Dr Balan is an associate professor of the Faculty of Psychology and Education, University Malaysia Sabah, where he specializes in the Youth and Community Development program. In 2013, he won the World Inventor Award from Korea in the field of research and education in the category of social sciences. His research focuses on youth, creativity, innovation, and interventions for youth social problems. He is a member of both the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) and the Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM, formerly known as the Malaysian Institute of Personnel Management). Dr Balan obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. (Psychology) from the National University of Malaysia (UKM).