Faezrah Rizalman

Faezrah Rizalman is a technologist and software engineer renowned for founding Elevate Academy of Technology & Innovation, Sabah’s first coding and digital school. Her primary aim is to empower young Malaysians, particularly in Sabah, to enter the technology industry.

Having worked as a software engineer in tech startups in Kuala Lumpur, Faezrah embarked on her coding journey by teaching herself and completing a 3-month coding boot camp in London. Despite initial doubts stemming from her diverse background and non-math-focused education, she persevered and secured a junior software developer role in Petaling Jaya. This experience revealed two significant insights: the need for more female representation in tech and the high demand for software engineers.

Motivated by these realisations, Faezrah joined Rails Girls KL, a global initiative promoting female participation in software engineering, where she started as a volunteer and later became the Chapter Lead. She also contributed to initiatives like CoderDojo, an after-school coding program for children in Kuala Lumpur.

Recognizing the potential of the tech industry and aiming to curb the brain drain in Sabah, Faezrah founded Elevate Academy in 2019 (formerly Rambutan Code Academy, rebranded in 2022). Elevate’s core mission is to bridge the unemployment gap in Sabah by providing tech education opportunities to local talents, enabling them to pursue tech careers or launch their ventures. As a dedicated mentor, Faezrah is committed to nurturing the aspirations of aspiring coders and empowering the next generation of tech professionals.

Beyond her technical pursuits, Faezrah has a keen interest in current events and public policy, with a focus on technology policy and fostering digital literacy. In 2019, she received the APEC Digital Prosperity Award for her social enterprise benefiting female farmers, an achievement acknowledged at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Santiago, Chile. Her ongoing efforts continue to shape the landscape of tech education and innovation in Sabah, significantly impacting the region’s technological progress.

Making an impact means making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, communities, and the broader tech industry. I am driven by a strong sense of purpose to create positive change through education, diversity promotion, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. Ultimately, leaving a lasting mark on my local community and the field of technology.