{"id":625,"date":"2025-05-16T16:35:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T08:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thr2024.yayasanhasanah.org\/?page_id=625"},"modified":"2025-05-22T11:16:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T03:16:21","slug":"abbernaa-from-classical-dance-to-policy-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thr2024.yayasanhasanah.org\/ms\/education\/abbernaa-from-classical-dance-to-policy-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Abbernaa: Daripada Tarian Klasik ke Penyelidikan Dasar"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Abbernaa: From Classical Dance to Policy Research<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cambridge University graduate, Khazanah scholar, strategy associate at Malaysia\u2019s sovereign wealth fund \u2014 Abbernaa Dhevi Kukananthan\u2019s resum\u00e9<\/span><\/span> reads like a dream.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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But before the policy briefs and proposal decks, there were mudras<\/em> (expressive hand gestures) and monologues, ragas<\/em> shaped by centuries of melodic tradition, and rehearsal halls that echoed with purpose.<\/p>

Born to parents immersed in the classical vocal heritage of carnatic music, she began bharatanatyam<\/em> \u2013 a form of Indian classical dance \u2013 at the age of six and later explored drama and theatre.<\/p>

\u201cPerforming arts has always been a big part of my life. I\u2019ve always been interested in people, systems and structures,\u201d says the Human, Social and Political Sciences graduate who sees a strong connection between her art and field of study.<\/p>

Classical dance and theatre were early lessons in how structure gives rise to expression. Be it the repeated practice of the araimandi<\/em> stance until it held both grace and strength, or the careful delivery of lines to achieve the right effect \u2014 they all boil down to precision and discipline.<\/p>

Today, those same principles guide her work in Khazanah Nasional Berhad, where every small detail matters, and context is everything.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Of Pursuing Dreams and Nation Building<\/h4>

Over the years, Abbernaa has worn many hats \u2014 and made each one beautifully her own. This is one of the makings of a good candidate for a Khazanah scholarship.<\/p>

\u201cIt is not solely about academics. We want well-rounded scholars: someone with strong results, active in co-curricular activities, possesses leadership potential and most importantly, a genuine passion to give back to society and the nation,\u201d Khazanah Global Scholarship Senior Manager, Azlina Jaffar explains.<\/p>

The idea to establish a scholarship programme originated from the then Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi and was entrusted to select, support and nurture exceptional individuals.<\/p>

Khazanah Global is the first scholarship programme offered by the foundation which has supported the dreams of over 1,600 awardees across all its scholarship programmes since.<\/p>

There is a five-level assessment process, for candidates of the overseas programmes, that culminates with an interview with YK trustees to determine the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of students who will eventually take on high-level positions at the top organisations in the country.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tWe hope to have a ripple effect. We want our scholars to be change-makers who impact people\u2019s lives as how we have changed theirs through education.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAzlina<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The Scholar Experience<\/strong><\/p>

That impact is embodied in graduates like Abbernaa. \u201cI hope I\u2019m always of service,\u201d she says, her tone resolute.<\/p>

Whether it is performing on a stage, climbing the corporate ladder or volunteering with NGO, Hunger Hurts Malaysia after working hours, she is a strong proponent of always being mindful of the overarching picture.<\/p>

Abbernaa applied for the Khazanah Global Scholarship Programme back in 2017. \u201cThe entire process was so seamless and fun; I felt so heard and seen,\u201d she shares, adding that she never felt pigeonholed into a predefined mould of what a scholar should be.<\/p>

What drew her to apply was the freedom to choose her preferred course. \u201cThis was a wonderful degree because it covered the entirety of the human experience, allowed me to unpack global systems and understand how everything is interlinked,\u201d she explains, referring to her studies of politics, international relations, sociology and anthropology.<\/p>

She describes her tertiary education experience abroad as \u201cenlightening, joyful and introspective.\u201d Studying alongside students from both developed and developing nations, she found the exchange of perspectives deeply enriching. It reinforced her goal of ensuring people are happy and liberated.<\/p>

When asked her advice for those applying for a Khazanah scholarship, Abbernaa has this to say: \u201cAs cliche as it sounds \u2014 be yourself! After SPM, people told me to stick to the safe options and the typical mark scheme of how a scholar should be. I think we need to get rid of that.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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