About us
Our Story
Driving Change, Enabling Inclusion.
2014–2021: Foundation and Early Development
CIRCLE began as a faculty-based centre of excellence under the name One-Stop Centre for Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs. During this period, it offered appointment-based intervention services and supported teaching and learning (T&L) for the Special Education (AT10) program through the Therapy Laboratory and Support Services (MTEKS).
In 2021, it was officially registered as a Special Interest Group (SIG) under the Faculty of Human Development (FPM) at UPSI.
2022–2023: Rebranding and Strategic Alignment
The centre underwent rebranding and restructuring in alignment with the Strategic Core Direction of the National OKU Action Plan 2016–2022, which emphasized the delivery of quality services for persons with disabilities across all age groups.
As part of this transformation, a new name was proposed: Centre for Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI).
2024–Present: Establishment of CIRCLE
In 2024, the centre was fully restructured and officially renamed the
Centre for Inclusive Research on Community and Disability (CIRCLE).
CIRCLE is aligned with the UPSI Strategic Plan and is intended to be officially launched through the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).
A key milestone was achieved on 28 October 2024, when the 234th Meeting of the UPSI Research Committee (Bil. 9/2024) endorsed the proposal to designate CIRCLE as a formal responsibility centre under FPM.
Following this, the UPSI Senate officially approved CIRCLE as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) under FPM, with a long-term vision to attain the status of Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HiCOE) under the Ministry of Higher Education by 2030.
THE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF UNIVERSITI PENDIDIKAN SULTAN IDRIS has approved the proposal to establish the Centre for Inclusive Research on Community and Disability (CIRCLE) as a new responsibility centre under the Faculty of Education (FPM). This initiative aims to position CIRCLE as a High Centre of Excellence (HiCOE) for UPSI under the Ministry of Higher Education by 2030.
01
Our community
Our goal is to build a connected and compassionate community that embraces diversity and takes active steps to break down barriers to inclusion, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.
02
Our mission
Fostering an inclusive care economy through evidence-based research, creative innovation, and sustainable practices in disability-focused consultation, policy shaping, and national monitoring.
03
Our vision
To be the national reference centre for excellence in inclusive development and the care economy, advancing quality standards, innovation, and impact for persons with disabilities.
The CIRCLE Leadership
CIRCLE is led by a team of committed experts who champion inclusive development through research, advocacy, and collaboration.
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Affiliated Fellow of CIRCLE
They contribute expertise to advance knowledge, promote collaboration, and support impactful initiatives in their field.
Education: PhD
Area of Expertise:
- Technical & Vocational Education, Employability Skills, Career Development
Industrial Experience:
- Community rehabilitation centers, integrated special education programs, TVET for OKU initiatives
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD
Area of Expertise:
- Community Development, Empowerment, and Sustainability
Industrial Experience:
- Project Evaluator for multiple economic and community development programs (2018-2024) focusing on OKU, B40, and rural/urban communities.
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: Master’s Degree
Area of Expertise:
- Educational Research, AI-Enhanced Learning, Inclusive Assessment for OKU, ESL Pedagogy
Industrial Experience:
- Lived experience with speech fluency; Volunteer mentor for disability-inclusive learning support (2021)
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Area of Expertise:
- Special Education (Learning & Hearing Disabilities), Digital Technology in Education
Industrial Experience:
- Research assistant for OKU module development (2025), Program director for special needs workshops/web
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Area of Expertise:
- Braille Translation, Visual Impairment Education, Inclusive Education Advocacy
Industrial Experience:
- Braille translator (2025), enumerator (2024-2025), research collaborator in inclusive education (2025)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD in Health Sciences, University of Sydney (2020)
Areas of Expertise:
- Inclusive & Special Education
Professional Affiliations:
Honorary Affiliate, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney (since August 2021)
Education: PhD
Area of Expertise:
- Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Inclusive Education, Innovation
Industrial Experience:
- District Special Education Coordinator (2019-2025), Advisor for Special Education organizations; Developer of special education programs and textbooks (2019-2025)
Education: Master’s Degree
Area of Expertise:
- Special Education (Learning Disabilities), TVET, Digital Entrepreneurship, Instructional Design
Industrial Experience:
- Community-based entrepreneurship initiatives for students with disabilities (2019-2022); Industry collaborations for inclusive employment (2016-2018)