by Anishametra Saravanan
The first thing you notice about FrogAsia’s Head of Data Analytics, Lim Han Ying, is her infectious energy and enthusiasm. When she walked into the room, she was bubbling with excitement about the department activity she was organising for the day — go-karting. With a big smile, she shared that next week they have bowling planned, followed by laser tag, amongst a series of activities lined up for the first six weeks since moving into Menara in early June. Han Ying’s passion for trying new activities, which we’ll cover later in this write-up, is just one example of her zest for life and work.
Growing up, Han Ying was always drawn by the allure of computer games, often tinkering with the settings on her uncle’s computer. Her curiosity led her to experiment with features in the operating system, though the specifics of those early trials are now fuzzy memories. “I was very curious about how things work. So, I’d change the features in Windows 98. I don’t really remember the details…” she laughed as she reminisced about her younger days. This memory marked the beginning of her blossoming interest in technology.
Han Ying at LEAD 2023
Her dreams of becoming a game designer set her on a coding path, prompting her to study Software Engineering. This decision led her to 3 and a half years of programming before joining Xchanging Malaysia, where she worked from 2014 to 2016 on intriguing projects ranging from the Internet of Things (IoT) to analytics. During this period, her fascination with using data to predict and add value for the company began to grow.
Her drive to develop her data skillset surged at FrogAsia, where she tackled the 1BestariNet project. She aimed to create a single data source for teachers and students, predicting and improving performance through exercises and quizzes. Despite challenges, she assembled a team and by 2017, established a robust data ecosystem. She laid the foundation for sourcing, cleaning, and visualising data, eventually integrating it into a machine learning platform for sophisticated predictions.
Since January 2024, Han Ying’s team has been developing an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) educational application, a revolutionary learning platform that provides learning resources, dynamic tutoring, and interpretive insights into student progress. Currently in its beta stage, this application aims to ignite the curiosity of teachers and students alike. “I am the bridge between product and developers, focusing on prompt engineering to optimise AI outputs and ideating new data collection methods,” Han Ying stated.
“I view data as a powerful tool, almost like a weapon. When I tell developers something isn't accurate or good enough, there's often an assumption it's fine because it's just text. But to ensure the content we create truly benefits students, I rely on data. By measuring quality through keywords and delivering clear results and scores, I prove the necessity for improvement.”
Lim Han YingHead of Data Analytics at FrogAsia
Han Ying also spearheaded FrogAsia’s CSR programme with Teach For Malaysia. The programme started in 2022, leveraging their mobile app Launchpad, which provided equitable access to online educational resources for students from B40 (the bottom 40% of income earners) communities. They built community relationships through monthly activities and competitions, in which the team actively participated in delivering financial literacy content and tutoring sessions for the PPR students.
“It was a very eye-opening experience for us to see the state in which these B40 families are living and the difference we could make in our very own community,” Han Ying reflected.
Han Ying with her FrogAsia team: exciting games, activities and a whole lot of fun!
Despite her busy schedule, Han Ying finds passion in working out and solving puzzles. “Intense exercises like kickboxing help me combat negative thoughts and self-doubt, proving I can overcome challenges,” she says. To unwind, she enjoys puzzles, a hobby rooted in her programming background. “I’ve even created escape rooms in our office, including one to celebrate our last day in D6!” she added with a smile.
Han Ying’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. Reflecting on sources of her own inspiration, she shared, “I love listening to Mel Robbins’ podcasts! One episode that deeply moved me was about how Mel improved pass rates in a dangerous school in the US by using the intercom daily to thank every teacher and student, ending with ‘I love you.’ When asked why, she said, ‘If nobody else tells you, I want to let you know that I love you.’ This simple and persistent act gave students hope and made them feel seen.”
Drawing from such impactful stories, Han Ying’s work is driven by a similar ethos — lifting others up and making a difference. Her commitment to leveraging data, technology, and community engagement not only shapes the future of education but also inspires others to find their passion and drive, creating a ripple effect of positive change around her.
