Vetri Association

Vetri Association or Pertubuhan Vetri is a non-profitable educational association that focuses on developing students from Tamil vernacular schools in Malaysia. This association was initiated on the 11th of December 2019 with its head office in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, by Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin (also known as Dr. Rahim Munna) to assist and improve the standards of students from these schools. The date of initiation is unique. It is also the birthday of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar, a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer, and polyglot known to be a prominent figure in Tamil's history and its development.

Through this association, the founder aims to prepare and empower students based on three key result areas: STEM Education (Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mathematics) education, 3L (Language, Linguistics and Leadership), and Psychological Wellness. The idea of establishing this association was first brought up during the launch of Tamizhal Naan (ISBN 978-967-2077-19-0), a book written by Dr. Rahim Munna regarding his background, growth, education, goals, and dreams. The book describes how he grew up with nothing but only his dire desire to excel in education and succeed in making his parents proud. After receiving positive feedback and sufficient funds from his publication, he decided to establish an association to further aid students from Tamil schools to realize and work towards achieving their goals. In his interview with the Metro (local daily newspaper in Malaysia) in 2018, he mentioned his visits to 150 Tamil vernacular schools and his desire to deliver his inspirational speech to all Tamil schools of Malaysia by the age of 35.

 'Vetri' is a term in Tamil that carries the meaning of success or an outstanding achievement. This term was clarified suitable by the goal, vision, and missions of establishing this association, which strives to be a catalyst to student's success in three key result areas composed of STEM Education, 3L, and Psychological Wellness. The focus area mainly concentrates on primary school students, especially in Tamil vernacular schools of Malaysia. Vetri Association aims to enhance, develop, and improve student's communication skills (mainly in Malay, English, and Tamil) and their leadership qualities. Also, to produce a generation of intellectually fulfilled, presentable, outgoing, and confident in achieving their goals. Students are also encouraged to expand their science and technology interests to equip themselves with sufficient knowledge regarding the ever-expanding world. All these are focused without neglecting the importance of the student's psychological wellness by empowering them with coping skills, resilience, and self-esteem. Apart from students, this association also intends to enable student's parents and teachers within the mentioned vital result areas.

Logo of Vetri Association



 * The letter  'அ' (pronounced as 'a') in the center is the first letter in the Tamil language, thus signifying the target community of Vetri Association – the students from Malaysian Tamil Vernacular Schools regardless of race and religion. Vetri Association is NOT based on race or religion, but only student demographics as students from Tamil vernacular schools could be from different racial and religious backgrounds.
 * The association's name is written as  'Pertubuhan Vetri'  and  'Vetri Association' in Malay and English. The translation signifies an effort to establish and glorify Malay as Malaysia's national language, besides being a key focal point of the Vetri Association (linguistics).
 * The mortarboard and scroll represent the Vetri Association's aim as being the catalyst to Tamil vernacular school students in succeeding in their dreams and goals. This is achieved by emphasizing the importance of education in determining the future of an individual. The mortarboard and scroll also represent the association's belief that children without education are like birds without wings.
 * The color red represents the bravery and spirit needed to achieve one's goals and dreams. In contrast, the circle shows how adherence to culture, values, principles, and rules defines a holistic Malaysian who's determined to succeed in his/her field.

Advisors and Members of Vetri Association
1.             Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Rahim bin Kamaluddin (Founder of Vetri Association).

2.             Datuk Dr. Swamenathan a/l S. Muthalagu (Advisor of Vetri Association).

3.             DCP Dr. Kausalya Devi Sathoo (Advisor of Vetri Association).

4.             Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan (Advisor of Vetri Association).

5.             Mr. Kesawan a/l Nagarajoo.

6.             Ms. Pushpa a/p Manimuthu.

7.             Mr. Ganaprakash a/l Varalharajoo.

8.             Madam Sugunah Sellian.

9.             Mr. Rajan Nagarajan.

10.           Ms. Linthini a/p Gannetion.

11.           Mr. R. Parthiban.

12.           Mr. Thilak Sivagnanam.

13.           Mr. Shankar a/l Durairaja.

14.           Miss Sunesha a/p Munisamy.

15.           Miss Kuganishvari a/p Santhiren.

16.           Mr. Vimal Raj Vivekanandah.

17.           Miss Muganiswary A/P Ramasamy.

18.           Miss Sindhu Thanabalan.

19.           Miss Durgayashini a/p Puspanathan.

20.           Mr. Pugelentheran a/l Paremasamy.

21.           Mr. Mogen a/p Selvaraja.

About the Founder
Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin founded Vetri Association on the 11th of December 2019. Born on the 19th of March, 1987, at Menglembu, a small town in Perak, Malaysia, Dr. Rahim is the fifth and youngest child of late Kamaluddin Abdullah and Fatimah Asadullah. He received primary education at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Mengelembu from 1994 to 1999 and continued his secondary education at Anderson Secondary School, Ipoh (SMK Anderson Ipoh) before graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Forensic Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2011. He then continued to pursue a Ph.D. in Criminology funded by Vice Chancellor Award Scholarship in the same university he graduated from in 2015. He is a proud recipient of the Royal Gold Medal and the Chancellor Gold Medal of University Sains Malaysia in that year. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the Centre Center for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His fields of interest in research cover criminal psychology, social ills, forensic science, violence and crime prevention, and psychometrics and criminal profiling.

In education, Dr. Rahim is a renowned speaker/orator/criminologist who conducts motivational talks and seminars regarding ways to achieve success, mainly for students. As a researcher, he has conducted numerous researches, primarily in the field of criminology. His published articles and books cover psychology and criminology/social ill-related issues and questions for many people, including children. Dr. Rahim is a well-respected figure in Malaysia's Indian community as he could speak, read, and write in Tamil fluently, thanks to his primary education at a Tamil vernacular school. As a speaker, Dr. Rahim has inspired many students through his motivational talks, seminars, forums, and the numerous activities conducted through Vetri Association.

Dr. Rahim is also very keen on remodeling the society for one with better, higher standards. He is part of several associations that help curb problems that could hold back a community's progression. Most of them are Non-Governmental Organizations but have the support and encouragement from the government. Dr. Rahim founded and presided over the Malaysian Criminological and Correctional Association, and plays critical roles in the Asia Pacific School Psychology Association, Malaysian School Psychology Association, and the I nstitute for Youth Research Malaysia, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia. Besides being actively involved in these associations, Dr. Rahim is part of the Malaysian Correctional Journal of the Prison Department of Malaysia and led the development of a psychological rehabilitation module for Indian prisoners. He was also the Head of Research for several national projects initiated by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). In 2018, Dr. Rahim was the head of the consultant appointed by the MoHA to develop recruitment screening tools for Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Prison Department, RELA, and Department of Security Collective Responsibility. In 2016, he was appointed as a research consultant by the Institute of Youth Research Centre (Ministry of Youths and Sports) to conduct a national-level project associated with terrorism and extremism among the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) detainees. Dr. Rahim has received several awards for his expertise and the Pingat Komisioner Jeneral Penjara from the Director-General of the Malaysian Prison Department (20201), and the Excellence Award in Criminology by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs in 2019. Dr. Rahim has also published more than 100 manuscripts (journals articles, books, policy papers, etc.) throughout his career.

Dr. Rahim is a firm believer in motivation and hence includes parents and teachers into his audience to emphasize their significance in developing their education. His priority towards Tamil vernacular schools is his primary education in a local Tamil vernacular school. Although Malaysia's education system has advanced throughout the years, most Tamil vernacular schools students who mostly come from rural areas lack adequate information regarding primary or higher education.

Activities of Vetri Association
Vetri Association has always focused on the development and advancement of students from Tamil vernacular schools. The activities conducted to ensure this goal usually targets the potential of students in various capabilities, which include the three key result areas: STEM Education, 3L (Language, Linguistics, and Leadership), and Psychological Wellness. In April 2020, the Vetri Association kick started their activities by organizing the Science E-Kids Challenge, which involved students answering online challenges posted by the organizer. This contest was organized during the first Movement Control Order during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. This competition was also partly sponsored by the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) to develop an interest in science among the students who participate. It was then held at a national level and saw many participants with initial entries at up to 200 students from more than 80 Tamil vernacular schools in Malaysia. The winners were awarded cash prizes, e-certificates, and free subscriptions to The Petri Dish (sponsored by MABIC) for a year. Other awards in this competition include the Junior Author Award, Junior Innovator Award, and Junior Science Communicator Award. The overall champion of this competition was Jegneshwaran Vijaya Kumar from SJKT Batu Caves, Selangor.

Apart from contests, they execute self-development activities such as their recent ‘100 Impactful Quotes’ project. They develop inspiring, motivational quotes, design e-posters, and post them on social media to help encourage anyone who reads them. These quotes were shared more than 300 times on Facebook and reached more than 50000 Facebook users.

The association has also organized many self-development programs for children in need. The workshops and seminars organized focused more on students with special needs, Juvenile crime, and dyslexia being the primary concern. These activities helped the parents of affected students understand their children better and provide them with the necessary attention needed to shape them better. Vetri aims to improve student's mainstream education and overall performance, both in and out of the classroom, besides creating awareness for children of special needs by educating the general public regarding the importance of acknowledging and acting for special children. They have also invited over international speakers to deliver their ideas, thoughts, and to inspire along with the members of the association. For this, Vetri Association has collaborated National Organization of Dyslexia Malaysia. More than 10000 viewers have watched the online webinars and more than 50 teachers and parents have joined the two days' workshop on dyslexia. Also conducted Free webinars on psychological wellness such as positive parenting and family well-being for parents and teachers. This project also involved an expert from India – Dr. U. Vijayabanu.

Another prospective program organized by Vetri Association is a National Symposium on Adolescent Psychology in March 2021. To support the mission, Pertubuhan Kaunselor Komuniti Tamil Malaysia has joined as the co-organizer for this symposium. It is anticipated that this symposium would recruit more than 200 participants comprising of Tamil school teachers, secondary school counseling teachers, parents, and Non –Governmental Organization (NGO) leaders. Apart from all these activities, Vetri Association also becomes a co-organizer for an online essay writing competition organized by the Perak Association of Hindu Youths.

Vetri Association also continually provides information and short lessons through their Facebook page, where they post information regarding general knowledge, science, or language. This simple, concise, and consistent delivery of information ensures a slow and steady development among students who visit the page. The founder, advisors and members of the Vetri Association have always prioritize education over everything, and their activities are still focused on success through proper and fulfilled education.

Tamizhal Naan
Tamizhal Naan is a biography written by Dr. Rahim and published in 2019 after two years of writing. The book was published in Tamil, mainly focusing on the Indian community of Malaysia. More than 2000 copies have been sold since published, and the profits obtained from this book are the primary source of funds for the Vetri Association. The Vetri Association has conjured the idea of the formation during the launch of this book.

Tamizhal Naan narrates the growth of Dr. Rahim from his toddler years until his current, focusing on his struggles, desires, goals, efforts, and achievements along the way. It was written to increase the awareness regarding the purposes and importance of proper education in bringing up a community, besides emphasizing and inspiring readers to focus on their goals regardless of their financial situation. Through his book, Dr. Rahim aims to shift parents who stress financial stability towards education as the savior of poverty towards education being the ultimate solution. He emphasized the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and experience in the journey towards success. As for students, he aims to inspire and encourage them to pursue education without fail, regardless of whatever financial position.

Awards and Recognition
Vetri Association was nominated for the Third Avathar Awards in 2021 under the Appreciation Category for Outstanding Indian Community Service.