Global Scuba Institute, Malaysia | South east asia
Welcome to Global Scuba Institute (GSI) — the premier SSI Diamond Centre & Instructor Training Centre in Southeast Asia. We are proud to be recognized as the region’s most prestigious hub for professional scuba diving education, dedicated exclusively to developing the next generation of world-class dive leaders.
Founded by Faza Raflis, one of Malaysia’s youngest and most accomplished SSI Instructor Trainers, together with his mentee Imogen Davies, a marine scientist and highly respected SSI Instructor Trainer, Global Scuba Institute was built on passion, expertise, and a shared vision: to create a centre of excellence where ambitious divers become elite professionals. Together, they bring over a decade of teaching experience, award-winning achievements, and a shared passion for shaping future leaders in the dive industry.
Unlike general dive schools, Global Scuba Institute is the only centre in South East Asia region focused solely on SSI professional-level scuba training. From Divemaster to Instructor Trainer preparation course, we provide a pathway that transforms passionate divers into globally recognized SSI leaders. With a 100% Instructor Training Course (ITC) pass rate and award-winning trainers, we deliver results that no other centre in the region can match.
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Prestige & Recognition – Known as the only dedicated SSI Instructor Training Centre of its kind in Southeast Asia.
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Elite Mentorship – Learn directly from 2 SSI Platinum Award instructors with international teaching experience.
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Global Network – Our graduates are now thriving as dive professionals, resort managers, and dive centre owners across Asia and beyond.
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Career-Focused Training – Every program is designed not just to certify, but to launch successful, long-term careers in scuba diving.
If you aspire to become more than just a scuba instructor — if you want to join the ranks of Southeast Asia’s most respected dive professionals — Global Scuba Institute is where your journey begins.
Meet Faza Raflis - SSI Instructor trainer
At just 27, Faza Raflis founded Juara Scuba Academy on Tioman Island, a modest beginning that would soon grow into one of Malaysia’s most respected SSI Diamond Instructor Training Centres. What started with a few tanks and a vision has now produced over 1,500 certified divers, proving that determination and passion can build excellence from the sand up.
By the age of 32, Faza achieved what few in Southeast Asia ever have becoming Malaysia’s youngest SSI Instructor Trainer. With more than 7,000 logged dives and a 100% Instructor Training Course pass rate, his programs have become a benchmark for quality scuba education in the region.
His expertise extends beyond the tourism and recreation sector, a responsibility few civilian instructors ever experience. Faza has been entrusted to train members of Malaysia’s elite VAT 69 Commando Unit, a testament to his professionalism, precision, and mastery in high-discipline environments. The same attention to detail and safety he applies to elite training now defines every course he conducts.
Through his new venture, Global Scuba Institute (GSI), Faza focuses on empowering divers across Malaysia and Southeast Asia to turn their passion into purpose. His SSI Instructor Training Courses and Professional Dive Career Pathway programs guide aspiring professionals through a structured, mentorship-driven journey transforming them into confident dive leaders, respected educators, and ocean ambassadors who inspire others to explore and protect the underwater world.
Meet Imogen Davies - Marine Scientist & SSI Instructor trainer
Born in Wales, United Kingdom, Imogen Davies grew up surrounded by the wild coastlines of the North Atlantic, a place that ignited her lifelong fascination with the sea.
Her journey began in marine research and conservation, where she gained wide international experience volunteering with marine conservation NGOs across the globe, from coral restoration projects in the tropics to coastal ecology initiatives in Europe.
In 2019, Imogen’s path led her to Malaysia, where science met purpose and passion became profession. A trained Marine Scientist, she approaches diving with curiosity, precision, and a deep respect for the ocean. Her academic background allows her to blend research-based understanding with real-world diving, giving students a holistic view of marine ecosystems and their role as ocean stewards.
Under the mentorship of Faza, Imogen transitioned from Divemaster to Instructor and eventually became one of Malaysia’s few female SSI Instructor Trainers, a testament to her determination, empathy, and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
At Global Scuba Institute (GSI), Imogen co-leads professional training programs that integrate science, sustainability, and teaching excellence. Through the SSI Instructor Training Courses and Professional Dive Career Pathway programs, she helps divers evolve into confident educators and conservation-minded leaders who make a difference across Southeast Asia.
When she’s not teaching, Imogen continues to champion marine conservation and reef monitoring projects, empowering local communities and inspiring future generations to protect the ocean that connects us all.
Our Partners/Certification
Global Scuba Institute is proud to collaborate with internationally recognized diving organizations and certifying bodies that share our vision for excellence beneath the surface. Our certifications are globally respected, opening doors for divers and professionals across borders. These partnerships aren’t just affiliations—they’re alliances to uphold safety, push boundaries, and cultivate elite-level talent in the diving world.
WHAT our STUDENTS SAY
Our Locations
Based in the heart of Southeast Asia, Global Scuba Institute operates from Malaysia—an oceanic paradise rich with biodiversity, warm waters, and year-round diving opportunities. Our location is more than a backdrop; it’s an immersive classroom where every reef, wreck, and current becomes part of the learning experience. Here, in one of the world’s most celebrated dive regions, we’re shaping the future of the diving industry, one leader at a time.
