Podium Academy
Develop a deeper understanding of the world around you! Our speech courses cover everything from international trade and global economic systems, to everyday social issues and historical conflicts.
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Who Are We?
Five years ago, Podium Academy started with a single course in Competitive Debate, aiming to inspire a love for speaking and critical thinking. Today, we offer a comprehensive syllabus covering academic writing, Model United Nations, and more. With a dedicated coaching team, we now serve over 250 students globally, focusing on immersive, engaging programs that emphasize speech, writing, and deep critical thinking.
We offer a wide array of courses aimed at improving your English
Our company’s mission is to exceed expectations
We envisioned a future where young minds in Malaysia could engage in public discussions with compassion and courage.
Today, we’re proud to see that dream becoming a reality, with Podium now home to some of the country’s most accomplished young debaters and public speakers.
Our Guarantee
Becoming a respected orator takes dedication, but we guarantee students will benefit from exceptional coaching. By the end of each camp or class, scholars will be prepared to formulate strong arguments and speak confidently before large audiences.
Our team is comprised of genuinely gifted minds
We’ve scoured the globe (literally) for the brightest minds! Today, our team comprises dedicated, passionate trainers from the U.K., Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. With years of experience within their respective education industries, our team forms the basis of what we do, and where we are headed!
Nigel Amritch
• 2015 Inaugural Teo Soo Pin Debating Championship Champion, Overall Best Speaker
• 2015 MCMC Debating Championship Open Grand Finalist
• 2014 International Borneo Debating Championship Open Semi-finalist
• 2014 Russell McVeagh International Australian-Asian Debating Championship KDU Representative
Nigel has coached a member of Malaysia's WSDC (World Schools) team and has served as Chief Adjudicator at two national level varsity tournaments! He has also served as a public relations executive at the Global Entrepreneurship Movement
Very few can say they are champions of the largest English debate competition in Malaysia. Having bested every public school in the country representing SMK Kota Kemuning, Adam has made a name for himself in the national circuit.
• 2023 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Grand Finalist & 7th Best Speaker
• 2022 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Open Semi-finalist & 5th Best Speaker
• 2022 Malaysian National Intervarsity Debating Championship Grand Finalist
• 2021 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Novice Champion, 5th Best Overall Novice Speaker
Ming Ee has been an avid MUN-er since 2015. She has directed a secretariat of 20 to lead one of the most successful Model United Nations Conferences in 2017, with a participant turnout of over 450. She currently serves as Vice President for the MUN Club at New York University Abu Dhabi, majoring in Economics and Math.
• 2019 MUN Club, NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE Vice President
• 2018 America University of Sarjah MUN Best Speaker
• 2017 Fairview International School MUN Secretary General
• 2016 Nexus International School MUN Disarmament and International Security Committee Best Speaker
• 2022 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Champion, 1st Breaking Team, 6th Best Speaker
• 2021 Malaysia BP Grand Finalist, 5th Best Open Speaker
• 2021 Asian British Parliamentary Partial Double Octofinalist
• 2019 - Present Penang State Team Coach
• 2021 Malaysia BP Grand Finalist, 5th Best Open Speaker
• 2021 Asian British Parliamentary Partial Double Octofinalist
• 2019 - Present Penang State Team Coach
Ahsan has an impressive track record in the competitive debate scene. He's even worked under the MP of Bayan Baru as a Lead Research Assistant! He's currently studying Computer Science at the University of Malaya. If you need him, you could find him on the court, playing football or basketball.
Sharwin Mohan
• 2020 Asian British Parliamentary Open Quarter-finalist
• 2020 Australasian Debating Championship ESL Runner-up
• 2020 World Universities Debating Championship ESL Semi-finalist, 4th Best ESL Team
• 2019 Cambridge IV Debating Championship ESL Grand Finalist
One of Malaysia's finest varsity debaters, he has trained 2 recipients of KDU's Kids British Parliamentary Bursary as well as 2 members of Malaysia's prestigious WSDC (World Schools) junior team! He is currently pursuing his Master's in Finance at the National University of Singapore.
Safra Vazeer
• 2020 Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certified The TEFL Org
• 2017 -'20 B.A. in Criminology and Applied Linguistics - Second Class Honours Upper Division University of Melbourne
• 2017 -'20 Private English tutor University of Melbourne
• 2021 - '22 Master's in Speech Pathology National University of Singapore
Safra is immensely dedicated to the Linguistic development of her students and seeks to improve the public awareness on speech disorders. She was also an English drama champion and writes creatively, a hobby she started at 14 and carries until today.
• 2021 Champions Cup Conference Secretary General
• 2020, 2021 University of Nottingham Malaysia President of UN Youth
• 2019 Manchester MUN (UK) Indonesia - Best Delegate
• 2018 - Present Chaired for Malaysia (predominantly), UK and Indonesia MUN conferences
• 2020, 2021 University of Nottingham Malaysia President of UN Youth
• 2019 Manchester MUN (UK) Indonesia - Best Delegate
• 2018 - Present Chaired for Malaysia (predominantly), UK and Indonesia MUN conferences
As a Masters student in International Law and Development at the University of Nottingham, MUN continues to be one of the most consistent and long-standing pursuits of Yun Ni (Winnie). She believes that the path of each MUNner is unique and personal. As long as you are trying to seek change for the better - that’s a good enough reason to be in MUN.
Ahmad Irfan
• 2021 World Universities Debating Championship ESL Semi-finalist, 5th Best ESL Team
• 2021 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Open Semi-finalist, 3rd Best Speaker, Overall Best Reply Speaker
• 2020 Malaysian National Intervarsity Debating Championship Open Grand Finalist, 4th Best Speaker, Finals Best Speaker
• 2020 Oxford IV Debating Championship ESL Grand Finalist
After winning it himself at the age of 16, he coached 3 other recipients of Sunway's Oxford & Cambridge Public Speaking Bursary! He has also represented Malaysia at the 2018 International Public Speaking Competition, London.
Kyle Boonwaat
• 2017 T.S. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad Debate Cup States 2nd Runner Up, Best Speaker
• 2018 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Quarterfinalist, 6th Best Speaker
• 2018 Sunway's Oxford & Cambridge Public Speaking Competition 2nd Runner Up
• 2018 Malaysian Universities Economic Conference (MUEC) Guest Debater
With his charm, Kyle reached the quarterfinals of a national level varsity tournament as a first year pre-university student! He currently reads Economics at The University of Queensland, Australia.
Rinakshie Rams
• 2018 Taylor's University Interschool Debating Championship Champion, 8th Best Speaker
• 2018 Malaysian National Schools Debating Championship Runner Up
• 2019 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Runner Up
• 2019 Sunway Interschool Debating Championship Grand Finals Adjudicator
Not many people can say they got into the grand finals of both the schools' and universities' national championships! Rina currently reads Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at The University of Warwick.
• 2024 Cambridge Asian British Parliamentary Chief Adjudication Panel
• 2024 Worlds Open Octofinalist
• 2023 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships Champion, ESL
• 2023 United Asian Debating Championships Double Octofinalist (11th Breaking Team)
• 2024 Worlds Open Octofinalist
• 2023 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships Champion, ESL
• 2023 United Asian Debating Championships Double Octofinalist (11th Breaking Team)
With her passion for Debate and Public Speaking, Sarah is a familiar face in the UiTM Debate and Model United Nations scenes. Complementing her oratory skills, she is also great at guiding younger kids through new and interesting debate topics since in her free time, she tutors all her little nieces and nephews!
Nigel Amritch
• 2015 Inaugural Teo Soo Pin Debating Championship Champion, Overall Best Speaker
• 2015 MCMC Debating Championship Open Grand Finalist
• 2014 International Borneo Debating Championship Open Semi-finalist
• 2014 Russell McVeagh International Australian-Asian Debating Championship KDU Representative
Nigel has coached a member of Malaysia's WSDC (World Schools) team and has served as Chief Adjudicator at two national level varsity tournaments! He has also served as a public relations executive at the Global Entrepreneurship Movement
Sharwin Mohan
• 2020 Asian British Parliamentary Open Quarter-finalist
• 2020 Australasian Debating Championship ESL Runner-up
• 2020 World Universities Debating Championship ESL Semi-finalist, 4th Best ESL Team
• 2019 Cambridge IV Debating Championship ESL Grand Finalist
One of Malaysia's finest varsity debaters, he has trained 2 recipients of KDU's Kids British Parliamentary Bursary as well as 2 members of Malaysia's prestigious WSDC (World Schools) junior team! He is currently pursuing his Master's in Finance at the National University of Singapore.
Ahmad Irfan
• 2021 World Universities Debating Championship ESL Semi-finalist, 5th Best ESL Team
• 2021 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Open Semi-finalist, 3rd Best Speaker, Overall Best Reply Speaker
• 2020 Malaysian National Intervarsity Debating Championship Open Grand Finalist, 4th Best Speaker, Finals Best Speaker
• 2020 Oxford IV Debating Championship ESL Grand Finalist
After winning it himself at the age of 16, he coached coached 3 other recipients of Sunway's Oxford & Cambridge Public Speaking Bursary! He has also represented Malaysia at the 2018 International Public Speaking Competition, London
Very few can say they are champions of the largest English debate competition in Malaysia. Having bested every public school in the country representing SMK Kota Kemuning, Adam has made a name for himself in the national circuit.
• 2023 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Grand Finalist & 7th Best Speaker
• 2022 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Open Semi-finalist & 5th Best Speaker
• 2022 Malaysian National Intervarsity Debating Championship Grand Finalist
• 2021 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Novice Champion, 5th Best Overall Novice Speaker
Ming Ee has been an avid MUN-er since 2015. She has directed a secretariat of 20 to lead one of the most successful Model United Nations Conferences in 2017, with a participant turnout of over 450. She currently serves as Vice President for the MUN Club at New York University Abu Dhabi, majoring in Economics and Math.
• 2019 MUN Club, NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE Vice President
• 2018 America University of Sarjah MUN Best Speaker
• 2017 Fairview International School MUN Secretary General
• 2016 Nexus International School MUN Disarmament and International Security Committee Best Speaker
Safra Vazeer
• 2020 Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certified The TEFL Org
• 2017 -'20 B.A. in Criminology and Applied Linguistics - Second Class Honours Upper Division University of Melbourne
• 2017 -'20 Private English tutor University of Melbourne
• 2021 - '22 Master's in Speech Pathology National University of Singapore
Safra is immensely dedicated to the Linguistic development of her students and seeks to improve the public awareness on speech disorders. She was also an English drama champion and writes creatively, a hobby she started at 14 and carries until today.
• 2022 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Champion, 1st Breaking Team, 6th Best Speaker
• 2021 Malaysia BP Grand Finalist, 5th Best Open Speaker
• 2021 Asian British Parliamentary Partial Double Octofinalist
• 2019 - Present Penang State Team Coach
• 2021 Malaysia BP Grand Finalist, 5th Best Open Speaker
• 2021 Asian British Parliamentary Partial Double Octofinalist
• 2019 - Present Penang State Team Coach
Ahsan has an impressive track record in the competitive debate scene. He's even worked under the MP of Bayan Baru as a Lead Research Assistant! He's currently studying Computer Science at the University of Malaya. If you need him, you could find him on the court, playing football or basketball.
Kyle Boonwaat
• 2017 T.S. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad Debate Cup States 2nd Runner Up, Best Speaker
• 2018 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Quarterfinalist, 6th Best Speaker
• 2018 Sunway's Oxford & Cambridge Public Speaking Competition 2nd Runner Up
• 2018 Malaysian Universities Economic Conference (MUEC) Guest Debater
With his charm, Kyle reached the quarterfinals of a national level varsity tournament as a first year pre-university student! He currently reads Economics at The University of Queensland, Australia.
• 2024 Cambridge Asian British Parliamentary Chief Adjudication Panel
• 2024 Worlds Open Octofinalist
• 2023 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships Champion, ESL
• 2023 United Asian Debating Championships Double Octofinalist (11th Breaking Team)
• 2024 Worlds Open Octofinalist
• 2023 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships Champion, ESL
• 2023 United Asian Debating Championships Double Octofinalist (11th Breaking Team)
With her passion for Debate and Public Speaking, Sarah is a familiar face in the UiTM Debate and Model United Nations scenes. Complementing her oratory skills, she is also great at guiding younger kids through new and interesting debate topics since in her free time, she tutors all her little nieces and nephews!
Rinakshie Rams
• 2018 Taylor's University Interschool Debating Championship Champion, 8th Best Speaker
• 2018 Malaysian National Schools Debating Championship Runner Up
• 2019 Malaysian National Universities Debating Championship Runner Up
• 2019 Sunway Interschool Debating Championship Grand Finals Adjudicator
Not many people can say they got into the grand finals of both the schools' and universities' national championships! Rina currently reads Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at The University of Warwick.
• 2021 Champions Cup Conference Secretary General
• 2020, 2021 University of Nottingham Malaysia President of UN Youth
• 2019 Manchester MUN (UK) Indonesia - Best Delegate
• 2018 - Present Chaired for Malaysia (predominantly), UK and Indonesia MUN conferences
• 2020, 2021 University of Nottingham Malaysia President of UN Youth
• 2019 Manchester MUN (UK) Indonesia - Best Delegate
• 2018 - Present Chaired for Malaysia (predominantly), UK and Indonesia MUN conferences
As a Masters student in International Law and Development at the University of Nottingham, MUN continues to be one of the most consistent and long-standing pursuits of Yun Ni (Winnie). She believes that the path of each MUNner is unique and personal. As long as you are trying to seek change for the better - that’s a good enough reason to be in MUN.
Why Online Learning?
Reason One
For the best trainers!
By operating online, we’ve revolutionized learning by connecting students with skilled debate and speech coaches from Europe, Asia, and Australia. This platform also allows our students to compete and collaborate with peers worldwide.
Reason Two
Maximum Engagement
We understand the challenges parents and teachers face with online learning distractions. To promote engagement, we immerse students in stimulating critical thinking exercises. Our experienced trainers also supervise speech activities and debates, offering constructive feedback after every session to enhance the learning experience.
Reason Three
Competitive Pricing
We pass our cost savings directly to students, teachers, and parents. Our courses deliver the same high quality and specificity as larger speech academies in Malaysia, but at a much lower price thanks to our online model.
Here’s a Showcase from a Variety of our Classes
Collaborate with us!
If you are a teacher, parent, or school principal who wants to bring the benefits of persuasive speaking and critical thinking to your students/children, we want to work with you!
Podium Academy partners with academic and non-academic institutions to create tailor-made programs that fit your goals, time zone, and group size.