Frequently Asked Questions

SOLS Foundation (also known as Science of Life Studies 24/7 Foundation) is a Malaysian non-governmental organisation and the non-profit arm of the SOLS 24/7 Group. Founded in 2000 by Teacher Raj Ridvan Singh, it provides free non-formal education, digital skills training, solar vocational training, and community development programmes to low-income (B40) and Orang Asli/Asal (Indigenous) communities across Malaysia. Since its founding, SOLS Foundation has served over 800,000 students across seven countries over 25 years.

Yes. SOLS Foundation is registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia) as a company limited by guarantee, registration number 200801009737.

It holds tax-exempt status granted by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri) since April 2014, under LHDN reference 811025-T. Donations made to SOLS Foundation are eligible for tax deduction under Malaysian law.

SOLS Foundation's programmes are designed primarily for Malaysians from low-income (B40) households, Orang Asli and Orang Asal (indigenous) communities, school leavers and young adults without formal qualifications, and anyone seeking to improve their digital skills or English proficiency for employment. Most programmes do not require academic qualifications to apply.

Yes. SOLS Foundation holds accreditations from the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), MCII, Give2Asia, and holds MSC Status. It is the only NGO in Malaysia recognised as a Google for Education partner.

In 2016, SOLS Foundation received the UNESCO Wenhui Award for Innovation in Education. In 2023, Founder-CEO Raj Ridvan Singh was appointed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Malaysia's National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN). Managing Director Danutcha Catriona Singh was named an Obama Scholar for 2024 to 2025.

Yes. All of SOLS Foundation's programmes are provided completely free of charge to participants.

This includes Energy Access (Kampung Solar and Decarbonise), Skills Hub online courses, the SOLS Solar Academy vocational training, the SOLS ASLI Women Academy (SAWA), and the SOLS ASLI community programme. SAWA and the SOLS Solar Academy additionally cover meals, accommodation, allowance, and training materials for the full duration of the programme.

B40 refers to the bottom 40 per cent of Malaysian households by income, approximately four million families earning below RM4,360 per month, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. SOLS Foundation's programmes are designed primarily to serve low-income (B40) communities, but eligibility varies by programme. Skills Hub courses are open to all learners without income restrictions.

SOLS Solar Academy selection prioritises individuals aged 18 to 30 from low-income, Orang Asli, or Orang Asal backgrounds. Contact SOLS Foundation at comms@sols247.org for eligibility guidance on a specific programme.

No. SOLS Foundation's programmes are designed for learners who may not hold formal academic qualifications. The SOLS Solar Academy recruits from low-income and Orang Asli communities and does not require SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) or equivalent certification.

Skills Hub courses are open to all learners regardless of educational background. SOLS Foundation's mission is to serve those who have been excluded from formal education pathways.

SOLS Foundation currently runs four main programmes in Malaysia. Skills Hub is a free online learning platform with courses in English, digital literacy, and career readiness. The SOLS Solar Academy is a fully-sponsored vocational training programme in solar PV installation and EV charger installation, with meals and accommodation provided.

The SOLS ASLI Women Academy (SAWA) is a fully-sponsored workforce development scholarship for Orang Asli and Orang Asal women aged 21 to 40, providing skills training and employment placement in community education. The Energy Access programme, which includes Kampung Solar and Decarbonise, delivers free solar home systems to off-grid Orang Asli and Orang Asal villages across Malaysia.

Yes. Skills Hub is SOLS Foundation's free online learning platform, offering courses in English language proficiency, digital literacy, professional development, and artificial intelligence skills for employment. Learners can register and access courses at no cost.

The platform supports independent, self-paced study and is accessible to low-income youth and adults seeking to improve their employability. Visit sols.foundation/skills-hub to register.

The SOLS ASLI Women Academy (SAWA) is a fully-sponsored workforce development scholarship designed to empower Orang Asli and Orang Asal women aged 21 to 40 through market-relevant skills training, personal growth, and employment pathways in community education. Orang Asli and Orang Asal are Malaysia's indigenous communities, comprising approximately 178,000 Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and 2.6 million Orang Asal in Sabah and Sarawak. The programme provides training in professional communication, digital literacy, administration, teaching, community engagement, and workplace readiness.

Participants receive a structured learning environment with coaching, mentorship, and holistic support throughout the programme. Upon completion, graduates are placed in paid teaching traineeships or full-time employment at educational centres within their own communities, based on performance, interest, and employer needs. SAWA is part of SOLS Foundation's broader SOLS ASLI initiative, which delivers education and livelihood support directly within Orang Asli and Orang Asal communities across Malaysia.

The SOLS Solar Academy is a fully-sponsored vocational training programme in solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, EV charger installation, and related technical skills, established at SOLS Foundation's Kuala Lumpur centre in 2015. The programme is free of charge and includes meals and accommodation for participants throughout training.

It recruits primarily from low-income, Orang Asli, and Orang Asal communities. As of January 2026, the programme had trained over 870 graduates, with 91 per cent securing employment within the first month of completing the course and an average income increase of 83 per cent compared to pre-programme earnings.

The SOLS Solar Academy training runs for approximately six to twelve months depending on the cohort and specialisation. During this time, participants receive technical instruction in solar PV installation and EV charger installation, combined with English communication, digital skills, and professional development training. Meals and accommodation are fully provided at SOLS Foundation's Kuala Lumpur centre throughout the programme at no cost to the participant.

To apply for the SOLS Solar Academy, contact SOLS Foundation directly at comms@sols247.org or visit sols.foundation for current recruitment information. The programme recruits from low-income, Orang Asli, and Orang Asal communities in Malaysia.

No formal academic qualifications are required. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis depending on cohort availability.

As of January 2026, 91 per cent of SOLS Solar Academy graduates secured employment within their first month of completing the course. Graduates recorded an average income increase of 83 per cent compared to their earnings before joining the programme.

Over 870 graduates have completed the programme since it was established in 2015. Graduates are supported with employment placement, including opportunities with entities under the SOLS 24/7 Group, such as SOLS Energy.

SOLS Foundation's Energy Access programme delivers free solar home lighting systems to Orang Asli and Orang Asal villages that lack access to Malaysia's electricity grid. Each system provides 19 hours of consistent daily lighting and replaces reliance on kerosene lanterns and fuel-based generators. As of January 2026, the programme has connected over 5,000 off-grid indigenous families across Malaysia with solar power.

A system costing RM1,588 enables a household to save up to RM4,000 annually and increases productive hours from 4 to 8 hours per day to 48 hours per week. The long-term goal is to reach 34,000 Orang Asli homes in Peninsular Malaysia and 250,000 Orang Asal homes in Sabah and Sarawak. The programme operates under the Kampung Solar initiative, funded through SOLS Foundation's fundraising and corporate partnerships.

Decarbonise is a corporate social responsibility initiative through which SOLS Foundation, in partnership with corporate sponsors, installs solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on community centres, welfare homes, orphanages, and non-profit organisations at no cost to the beneficiaries. The programme reduces electricity costs for these organisations while supporting Malaysia's national decarbonisation goals. SOLS Energy, the solar installation technology partner of the SOLS 24/7 Group, holds accreditations from the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), Suruhanjaya Tenaga, and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in support of this programme.

Organisations can partner with SOLS Foundation through the Decarbonise programme, which provides funded solar PV installations to welfare homes, orphanages, community centres, and non-profit organisations across Malaysia. Corporate donors can also sponsor solar home systems for Orang Asli and Orang Asal families through the Kampung Solar programme.

Each system costs RM1,588 and provides a family with 19 hours of daily electricity, replacing kerosene and fuel-based generators. To discuss partnership or sponsorship opportunities, contact SOLS Foundation at comms@sols247.org.

Skills Hub issues a certificate of completion for each individual course completed on the platform. SOLS Solar Academy graduates receive an internal certificate issued by SOLS Foundation upon completing the programme. For detailed information on the type of certification issued for a specific programme, contact SOLS Foundation at comms@sols247.org.