“Teachers always seemed in a rush. When I asked questions, they would move on, and my friends didn’t want to help either because I asked so many. And I really didn’t like maths,” Uthaya, 40, shared with FMT Lifestyle.
Fast forward to today, students from as far as Johor flock to his tuition centre, Viper: School of Mathematics, in Seksyen 14, Petaling Jaya. They come with one goal: to conquer their exams, thanks to Uthaya’s creative teaching methods that make mathematics feel like magic.
“I don’t enter the classroom as a teacher. I approach them as a friend. I make the sessions fun, break down complex topics into easy steps, and ensure no one feels left behind,” said Uthaya, who is currently pursuing a PhD in education.
Believing that algebra is the foundation of upper-form mathematics, the father of one poured his passion into writing “The Book of Algebraic,” packed with an astounding 2,000 algebra questions.
And in August, the Cyberjaya-based Uthaya was recognised by Malaysia Book of Records for creating the “Most Mathematics Questions Exercise Book.”
“I never had the intention of getting into the Malaysia Book of Records or receiving any awards for that matter. But after my book was published, my wife and friends were shocked at the number of questions. So, they suggested that I try getting it recognised,” Uthaya shared.
The book’s impact is undeniable, with over 5,000 copies sold so far. Once, a single batch of 1,000 copies was snapped up within 24 hours of printing!
Uthaya’s experience from a struggling student to a celebrated educator is inspiring. After failing his SPM mathematics papers, he decided to tackle his weaknesses head-on.
He began meticulously deconstructing topics and questions, creating self-study modules that helped him conquer the subject. As a result, he scored an A for both subjects when he retook the papers the following year.
These modules eventually became the foundation of his teaching career, which he began as a part-time tutor during his university days.
“I was studying business administration and thought I’d work in banking. But during my practical, I realised I wasn’t cut out for the corporate world – I loved teaching too much!”
In 2008, he founded Viper in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur, before relocating to PJ in 2015. Word of his unique methods spread quickly, attracting students from across Malaysia.
“I once had a student travel all the way from Labis, Johor, every weekend just to attend my classes. That’s when I realised I was doing something truly impactful,” he said.
Uthaya’s Saturday classes are intentionally small, with 25–30 students, so everyone gets the attention they need.
Armed with patience and creativity, he makes mathematics approachable, even enjoyable, for his students. He also conducts seminars in schools as well as exam season programmes.
And he’s not one to shy away from a challenge, either. Once, he conducted a marathon 12-hour class. “Some boys didn’t want to stop, so we continued until 1am! The best part? Their parents didn’t mind at all,” he shared.
For him, moments like these are a testament to the impact he strives to make. His commitment bore fruit in one of his proudest achievements – a student who had consistently failed math.
“Within three weeks of intensive tutoring, he scored an A in his SPM,” Uthaya shared. Such moments of transformation fuel his drive to do more, not just for his students but for the broader community.
Looking ahead, Uthaya has big plans. With growing demand from other states, he hopes to expand Viper nationwide. He’s also working on a new mathematics book featuring a staggering 3,003 questions.
This unwavering commitment stems from more than just ambition – it’s deeply personal. “Even my parents know how much this means to me. I once told them I’d never skip a class for anything, not even for my wedding day,” Uthaya said.
“When it comes to teaching, I’ve never felt tired. Teaching is my gift and I really enjoy it.”
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