My Story

ABOUT DR VINA VIVA

Dr Vina Viva (Ervina Alfan) is a retired academic, writer, trainer, and reflective practitioner who spent 25 years in higher education. She holds a PhD in Accounting from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and served in various academic and leadership roles throughout her career.

Her professional background spans accounting, governance, integrity, financial reporting, research, and higher education. Beyond academia, she is also an HRD Corp Certified Trainer, with a longstanding interest in personal growth, emotional well-being, and human development.

Over the years, she has explored various approaches that support self-awareness and personal reflection. She previously served as an AKRAB (Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam) member, and has completed practical training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), House-Tree-Person (HTP) Art Drawing Interpretation, and related reflective and helping approaches. She is also a member of the Mindfulness Love Therapy community.

Today, she writes under the pen name Dr Vina Viva, bringing together insights from both her professional experience and personal reflections. Her writings explore themes of self-understanding, emotional resilience, healing, kindness, purpose, and the quiet process of becoming more fully oneself.

The name Vina Viva carries a personal meaning. Vina comes from the last four letters of her given name, Ervina, while Viva is derived from the Latin expression meaning "long live." Together, the name reflects her heartfelt wish that her writing may continue to live on in the hearts of its readers, offering comfort, reflection, encouragement, and hope long after the words have been read.

Through projects such as Baby Saggia™, reflective guides, and contemplative writing, she hopes to create gentle spaces where readers can pause, reflect, and reconnect with their inner wisdom.

She believes that growth need not be rushed, and that sometimes the most meaningful discoveries begin with a moment of stillness.

The writings on this website are reflections of the philosophical thoughts that shape this quiet belief.