KUALA LUMPUR, 9TH MARCH 2025 – Ascendance, the global social enterprise, marks its 10th anniversary this year with the release of its highly anticipated new book, “Ascendance: The Origin Story.” The book launch, held at Menara Hap Seng in Kuala Lumpur, brought together teachers, students, and alumni from across Malaysia, including Sarawak, Perak, Penang, and Johor, to celebrate a decade of impact. Ascendance has successfully reached over 55,000 students in 26 countries through its innovative programs.
True to the organization’s mission, the entire book launch event was organized by Ascendance’s Gen Z team, aged 10 to 23 years old. Many of the event organizers were former participants, now eager to give back and inspire the next generation. “As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the improvement in language and life skills in my students,” said Cikgu Siti Hasrat from SMK Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak. “The experiential learning provided by Ascendance helps students develop vital skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, and decision-making, making their learning experience more meaningful.”
The event featured a flashback video where the four founders—Mathura Kannan, Heerraa Ravindran, Sanadtkumar Ganesan, and Harsha Ravindran—shared the inspiring story of Ascendance’s humble beginnings. What started as an initiative to engage disengaged Gen Zs in achieving their goals while still in school, has now evolved into an internationally recognized youth organization.
“I’m incredibly proud to see how far Ascendance has come,” said Heerraa Ravindran, the author of “Ascendance: The Origin Story” and co-founder. “Writing this book allowed me to reflect on the journey we’ve taken, from being ordinary teens to conducting our first peer-to-peer program, and eventually becoming the first Malaysians to receive The Diana Award in 2019. It’s a true honor to see how far we’ve come and to realize that anyone can achieve the most ambitious dreams when surrounded by the right support system.”
Mahalaxcme Ganesan, a former participant who now serves as Acting CEO of Ascendance Malaysia at just 21 years old, expressed her excitement for the future: “It feels surreal to be in this role now, having worked with thousands of students across Southeast Asia. Ascendance’s work is proof that young people have the power to create lasting impact, and I’m excited for my team and I to continue paving the way for more students to discover their potential.”
As Ascendance enters its next chapter, the organization remains committed to empowering teens with essential skills such as entrepreneurship and leadership, while working to engage the disengaged generation through peer-to-peer programs. The enterprise is also expanding its reach to the United States, thanks to a new partnership with The Motley Fool, a leader in financial education. This collaboration marks a significant step toward shaping the next generation of changemakers in the U.S.
For those who wish to be inspired by Ascendance’s incredible journey, the book “Ascendance: The Origin Story” is available for purchase at www.ascendancefounders.com/book. Individuals or companies interested in making a direct impact among at-risk students can connect with Ascendance’s non-profit arm, Persatuan Minda Dinamik dan Kreatif (PMDK), at [email protected].
