Biography

Dr Saras is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cyber Security of School of Computing and Data Science. She obtained her doctorate degree in Mathematics Education from University of  Malaya, Malaysia in 2014. She has a MSc in Applied Mathematics and a BSc in Science majoring in Mathematics, both from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia. Over the years, she has taught different courses in calculus, engineering mathematics, algebra and statistics for various programs and levels of study from foundational studies until undergraduate studies. Her research interests include teaching and learning, ssessments and STEM, particularly in the higher learning institutions.

Research Interest

Teaching and learning, assessment, STEM

Educational Background

• PhD in Education (Mathematics), Universiti Malaya (2014)

• MSc in Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (1998)

• BSc (Hons) in Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (1996)

Working Experience

• Xiamen University Malaysia (present)

• INTI International University (2005 – 2024)

• Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College (2005)

• INTI College Malaysia (1999 – 2004)

• Nilai International College (1998 - 1999)

Research Experience

• Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund 2025Title: A Qualitative Exploratory Study on Challenges in STEM Education among Malaysia’s Visually Impaired
  Grant No: XMUMRF/2025-C16/IECE/0063
  Role: Principal researcher

• INTI IU Research Seeding Grant 2022
  Title: Impact of SES on STEM education in Malaysia
  Grant No: INTI-FEQS-10-02-2022
  Role: Principal researcher

• Fundamental Research Grant Scheme
  Title: The Development of a Framework on Assessment Methods of Students’ Innovative Capabilities
  Grant No: 28314 FRGS 2013-1
  Role: Research member

• NCDRC Research Grant
  Title: Parental Engagement Guidelines in Accelerating Children’s Excellence (PEACE) in PERMATA 
  Grant No: 2014-0009-106-04
  Role: Research member

Representative Publications

• Krishnan, S. (2025). Ethnic Disparities and Socioeconomic Factors in STEM Education in Malaysia: Towards Inclusive Practice. AKADEMIKA, 95(2), 279 – 298. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2025-9502-16

• Krishnan, S., & Reston, E. (2025). Students’ Perceptions of STEM: The Role of Demographic Variables and Socio-economic Status. Journal of Educational, Cultural and Psychological Studies (ECPS Journal). 31, 91 – 110. https://doi.org/10.7358/ecps-2025-031-krre

• Krishnan, S. (2025). The Role of Digital Technologies in Accelerating Malaysia's Economic Agenda. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 14(2), 33-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJAREMS/v14-i2/24741

• Ong, G. H., Krishnan, S. and Reston, E. (2024). Investigating Determinants of STEM Major Choice Among Malaysian Undergraduates. European Journal of STEM Education, 9(1), 17.  https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/15668 

• Krishnan, S., & Eng, F. K. (2024). Creative Teaching in Mathematics: An Example in Linear Algebra. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(3), 726–736. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i3/21426

• Krishnan, S., & Raman, A. (2024). A Bibliometric Analysis on Sustainable Research in Mathematics Education. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(1), 274–290. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i1/20417

• Krishnan, S., Reston, E., & Sukumaran, S. (2023). The Relationship between Malaysian Students’ Socio-Economic Status and their Academic Achievement in STEM education. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research. 22 (6), 533 – 551. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.6.28

• Krishnan, S. (2022). Towards Equitable Education. International Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 4(1), 130 -136. https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijeap/article/view/17886

• Krishnan, S. (2020). Investigating Students’ Misconceptions about Population and Sample. International Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 2(4), 120 -129. https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijeap/article/view/11428

• Krishnan, S. (2019). Scaffolding to Improve Learners’ Understanding. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(3), 809–814. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i3/5747

• Krishnan, S., & Idris, N. (2018). Using Partial Credit Model to Improve the Quality of an Instrument. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 7(4), 313-316.  http://doi:10.11591/ijere.v7.i4.pp313-316

• Reston, E., Krishnan, S., & Idris, N. (2014). Statistics Education Research in Malaysia and The Philippines: A Comparative Analysis. Statistics Education Research Journal, 13(2), 218-231. https://doi.org/10.52041/serj.v13i2.292

 Book Publications

• Krishnan, S., & Idris, N. (2018). Statistical Literacy, Instruction and Assessment. Penerbit Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. 
  (ISBN: 978-967-2163-23-7)

• Idris, N., & Krishnan, S. (2016). Innovative Assessment in the Mathematics Classroom. University of Malaya Press. 
  (ISBN: 978-983-100-864-5)

Honors / Awards

• Best Student Award for BSc (Industrial Mathematics) at 20th Convocation Ceremony, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (1996)

• First place winner of the Faculty Level 3-minutes thesis competition, Universiti Malaya (2013)