Curriculum Vitae

DR. YOONG SOO MAY

Senior Lecturer
  • Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling
    Faculty of Education
  • soomayyoong

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Yoong Soo May received her Bachelor degree in Remedial Education; both Masters and Ph.D. in Special Education. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, where she began her appointment on 26 September 2025. Prior to joining Universiti Malaya, she served as an Assistant Director at the Special Education Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia from 27 December 2022 to 25 September 2025.

Dr. Yoong’s research interests include special education, learning disabilities, specific learning disorders, and inclusive education. She has obtained 3 copyrights for her innovative works: Dyscalculia Module, Metic Board, and Dyscalculia Checklist.

In addition, she had received 9 international awards and 7 national awards. Among them are: Platinum Award in 2nd Innovation for Disability-Inclusive Education Competition (iDIEC2025), Excellent Paper Award in International Conference on Arts, Education and Social Science (ICAES 2023) in Paris, Top 20 Finalist in Special Education Innovation Award (SEIA) 2022, and Best Paper Award in International Conference on Education, Ethics, Legal, Social Science and Technology (ICEELST2020).

Dr. Yoong has actively participated in innovation competitions, where she has received 4 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze medals. Dr. Yoong was also actively participated in 3 Minute Thesis Competition, where she was also the Third Place Winner at the National Level Virtual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition organised by Universiti Malaya in 2022.

She has published 30 articles, (4 Scopus, 13 ERA, 13 refereed journal), 2 articles in conference proceeding, 8 books, 2 chapters in book, and 1 living reference work entry in Encyclopedia of Educational Innovation (SpringerNature Link). She had conducted many presentations either as invited speaker, workshop presenter, conference presenter at international and national conferences.

Dr. Yoong also contributes to academic leadership as an External Examiner for the Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education Programme at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027.

Her community engagement includes delivering workshops, conducting train-the-trainer programmes for special educators and parents, serving as a jury member in innovation competitions, and reviewing for several reputable academic journals.

Currently, she supervises Ph.D. students (Thesis), Master’s students (Project) and Bachelor Degree students.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR DISABILITY (INCLUDING LEARNING DIFFICULTY AND LEARNING DISABILITY)
    Social Sciences, Education, Special Training And Education

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • MASTER OF EDUCATION (SPECIAL EDUCATION), (Pendidikan Khas)
    Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak
  • DOKTOR FALSAFAH, (Education)
    Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak

MEMBERSHIPS

  • PELANTIKAN SEBAGAI AHLI JAWATANKUASA KECIL ETIKA PENYELIDIKAN UNIVERSITI MALAYA - BUKAN PERUBATAN (UMREC), MEMBER
    2025 to present (University)
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (NASE), MEMBER
    2025 to 2026 (National)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Silver
    2026, MNNF Network,  (International)
  • Silver Medal
    2026, Digit360 - Universiti Teknologi MARA Startup Company, Universiti Teknologi MARA,  (International)
  • 1st Runner Up in Inclusive Vision Board Contest
    2025, ASEAN University Network-Disability and Public Policy Network (AUN-DPPnet),  (International)
  • Silver Medal
    2025, Kolej Vokasional Tanah Merah, National
  • Silver Award
    2025, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, International
  • Silver Award
    2025, Politeknik Negeri Jakarta, International
  • Platinum Award
    2025, The Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (SEAMEO SEN), International

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
  1. Ocampo, J. M. J., Yoong, S. M., & Dela-Pena, S. M. P. (2026). Lived experiences of instructors on emergency remote teaching to mainstreamed college students with visual impairment in a higher education institution. EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, 18(2), 101-126.
  2. Fauzi, F. M., Low, H. M., Phoon, H. S., & Yoong, S. M. (2024). Memori kerja dalam pembelajaran matematik: Merungkai cabaran dan merintis Solusi bagi murid bermasalah pembelajaran. Journal of Contemporary Social Science and Education Studies, 4(3), 205-214.
  3. Yoong, S. M., Ahmad, N. A., Anal, A., Gengatharan, K., Beram, S., & Noor, N. (2024). Validity of Dyscalculia Module for pupils with dyscalculia. Journal of ICSAR, 8(1), 130-139.
  4. Yoong, S. M., Anal, A., & Fu, S. H. (2024). Enhancing basic mathematical skills of pupils with mathematical learning difficulties using Metic Board: A conceptual framework. Journal of Social Sciences and Business, 3(1), 20-26.
  5. Yoong, S. M., Anal, A., Ocampo, J. M., & Dela Pena, S. M. (2024). Effectiveness of Basic Arithmetic Skills Module among pupils with dyscalculia symptoms. AsTEN Journal of Teacher Education, 8(1), 106-122.
  6. Beram, S., Awang, M., Ismail, R., Ramalu, R. R., Noor, N., Yoong, S. M., Kho, F. C. Y., & Samichan, A. (2023). Professional Leadership Competencies for Malaysian Educational Middle Leaders. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 31(4), 1363-1382.
  7. Chen, M., Wong, W. L., Yin, G., Singh, C. K. S., Mihat, W., & Yoong, S. M. (2023). Global Intellectual Trend of Corpus Linguistics Studies Among Scholars in Social Sciences from September 2013 – September 2021. Asian Journal of University Education, 19(4), 613-631.
  8. Yoong, S. M., Ahmad, N. A., Singh, C. K. S., & Wong, W. L. (2023). The design and development of a dyscalculia checklist based on a focus group interview. British Journal of Special Education, 50, 403–412.
  9. Yoong, S. M., Ahmad, N. A., & Anal, A. (2022). A pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of Dyscalculia Module. International Journal of Management and Applied Science, 8(11), 84-87.
Books
  1. Fu, S. H., Tiong, L. L., & Yoong, S. M. (2026). Develop Number Sense Via CPA. Pelangi ePublishing Sdn. Bhd.
  2. Yoong, S. M. (2025). Inclusive Practices in Mathematics Teaching: Metic Board for Children with Dyscalculia. In M. A. Peters & R. Heraud (eds). Encyclopedia of Educational Innovation. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2262-4_345-1
  3. Fu, S. H., Lavina Nair, M. N., & Yoong, S. M. (2024). Pelangi ePublishing Sdn. Bhd.
  4. Fu, S. H., Yoong, S. M., & Tiong, L. L. (2023). The Adventure of Understanding Money. Pelangi ePublishing Sdn. Bhd.

PAPER PRESENTED

INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Understanding Learning Difficulties - Dyscalculia, Knowledge Sharing, Oasis Place Sdn. Bhd. (National) (26 Feb 2026 - 26 Feb 2026)
  2. Basic Teaching Approaches for Specific Learning Disorders, -, Centre of Counselling and Disability Empowerment (University) (11 Dec 2025 - 11 Dec 2025)
  3. Special Education in Malaysia, 15th Malaysia Chinese Community Counselling Conference on "Counselling and Special Education: A Collaborative Approach to Special Needs and Families", Persatuan Penulis-Penulis Kristian Malaysia (National) (19 Sep 2025 - 21 Nov 2025)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Effectiveness of Basic Arithmetic Skills (BAS) Module among Pupils with Dyscalculia Symptoms, The 5th AsTEN Conference, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (International) (03 Dec 2023 - 04 Dec 2023)

ACADEMIC/ PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2025) Article Reviewer/behavioural Strengths of Autistic Students That Enable Effective Teaching and Learning: a Scoping Review With Bibliometric Analysis Using Robins-i Risk of Bias Tool, National, (Reviewer)
  2. (2025) Article Reviewer/parents’ Perceptions of Online Learning for Children With Dyslexia During The Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia, National, (Reviewer)
  3. (2025) Article Reviewer/the Interplay of Number Concept Development and Working Memory Capacity: Insights from Students With Special Needs, National, (Reviewer)
  4. (2025) Adaptation of Malaysian Chinese Mothers Who Have Children With Dyslexia: Perspectives from a Special Needs Education Teacher and Mental Health Practitioners, National, (Reviewer)
  5. (2025) Article Reviewer/an Eye Into The 2023 Curriculum Framework in Zambia: What is There for Special and Inclusive Education?, International, (Reviewer)
  6. (2023) Coping With Stressful Behaviour of Autism: Voices of Lusaka Parents - Zambia, International, (Reviewer)
  7. (2021) Lantikan Sebagai Reviewer Jurnal Pendidikan Bitara Edisi Khas, National, (Reviewer)
Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2026) External Examiner for Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education Programme, National, (Academic Appointment )
Contribution to event
  1. (2026) Member of Registration, Secretariat, and Souvenirs of The Conference Planning Committee for The 2026 Apcda Hybrid Conference, International, (Event Coordinator)
Mentoring
  1. (2026) Academic Advisor for Undergraduate Students, University, (Academic Advisor)

PATENT/ IPR

  • Dyscalculia Checklist
    Copyright (National)
  • Metic Board
    Copyright (National)
  • Modul Diskalkulia
    Copyright (National)

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITIES

  • Juri Bagi Konvensyen Suara Guru Malaysia 2025, (01 Nov 2025 - 01 Nov 2025) (University)
  • Juri Pertandingan Amalan Terbaik Pelaksanaan Inklusif Sempena Karnival Kecemerlangan Inklusif 2025, (22 Sep 2025 - 26 Sep 2025) (National)