, and purpose-driven. Not political products.
Leaders with substance.
When Crisis Becomes Calling
Retrenchment could have defined his story. Instead, it refined it.
Today, SK Self Enrichment Academy stands as proof that losing a job doesn’t mean losing direction.
Sometimes, it means finding it.
For Malaysian youth chasing bigger dreams… For parents looking beyond report cards…
For a nation that needs bold, capable leaders… This isn’t just an academy.
It’s a movement.
And it started with one man who refused to settle for safety. Malaysia’s future isn’t waiting.
It’s being trained.
