From Vision to Reality: Leave a Nest Malaysia Celebrates 12 Years Empowering Science and Technology in Southeast Asia

Cyberjaya, Malaysia — October 14, 2025

As we celebrate the 12th anniversary of Leave a Nest Malaysia, I am deeply grateful to reflect on our journey — one that began with a bold vision and continues today through the dedication of passionate people united by a shared mission.

Leave a Nest Malaysia was founded in 2013 under the leadership of Dr. Kihoko Tokue, who envisioned Malaysia as a Muslim Hub of Science and Technology. Her aspiration was to create a place where science and technology could serve society through values of empathy, responsibility, and collaboration. This vision marked the beginning of Leave a Nest’s journey in Malaysia — nurturing young minds, connecting academia, industry, and communities to turn ideas into action and discoveries into real-world impact.

In those early years, Leave a Nest Malaysia was not just a company — it was a belief that Malaysia could play a significant role in shaping the future of science and innovation in Southeast Asia. The small but passionate team worked tirelessly to bring the Leave a Nest philosophy of “Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness” to life, building bridges across disciplines and borders.

Three Transformative Stages of Growth

Over the past twelve years, our journey has unfolded through three key stages of transformation — each representing an important milestone in our development.

The Foundation Stage (2013–2017)

This stage laid the groundwork for Leave a Nest Malaysia’s establishment under Dr. Kihoko Tokue’s leadership. We began by building trust with local universities, research institutions, and industries while introducing the concept of knowledge-based collaboration.

During this period, we organized science workshops for children to inspire their curiosity and passion for science and technology. It was also during this stage that Ms. Fatin and I (Hakim) joined as the first Malaysian members, marking the start of the localization journey.

As the foundation solidified, Dr. Tokue passed the baton to Ms. Nami Akinaga, who became the second Managing Director, leading the company into its next transformative phase.

The Transition Stage (2017–2019)

Under Ms. Nami Akinaga’s leadership as the second Managing Director, Leave a Nest Malaysia entered a phase of localization and regional engagement. I then took on the role of Director during this stage, focusing on empowering local members and strengthening collaboration between Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region.

This period saw the launch of key initiatives such as SCIENCE CASTLE Malaysia (2018), and TECH PLANTER Indonesia (2018), Career Discovery Forum Malaysia (2018), Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in Malaysia (2019) — platforms that connected young scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs with academia and industry.

Our Malaysian team also began leading regional projects, demonstrating that local leadership could drive global impact through innovation and co-creation.

The Growth Stage (2019–2025)

The Growth Stage has been a defining chapter for Leave a Nest Malaysia. As the third Managing Director, my focus has been on deepening our roots and expanding our influence across Southeast Asia.

Dr. Yuko Ueno joined as Director, contributing to the development of the Leave a Nest Group’s regional network. Under this strengthened leadership, Leave a Nest Malaysia evolved into the Southeast Asia Headquarters, coordinating activities across Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Through education development, human development, research development, and frontier development platforms, we cultivated a strong ecosystem that fosters co-creation among diverse stakeholders — from students and scientists to startups and corporations. The past few years have tested our resilience, but through every challenge, our purpose has only grown stronger.

Stepping into the Expansion Stage

Now, we stand at the threshold of a new era — the Expansion Stage.

This stage aligns with the Leave a Nest Group’s global vision to expand from six offices to 60 countries worldwide in the coming twelve years. As the Southeast Asia Headquarters, Malaysia will play an essential role in achieving this vision — leading initiatives that connect people, ideas, and technologies across borders.

Guided by the theme “Energy Concentration,” our focus will be on strengthening leadership, fostering deeper partnerships, and accelerating innovation throughout the region. It is a call for us to channel our collective energy and expertise to create meaningful and sustainable impact for society.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Purpose

None of our achievements would have been possible without the trust and collaboration of our partners, Nakama, and friends — in Malaysia, Japan, and across Southeast Asia. Each one has contributed to shaping Leave a Nest Malaysia into what it is today: a platform where science, knowledge, and passion come together to create tangible value for society.

From two pioneering members to 22 passionate changemakers, our story is one of belief, perseverance, and co-creation. As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that our mission extends far beyond our borders — to inspire and connect people who share the same dream of building a happier and more sustainable world through science and technology.

The past twelve years have been about building strong foundations. If you want to learn more on our initiatives, feel free to visit NESTGARAGE website where our knowledge is gathered.  

The next twelve will be about expanding horizons — empowering new leaders, new ideas, and new collaborations across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Together, we will continue to advance science and technology for global happiness.

Mr. Abdul Hakim Sahidi Managing Director
Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.