Alumni Profile: Hema Letchamanan
Hema Letchamanan (MSc Comparative and International Education, 2010) is a senior lecturer and education advocate based in Malaysia. Her work focuses on improving literacy among children and strengthening teacher development in under-resourced communities.
Her interest in educational equity began at Oxford, where her master’s research examined the learning experiences of refugee children. While at Green Templeton, she volunteered with Jacari Oxford, tutoring migrant and refugee pupils. ‘That was when I first started working with refugee children,’ she recalls. ‘Those experiences shaped what I do now.’
After returning to Malaysia, Hema began volunteering in indigenous villages and found that many children attending school were still unable to read. In response, she founded Project BacaBaca in 2020, helping children aged 6 to 9 reach grade-level reading ability through short, weekly one-to-one online sessions led by volunteers. The format makes participation accessible for both children and volunteers, and to date more than 700 children have taken part.
Recognising that teacher capacity is key to sustainable change, Hema later established The Night School Project, a six-month professional learning programme for educators in refugee-led learning centres. Many of these teachers are refugees themselves and work with limited resources. The programme offers practical, trauma-informed professional development and peer support. ‘These teachers do so much, often with so little recognition,’ she says. ‘The Night School Project is a way to support and empower them.’
Hema credits her time at Green Templeton with shaping her approach. ‘Listening to people’s stories helped me think about how the children I work with might rewrite theirs,’ she says. She previously received College funding to spend a month teaching street children in Nepal. The experience deepened her understanding of how education can transform lives and strengthened her commitment to social responsibility.
After returning to Oxford, she joined the Giving Day telethon team, connecting with alumni and raising funds for student scholarships. Today, through Project BacaBaca and The Night School Project, Hema continues that cycle of giving, enabling other children and teachers to access the opportunities that shaped her own path: ‘I was once supported by others’ generosity, and now I’m trying to pass that forward.’
Hema encourages current students to make the most of the opportunities Oxford provides and to think beyond their immediate goals. ‘Being at Oxford is a privilege,’ she says. ‘The education we receive shouldn’t end with us; it should ripple outward.’
As an active member of the Malaysia alumni group, she also highlights the importance of connection within the alumni community. ‘It’s wonderful to see alumni groups forming around the world,’ she says. ‘Staying in touch helps keep the Green Templeton spirit alive through sharing experiences, supporting one another, and finding ways to give back.’
