Dr Anthony Alexander Vee Yee Chong is a pioneering Malaysian Deaf researcher, sociologist, educator, and activist. In 2021, he became the first Deaf person to receive a doctorate from the University of Malaya, earning his PhD in Sociology. Dr Chong is a long-time advocate for the Deaf community, co-founder of the Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM).
Education
He earned a master’s in Linguistics and another in Deaf Studies, specializing in Cultural Studies. His second master’s was supported by the Nippon Foundation’s World Deaf Leadership Scholarship[1].
In 2021, Dr Chong achieved a significant milestone by becoming the University of Malaya’s first deaf doctorate recipient, completing a PhD in Sociology[1][2].
Career and Research
Dr Chong’s career spans research, advocacy, and education. His scholarly contributions include published articles and organized programs raising awareness of Malaysian Sign Language (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia, or BIM) and the barriers the Deaf community faces. He continues to work with Deaf communities to develop a literature repository in BIM, supported by the Krishen Jit Fund, reinforcing both linguistic and cultural empowerment[1].
Activism and Advocacy
A committed activist, Dr Chong has been involved in Deaf education and advocacy for over 20 years. In 2014, he co-founded MyBIM (Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association), driven by concerns over discrepancies between sign language taught academically and the signs used in practice by the Deaf community[1].
Through his advocacy, he has spoken at various conferences on the need to improve conditions and recognition for deaf persons, emphasizing impactful, sustainable change[2].
Legacy and Impact
Dr Chong’s work bridges academic scholarship, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. By advocating for the production of BIM literature and long-term infrastructure, he is helping to ensure the Deaf community in Malaysia is both visible and supported in higher education and beyond. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and meaningful societal impact.
- Wiki Impact. (2024). Dr Anthony Chong.
- Chong, A.A.V.Y. (2021). The Construction of Deaf People’s Identities through Intersectionality in Malaysian Mainstream Society (PhD thesis). University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Google Scholar. (n.d.). Vee Yee Chong – Google Scholar profile.
