Postgraduate Studies September E Version

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014

Bi-monthly Magazine | Issue 23

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SOLDIER OF FORTUNE Philanthropist • Billionaire • Scholar

Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Dr. Fng Ah Seng, JP Chairman of Yayasan Muhibah Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng and Managing Director of Epic Valley Holdings Sdn. Bhd.

MORE IN THIS ISSUE: ISSN 2232-0342

HAPPENINGS

HIGHLIGHTS

Former BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa Appointed Distinguished Visiting Fellow at NUS Business School

TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION Edmund Edward Chief Executive Officer ALC COllege

PP17103/19/2014 (030736) 2014 Issue 24/ 2014 September/October RM7.00 9772232034009

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TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION Edmund Edward Chief Executive Officer ALC COllege

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SUNWAY EDUCATION GROUP’S

Elizabeth Lee Conferred Honorary Doctorate From University Of Nottingham 3

THE TEAM

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Contributors: Chan Pak Hoe, Vincent Ng Kim Sheng, Edel Florence, Roger Lee Khen Shen, Chris Yee Seng Fai, Sharmin Aktar, Tang Xiao Wei, Zoe Chew, Cheryl Cheam Shu Yan, Irene Chu Hui Ywi

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EDITOR’S NOTE

EDITOR’S NOTE While there are a raft of books and studies that analyse the billionaire mindset, what better way than to get the answer from the source?

So when I found myself in the rare position of interviewing Tan Sri Dato Paduka Dr Fng Ah Seng, a former military man who is using his self-made billions to change the face of philanthropy through his charity foundation, I seized the opportunity to ask as many questions as possible. What does he read? How does he stay motivated and excited? And most importantly, what’s the no 1 factor of his success, that we too can apply to our own lives?

The interview yielded habits that are surprisingly prosaic.

Chief among them: Have a goal.

Numerous studies have shown that the majority of the superrich maintains a diligent to-do list, and these goals set a path of action.

Self-made billionaires have a bottomless appetite for knowledge. A voracious reader, Tan Sri Fng recalls going on a shopping spree in Beijing and ending up carting home hundreds of books. “You need to know what people are doing to create wealth and follow their example,” he says.

The habit of continuous learning doesn’t end when the number of zeros in their ledger lengthens.

As I write this, Tan Sri Fng is planning to register for another PhD in human behaviourial science to an impressive roster that includes one DBA, two MBA and a degree in civil engineering.

He explains, “Having a goal without knowledge means you’ll never be successful. An effective boss must reduce his dependency on others and the surest way is through continuous learning.

The only difference between a successful and less successful person is time. When you read, you are tapping into somebody else’s experience and saving

yourself a lot of time and grief.

Whether you find the right path yourself or someone points you in the right direction, it’s still the same path.”

In other words, wealth is the result of a consistent lifestyle of hard work, perseverance, planning and, most of all, self discipline. As for luck, “it’s the last factor of my success,” he says.

I had a fascinating time picking his brains, and I’m positive you’ll come away just as inspired and enlightened as I was.

Alexandra Wong

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CONTENT

COVER STORY 08

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

How an ex-army officer applies military strategies to business and is now transforming society through philanthropy.

Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Dr. Fng Ah Seng, JP Chairman of Yayasan Muhibah Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng and Managing Director of Epic Valley Holdings Sdn. Bhd.

Featured

Feruni Sponsors KL Rat Race 2014

Feruni signs on as Gold Sponsor of the highly- anticipated Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2014 for charity

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Happenings

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Former BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa

Appointed Distinguished Visiting Fellow at NUS Business School

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CONTENT

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FEATURED UTAR-OTH Regensburg ink MoU for two-degree programme Dr Teh Peh Chiong, Head of Programme for the Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) in UTAR Kampar Campus and Prof Dr Rupert Schreiner, academic counsellor from OTH Regensburg

TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION

Changing lives through education

Edmund Edward Chief Executive Officer ALC COllege

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HIGHLIGHTS Interview

SUNWAY EDUCATION GROUP’S Elizabeth Lee Conferred Honorary Doctorate From University Of Nottingham

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Chan Pak Hoe Vincent Ng Kim Sheng Edel Florence Roger Lee Khen Shen Chris Yee Seng Fai Sharmin Aktar Tang Xiao Wei Zoe Chew Cheryl Cheam Shu Yan Irene Chu Hui Ywi

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COVER STORY

Tan Sri attending exhibition in Singapore with his assistants.

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COVER STORY

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE B

illionaires by definition are a rare breed. But even among billionaires Tan Sri Dato Paduka Dr Fng Ah Seng is in a league of his own. He has accomplished a rare trifecta of being one of Malaysia’s youngest Tan Sri, an ex- military officer and a Doctor of Business Administration holder. The founder of Epic Valley Holdings Group – a property developer and a G7 building contractor with 20 subsidiaries – is planning to register for another PhD in human behaviourial science to add to an impressive roster that includes one DBA, two MBA and a degree in civil engineering. His rationale is simple: continuous success is dependent on continuous learning, or as John F. Kennedy once put it, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

Today, in addition to grooming new business leaders through his hugely popular series of motivational seminars, his chief focus is philanthropy through his foundation, Yayasan Muhibah Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng. In an exclusive interview, MBA Postgraduate Edge learns more in depth about Tan Sri Dato Paduka Dr Fng’s visionary business philosophy shaped by his army leadership background and his thoughts on the elements that make effective business leaders.

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COVER STORY

ARMY AND BUSINESS

Q1

In America, 70% of the Fortune 500 CEO are ex military officers.

What makes an ex-army officer a good business leader?

As a good business leader, you must influence everyone around you – your boss, colleagues, your downline, your colleagues. An officer’s job is how to convince someone to sacrifice their life for the nation. A manager or CEO’s job is to influence your downline to be productive. Which is critical and which one is easier? Most people learn leadership through life experience but it may not be complemented by formal leadership training. Without it, we will lack certain ingredients that separate a great leader from an average one. The army gives you both. When you are in a command position, your leadership skills are further tested as you need to build a very effective team to reach your strategic goal together.

Q2

What are the leadership principles from the military that you have applied to lead your current organization?

In the army, we practise the 3M principles: My mission, my man and me. A good leader is always missionoriented. The mission is the common goal set up by your organization so it has to come first. To achieve your mission, you must influence your man. Without good men, you cannot achieve your mission. Sometimes, you may be able to do it alone but you have to double your effort. But if you have a cohesive team where people share common goals and beliefs, you can achieve it with lesser resources and in a shorter time. Being a leader you must master the art of how to motivate people to reach your goal. Once your men are ready and your mission is accomplished, only then should you think about what you get out of it.

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Q3

What’s the key difference between business leadership in the East and West?

In the Western countries, they are more principle-centred.

Whatever they do is based on reasonableness. They are clear cut about right or wrong and have a more systematic management. In the East, business is based more on relationship. In a society that emphasizes relationship, we worry constantly about

what other people think about us. You may be wrong “but”. Or you may be wrong “because”. As a result, your stance becomes unclear. You cannot be persistent in your goal and strategic planning because everytime you do something, you must take into consideration other people’s feelings and opinions.

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Q4

Motivating people is hard to do. What’s the best way to do it?

The first step is to lead by example. Whatever you do, walk the talk. Don’t do things that you yourself won’t do. When you do things right, you will gain other people’s respect, you will influence them and they will follow your footsteps.

To educate your downline is a process of great change.

Transforming a team is a long

Q5

What do you think of the Art of War by Sun Tzu?

My only issue with the book is that it incorporates a lot of deceptive moves. Whatever you do, there is a motive. When you do too much of this, it becomes part of your subconscious.

Sure, you may achieve all your objectives, but you may also end up leading a deceptive life.

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term process. Transformational is different from transactional whereby you doing something for a reward. The action leads to immediate change but it is not sustainable.

to be successful but don’t do the job for them. Give clear instructions. I always teach my people about the 5W and 1H (How). The only ingredient that we don’t have to supply to them is the why. It might be P & C.

Other rules of thumb include being strict when it comes to SOP. Be empathetic but not sympathetic. Help them

Once your men are ready and your mission is accomplished, only then should you think about what you get out of it.

COVER STORY

PERSONAL SUCCESS

Q6

If you could name one ingredient that makes you successful, what would it be?

I keep telling people I don’t know what ingredient makes us successful. But I can tell you the main reason we fail to achieve our goal - we worry too much about other people’s opinions and criticism. So if you want to be successful, the number one rule is to ignore other people’s comments. If you worry too much about what other people say, you’ll always be living in

their frame. That’s why Blue Ocean Strategy doesn’t work for some people. The moment you are out of the frame, people will find a thousand ways to push you back into the frame. When you have a basket of crabs, you don’t have to put a lid on it. You know why? Because a crab that tries to escape, another one will pull it down.

Tan Sri completed one of his bucket list in his life by swimming with the Great white shark in Port Lincoln, Australia in year 2014.

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COVER STORY

Tan Sri Fng’s

9-step

formula for success.

1. Clarify: clarity of your goal 2. Desire: you must have a strong feeling and want to achieve your goal.

3. Belief: you must believe that what you do is right.

4. Knowledge: if you want to achieve a goal, you must have the knowledge and expertise.

5. Commitment: you must commit to your goal.

6. Action: take immediate action when you have a plan. This means having a start and end date, with no open ends. A lot of people who make the resolution to lose weight fail because they have no deadline.

If a goal is not measurable, it will never materialize.

7. Sharing: telling people what your goal is. Let the world be your driving force.

8. Reflection: every week, you must choose a fixed time, get a copy of your goal and reflect on your progress. The more often you do it, the more commitment you have.

9. Readjustment: after reflection, if you find your goal is not according to plan, you must make adjustments to your plan.

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Tan Sri leads a team of assistant for a work exposure tour to the Coliseum in Rome, Italy

Q7

You have formulated an 9-step formula for success (see sidebar).

What is the most common pitfall?

One of the steps that Asians especially miss is Step 7, or telling people what your goal is. What is so magic about this? One, the more you tell people, the more your subconscious mind will pick up. That is the brainwashing process. Repetition will lead to a stronger impression on your subconscious mind. This is selfhelp.

Secondly, when you are telling your friends you want to achieve a goal, they will naturally ask you about the progress. Speaking for myself, that’s how I ended up swimming with the sharks in Port Lincoln this year. It’s scary but I cannot live with my friends’ comments anymore. Everytime they see

me, they ask me if I have done it. The point is, by sharing your goal, you trigger others to be the driving force. Let the whole world be the force that drives you to the success.

Our Asian culture is too humble. We are so afraid to share our goal with other people. We are afraid to create pressure on ourselves.

We are afraid that people accuse us of being boastful.

We are afraid people are jealous of us and do whatever they can to stop us from achieving our goal. We are so afraid that other people who know our goal will set the same goal and worse, do it before we do!

COVER STORY

EMPLOYMENT

Q8

As an employee, what is the number one rule of succeeding in an organization?

In the military we have a saying: Boss say, I believe it, that’s it! You must do what your boss loves. If you work for my company, you draw a salary from my company, so it only makes sense that you do what I love! Let me give you a simple analogy. If I go to a karaoke, I pay for my bill and I sing the songs that I love.

But if I go to a night club, and have to buy a ticket to see you sing, you better sing my song.

To be successful in a company is so easy. Give the boss what he wants and you’ll do good.

Give the boss more than what he wants and you’ll have a great future. The boss says work till 5, you work till 8. The boss drops by and notices you’re still in the office. If this happens the next 20 times, you’ll be promoted. But there is a flip side to this. You’ll be under great pressure from your colleagues because

you’re “spoiling the market”.

Eventually you’ll be suppressed by the pressure and you comply with them, and there goes your future. You end up working until 55 and retire. You’ll never be an outstanding employee in your life again because you sacrificed your success to please your colleagues.

This is the number one reason why people fail in companies.

Most people fail not because they lack the ingredients to be successful. It’s because they have already chosen not to be successful. Being successful is a choice. There’s no secret. The secret is so simple – “Boss say, I believe it, that’s it!”

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COVER STORY

Epic Valley Group Senior Managers and Yayasan Muhibah committee members accompanying Tan Sri in Adelaide, Australia where Tan Sri has been invited as a guest speaker for Australia Institute of Business, Australia and University of Middlesex, England.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Q9

It is said that only three percent of businesses started by managers who came out of employment survive. In your opinion, why is that so?

We are too calculative as employees. You must be prepared to do things beyond and outside your formal scope of work. When I was working for people, I did whatever I was supposed

Q10

up all the experiences that your boss has provided the setting for free. Train yourself to be a boss when you’re under employment. Then when you come out you are ready. Success is ready only for people who are prepared.

Did this principle boost your own career?

When I was working for a Penang boss, I was a project manager for a development and construction company.

Whenever there was a problem with authority I also volunteered to help.

There could be bad elements causing trouble for the project site. He asked will you help me? I said ok let me do 16

to do beyond the call of duty.

By doing so, even though the boss doesn’t appreciate what you’ve done, you build up your experience. When you’re being calculative to your boss, you are depriving yourself of building

it. There were things from other departments. From all this, I learnt eventually I am not an employee that excels in one area only. To be a boss, you must be good in all areas – finance, accounts, budgeting, leadership, sales, construction, technical, human relationships, legal. You must be an all-rounder. You don’t have to be an expert in

every area but you must be good in every area. Once you are calculative, you don’t want to work outside your area. E.g. you are an accountant and you are good at financial planning.

Once you’re out on your own, if you’re not good at project management or authority, you will be led by your subordinates and you will lose your leverage.

Q11

But doesn’t obedience to a boss mean there is no room for initiative, and in turn, wouldn’t that stunt a company’s growth?

That’s where delegation comes in. In military terms, we call it decentralization.

In an army, the general is at the back. How can you control what’s going on at the front? You must have people who follow your full 100% instruction. It doesn’t mean that you have no initiative. As long as you have informed your superior of all initiatives it’s good. Anything that is out of your SOP, you must tell your leader because your initiatives might be damaging.

There is only one area when you don’t have to listen to your boss – during your actual engagement in combat. When you’re fighting, how can you listen to your boss? That’s when we use the octopus principle.

You make decisions according to on the spot demand. For example, if your office is burning, you can’t call your boss to ask if you should carry water to douse the fire. It’s too late! You must take initiative and take the water yourself and extinguish the fire yourself and report. You’re in a life and death situation.

To be successful in a company is so easy.

Give the boss what he wants and you’ll do good. Give the boss more than what he wants and you’ll have a great future.

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COVER STORY

LEADERSHIP

Q12

What are the most important powers to lead an organization effectively?

To rule an organization, you must have three powers: expert power, reference power, positional power.

Being a boss, you have positional power by default.

If you know a lot of highly influential people, you have reference power. In this case, reference power could be your superior or downline. For example, if you don’t know anything about construction in a project site, you have to refer to your subordinate who may have a good relationship with your

Tan Sri conducting charity motivational talk in Ipoh, Perak with Ms. Ceylyn Tay. (Picture1)

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site manager. When you create a situation of dependency, it becomes dangerous because you lose control of running your company. People may become egoistic. Or they may be greedy and suddenly they don’t work as well as they used to. On the other hand, if you have expert power, it’s ok if anybody leaves. You may have a hard time initially but you can pull through. If you don’t have expert power in all areas, your success depends on a lot of people.

COVER STORY

Train yourself to be a boss when you’re under employment.

Then when you come out you are ready.

Success is ready only for people who are prepared.

STARTING A BUSINESS

Q13

What are the four resources to start a business?

1) Money -

3) Experience -

If you are short of finances, you are limited in what you can do. I conducted my first hiring interview in a restaurant because I didn’t have an office.

Whenever you make a decision, you always hesitate because you have limited resources as you cannot afford to make a major mistake.

At the start of your business, you can only afford to pay minimum wages. When you pay peanuts you get monkeys. So you have to be very nice to them and cannot exert your power on them. Experience will give you more power. The most effective power is expert power. People respect you because you are such an expert.

2) Power – when you build up your social status as a credible company and command high respect, your supplier will not doubt your repayment ability and ask you for downpayment. Your employees will feel proud, and your retention is very high. At the decision making level, you can solve a crisis with just one phone call to another decision maker.

4) Knowledge – if you don’t have formal knowledge, you do things by trial and error and from life experience. Sometimes you are doing things efficiently but not effectively. A lot of people start from nothing and become a boss without formal training.

When they reach a reasonable level of success, they should get formal training to complement their experience. Fuse practical experience with formal training.

Whatever is not so good, make adjustments now.

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

Q14

Increasingly, we see a lot of young people without practical business experience who set up businesses. What do you think are their chances of success?

They face a high chance of failing. If you were just coming out with a lot of money to start a business, you are running an experiment. But if you have a lot of experience when you start a business, you are repeating the formula success of others. It’s too costly to run an experiment. It works or it may not work at all.

Tan Sri organized charity talk and sharing his experience to the audients. (Picture1)

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COVER STORY

Tan Sri conducting charity motivational talk in Ipoh, Perak with Ms. Ceylyn Tay. (Picture2)

PHILANTHROPY

Q15

In recent years, you have dedicated a great deal of time and resources to CSR. What is your motivation?

Since 2006 till now I’ve donated more than 20 million for charitable and educational causes. I set up the Yayasan Muhibah Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng, an equal opportunity charitable foundation to help the poor and needy regardless of their race, religion, age, gender, educational background to promote the ideology of national unity.

Besides providing monetary resources and nation-building, I am providing time and energy through sharing of knowledge.

I’ve consistently doing seminars bi-monthly to share about leadership development. I hope to build a whole library of people who can contribute to the nation. I am using tangible

assets to build intangible assets.

Tangible assets are short term.

Intangible are long term. The only bad thing about building intangible assets, is that it takes a lot of time. It takes years, and that’s why people like short cuts.

Through these activities and actions, I believe I am transforming the concept and practice of philanthropy in Malaysia. I don’t even ask for any exemption from the government. The moment you ask for return, it is a business exchange. 100% of proceeds from my company’s profits, the selling of my publications, including my books, and the charity motivational talks goes directly into the foundation.

COVER STORY

Q16

Tan Sri organized charity talk and sharing his experience to the audients. (Picture2&3)

What are your books about?

The first book is about how to be a good and effective leader.

The second one is to dare to live beyond the dreams of other people. I grew up from a poor single-parent family and ended up a billionaire. This is to motivate people. I have a mission. I want to prove that my theory is right: change your mindset, change your world. If we don’t do well, it’s because of our mindset. We never align our brain and subconscious mind, especially Asians. We are guilty of confusing humbleness and hypocrisy.

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COVER STORY

Q17

What is wrong with being humble?

Most of the time, we confuse the meaning of humility. When people praise us for doing a good job, we say no, we’re just lucky. I always cite the example of a lady who spends thousands of ringgit to attend a function. Then when someone compliments her, she says, “This is nothing. The other ladies are more beautiful.” Why are you being a hypocrite? When you say this, you also hurt your confidence. Nobody is asking you to be a braggart. You can accept compliments humbly.

Be honest. Only then can you synchronize your brain and subconscious mind to prepare yourself for success.

Do you know why motivational speakers always ask you to write something and stick it on the wall? Success springs from our subconscious mind. It forms an impression of whatever our five senses discern. Look at the piece of paper every day and let your subconscious mind plan for you in your sleep. Your subconscious mind picks up signals from your perception.

For example when you dress up but you deny, your subconscious mind will pick it up and become very confused. So never say something that you actually don’t want. When you are honest, and do what you believe in, you can synchronize your actions and your mindset.

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But if you have a lot of experience when you start a business, you are repeating the formula success of others. It’s too costly to run an experiment.

It works or it may not work at all.

COVER STORY

EDUCATION AND LEARNING

Q18

You already have a DBA and are about to register for another Doctorate study in human behaviourial science. Why do you keep learning?

A leader must always be more creative and better than the followers. I believe that the moment you stop learning, you are dying. That’s why people say, you are dead at the age of 20 and buried at the age of 70. Having a goal without knowledge means you’ll never be successful. As I said earlier, an effective boss must reduce his dependency on others

and the surest way is through continuous learning. The only difference between a successful and less successful person is time. The least successful you are, the more time you have.

The beggar on the road has no time management. The moment he wakes up, he can wake up anytime he likes. Even when he wakes up early, he has nothing to do.

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COVER STORY

Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong attended the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House with the invitation from the Yayasan Muhibah Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng. (Picture1)

Q19

Which is more important – formal education through books or practical experience from real life?

You need both. It’s a pity our society does not read enough though. They say the Japanese read 7 books in a year. Malaysians read one book in seven years! We must change that. When you read, you are tapping into somebody else’s experience and saving yourself a lot of time and grief.

Whether you find the right path yourself or someone points

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you in the right direction, it’s still the same path. Success comes from a fusion between formal education and practical experience. Realizing this, I am trying to change the company into a learning organization. My company provides 100% free education who are willing to further their studies.

Nobody is asking you to be a braggart.

You can accept compliments humbly. Be honest. Only then can you synchronize your brain and subconscious mind to prepare yourself for success.

COVER STORY

Q20

One of your PhD theses was in leadership management by WorkApplied Learning. You are also one of three advisors in this subject for an Australian tertiary institution. Can you tell us more about WAL?

Traditionally, a great deal of business education has been taught in the classroom. Armed with theories of management, graduates then enter the world of work. It is not always a happy transition. New employees soon find that reality looks rather different to what they had been led to expect, while employers often complain that graduates are ill-equipped for the work in hand. Work-Applied Learning is designed to bridge the gap.

Instead of treating learning and working as separate pursuits, WAL brings them together.

Students are encouraged to study part-time, while holding down jobs in business and management. If you study full time, you don’t have a situation or environment where you can apply your new knowledge. Knowledge without application is useless. I am a classic example. I worked parttime while I attended school and was able to apply what I learned to immediate use.

Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong attended the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House with the invitation from the Yayasan Muhibah Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng. (Picture2)

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COVER STORY

Q21

Lastly, what is your learning philosophy?

Education itself is potential energy. Using it is kinetic energy.

Without kinetic energy, anything that is not moving causes no impact. RM200 million of cash in the bank has no impact if you don’t mobilize your resources. But if you write a cheque for RM5 million to a charity it immediately causes a big impact. Resources without mobilization is impotent; it will not influence anyone or make any change in society.

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INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Chan Pak Hoe What made you want to study an MBA? Occupation: Student

Current University: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

I choose to study an MBA (Building Management) in UTAR because I want to learn more about business management and enhance my knowledge before I embark on my career. An MBA degree can help me move up the ladder to a higher executive position within my future organization. As a graduate, I will find many opportunities in the business world by applying the knowledge I’ve learned in university.

What inspires you?

My family has always played a crucial role in my achievements by supporting me. To me, this was really a key success factor and it inspired me to gain my confidence level to pursue my MBA (Building Management) programme.

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What is your Favourite Quote?

“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

Thomas A. Edison

INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Vincent Ng Kim Sheng What made you want to study an MBA? Occupation: Assistant Manager, R&D and Commercialisation

Current University: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

Brief Job Description: •

•

•

•

Ensure that all IPs generated within R&D are entered into the Company systems.

The provision of advice and guidance on matters relating to Commercialisation within R&D and liaison on commercialisation strategy.

The provision of advice and guidance on matters relating to intellectual property within R&D and liaison with Company IP specialists.

To identify innovative ideas and propose those which have the potential to contribute to the work of the R&D Centre.

While not for everyone, based on my experiences, I believe an MBA can foster entrepreneurship and innovation in people. Learning to use frameworks to solve problems is something I’ve taken with me as an entrepreneur. Case studies help me learn how others have succeeded and help me build confidence in my problem-solving abilities.

Being exposed to students who are learning about different disciplines is a very powerful ingredient for innovation that happens in business school. Breakthrough innovation often happens at the intersection of industries. Outside thinking, perhaps from a related industry, brought into a new context can have a similar impact. A standard approach in one industry might affect real, positive change in another. Earning an MBA provides a number of opportunities to apply new ideas or approaches from different areas to solve problems and drive innovation. Taking a break, having perspective, and giving myself time to think is critical. To come up with big ideas, I need to step away from the day-to-day work. The

academic environment provides the opportunity to think big about solving big problems.

What inspires you?

The pursuit of happiness is the main goal of my life. My happiness is not bound by simply gaining materialistic objects, but also by showing kindness towards humanity. I want to live my life with good characteristics such as honesty, rationality, and faith in God. It is my conviction that I will be able to fulfill my future dreams to become a philanthropist and help many in poverty to get a higher education.

I strongly believe that education is the only means where the disadvantaged could alleviate the pain of their misfortunes. Helping others will be a rewarding experience. This is also the best means of helping society from my perspective.

What is your Favourite Quote?

Learning to understand rather than immediately judge or be judged. Everyday there can be a revelation or new discovery.

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INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Master of Project Management

Edel Florence

Occupation: Project Management Executive at Prima Maju Development Sdn Bhd

Current University: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

Brief Job Descriptions: My responsibility in the organization includes identifying potential land for development, determining the feasibility of a Project and if found viable, to negotiate the purchase of the said property and to further develop it to its maximum potential. Upon obtaining the property, I assist the Managing Director to carry out the development process.

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What do you consider the best take away value from your postgraduate programme?

The Master of Project Management programme works as a link which helps me to apply what is found in books to my day to day job. Also, studying with other students who are business oriented, ambitious and connected helps create a very strong network. We exchange ideas and learn from each other’s mistakes and experience. We come from different industries and backgrounds, but the one thing in common about the job we do is the management of people. By working together, we gain valuable experience in people skills and group dynamics.

What is your advice to prospective postgraduate students to prepare for this programme?

Have an open mind. Despite having years of experience in the industry, there is always something new you can learn

and take away to improve yourself as an individual or the organization you work for. Also, having a balance between work, education and personal life is key.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

To be a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified member and to take on bigger responsibilities in the organization I work for.

What is your motto in life?

Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do.

INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Master of Engineering (Electrical)

Roger Lee Khen Shen

Occupation: M&E Consultant

Current University: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

Brief Job Description: Consultant for building services

What do you consider the best take away value from your postgraduate programme?

Great lecturers with experience and knowledge who are able to provide to students what they need to move forward to the future.

What is your advice to prospective postgraduate students to prepare for this programme?

Be prepared to sacrifice time to cope with the coursework and exams needed to complete the subjects.

What is your motto in life?

Always take life’s challenges with a positive attitude and you will come out gaining something new.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself as partner in the firm.

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FEATURED

UTAR-OTH Regensburg ink MoU for two-degree programme 34

FEATURED

H

istory was recently made for UTAR and Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg, Germany, after both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at UTAR Perak campus on 28 May 2014. MBA Edge Postgraduate speaks to Dr Teh Peh Chiong, Head of Programme for the Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) in UTAR Kampar Campus and Prof Dr Rupert Schreiner, academic counsellor from OTH Regensburg about the ground-breaking new two degree programme that is expected to bring the two universities’ collaboration one notch higher.

What are the events and factors that led to this MoU? Internationalization at universities is increasingly becoming the focus of the strategic development of higher education. OTH and UTAR have had a successful cooperation for more than 3 years. UTAR Bachelor students come to Regensburg to write their bachelor thesis here.

A master programme shall support this exchange and strengthen the cooperation.

The English-language Master of Electrical and Microsystems Engineering starting WS 2014 / 2015 offers the opportunity for mutual exchange of students.

Currently UTAR has been sending their undergraduate electronic engineering students to OTH Regensburg under the student exchange collaboration.

The students go there to do their Final Year Project.

On the postgraduate level, UTAR has started the Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) in 2013, a full-time programme in UTAR Kampar.

This MoU presents the opportunity for the university to extend our collaboration beyond the undergraduate degree.

Our Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) syllabus

and structure complements OTH Regensburg’s Master in Electrical and Microsystems Engineering, a situation that led to this MoU signing. This MoU enables the UTAR Master students, who are enrolled in the Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) to further their studies to OTH Regensburg through credit transfer. They can also obtain the OTH Regensburg Master in Electrical and Microsystems Engineering degree by completing the full duration of 2 years in UTAR and Regensburg.

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FEATURED How do you see this partnership contributing to the higher education sector in both countries?

Malaysia and particularly the working area Penang are of enormous importance for the German semiconductor industry as a production and development location. The two large-scale enterprises based in Regensburg, Infineon and Osram, have operated manufacturing sites successfully in the surroundings of Penang for years. Osram Opto Semiconductors has a location for the production of new LED visual semiconductors.

Infineon has an important location in Kulim which produces semiconductors for the automotive industry and power electronics as well as locations in the backend-area.

The new Master degree programme provides a solid theoretical background as well as 9 months on-the-job training in one of those international partner companies. Graduates from both universities will receive a multitude of choices, regarding the interdisciplinary cooperation and the modular design of the master programme, as well as international experience.

Moreover, even if a student cannot go abroad, they have the possibility to gain from the international experience with the interaction of the exchange students.

The MoU recognizes subject credits earned by students of both institutions to facilitate student exchanges for those enrolled in the UTAR Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) and the OTH Regensburg International Master’s programme. Students enrolled in the UTAR Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) can apply to study in the OTH Regensburg International Master’s programme as an exchange student, subject to fulfilling the credit and admission requirements prior to transfer.

Similarly, students of the OTH Regensburg International Master’s programme can seek to enroll in the UTAR Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) programme, also subject to fulfilling the credit and admission requirements prior to transfer.

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This MoU enables the UTAR Master students, enrolling in the Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) to enhance/further their studies to OTH Regensburg through this credit transfer as well as obtaining the OTH Regensburg

Master in Electrical and Microsystems Engineering degree by completing the full duration of 2 years in UTAR and Regensburg.

We believe this partnership will, in the future, catalyze more such collaborations between universities in Malaysia and Germany, and subsequently enhance the education programmes in Malaysian universities seeking international exposure. The partnership will also lead to future research collaborations between UTAR and OTH Regensburg.

FEATURED This MoU will introduce the inaugural international “two-degree� programme to UTAR students. I believe this is the first of its kind in Malaysia. What are the main areas to study in the syllabus?

Aside from fostering technical expertise in the fields of Electronics, Optoelectronics and Semiconductor technology, the course is designed to build personalities and leadership knowledge and skills. Graduates will be equally proficient in performing technical tasks and leadership roles.

The Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) offers a unique combination of scientific and engineering appeal in Electronic Engineering. It provides candidates with the opportunity to conduct in-depth studies in Electronic Engineering and also equips candidates with the ability to perform professional analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation.

The programme focuses on electronic manufacturing, micro-fabrication, advanced electronic devices and sensors, optics and optoelectronics, communication and networking,

embedded systems and advanced programming for embedded hardware.

The Master in Electrical and Microsystems Engineering offered at the OTH Regensburg is a postgraduate study course by the faculties of Electrical Engineering & Information Technology and Microsystems Engineering.

The interdisciplinary cooperation and the modular design of the master programme provide the students with a multitude of choices of study from optoelectronics, photonics laser materials processing and cybernetics.

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FEATURED How do you expect this two-degree programme to enhance graduates in terms of market competitiveness?

This twin degree programme offers you the opportunity to obtain an accredited European Master degree from OTH Regensburg (Germany) in combination with a Master degree from UTAR Kampar (Malaysia). With this twin degree graduates from both countries have the opportunity to enter the German, European or Malaysian job market. Another interesting option for Malaysian graduates of this international study programme is to work in a Malaysian branch of a German company.

Student enrolled in this programme will have the opportunity to do internship with a company in Germany or Malaysia. This will provide the best training and equip the students with the necessary working experience upon graduating. Moreover, the collaboration between UTAR and OTH Regensburg means the students have the possibility to spend a part of their studies in Malaysia/Germany and gain valuable international working experience through the internship.

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We believe this partnership will, in the future, catalyze more such collaborations between universities in Malaysia and Germany...

Which target students will benefit most from this programme?

Students who are aiming for an executive position in industry or the civil service; students who require interdisciplinary skills for their current profession; and students who want to work in global-operating companies and an international environment.

Candidates from the industry who are keen in continuous learning and upgrading their knowledge in the field of electronic engineering corresponding to the work needs. Fresh graduates who wish to obtain an in-depth study in the field of electronic engineering will have better career prospects in electronic engineering.

FEATURED

One of the most attractive features of this programme is the nine-month practical training in one of OTH’s international partner companies in Germany or Malaysia. Which are the companies involved?

There is an intensive cooperation between OTH, Infineon and Osram locations in Regensburg in the field of applied research.

This also applies to the partner university UTAR, which closely cooperates with Infineon and Osram in Malaysia in the terms of research and development topics. A practical training at the automotive supplier Continental both in Germany or Malaysia would also be possible.

Eventually we can extend to other multinational companies in Malaysia.

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FEATURED

What are the criteria for enrolling?

An excellent first degree in electronics, science or semiconductor technology.

The intention to learn another language, to go abroad for some months and the desire to work in an international environment.

The students need to fulfill the specific requirements of both universities (in Malaysia and in Germany) in order to start with the international master programme.

For Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) programme

A Bachelor’s Degree with Honours and CGPA of 2.50 and above or a Bachelor’s Degree with CGPA of 2.50 and above, in a related field from UTAR; or

A Bachelor’s Degree with Honours and CGPA of 2.00 and above but less than 2.50 or a Bachelor’s Degree with CGPA of 2.00 and above but less than 2.50, in a related field from UTAR and show evidence of at least five (5) years of relevant working or research experience;

Any other academic qualifications equivalent to (a) or (b) from another recognised university

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Student enrolled in this programme will have the opportunity to do internship with a company in Germany or Malaysia.

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FEATURED

Feruni Sponsors KL Rat Race 2014

Feruni signs on as Gold Sponsor of the highlyanticipated Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2014 for charity

or the third consecutive year, Feruni will participate in the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2014 organised by The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd. Currently in its 15th year, the annual race is regarded as a must-attend event for corporate members in Malaysia. This year’s Kuala Lumpur Rat Race, scheduled for 23 September 2014, will once again call upon Corporate Malaysia to do their bit for charity.

As the Gold Sponsor, Feruni, the homegrown industry leader in trendsetting tile solutions, has pledged RM98,000 to the event this year.

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FEATURED Edge Education Foundation’s Promotion of English programme will each receive 25 percent from the total amount raised from this year’s race.

Ngei adds, “The Kuala Lumpur Rat Race is an extremely meaningful cause to Feruni as well as to me personally because we have managed to help 28 beneficiaries from last year’s proceeds. We hope there will be more participants at the race this year so we can do even better to support the beneficiaries.”

“Giving back to society is an integral part of Feruni’s corporate social responsibility and it is embedded within the organisation’s core values,” says Mr C.C. Ngei, Managing Director of Feruni Ceramiche Sdn Bhd, who presented a mock cheque to Mr Ho Kay Tat, Group CEO and Publisher of The Edge. Also present were Mr Roger Ong, Director of Feruni; Ms Au Foong Yee, Managing Director of The Edge; and Ms Dorothy Teoh, CEO of The Edge Education Foundation.

The funds raised from the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race will be distributed via The Edge’s foundation arm, The Edge Education Foundation. Half of the total proceeds will be divided among selected

beneficiaries for education and/or training projects and programmes. Meanwhile, The Edge Education Foundation’s Promotion of Financial Literacy programme and The

About Feruni Established in 2001, Feruni Ceramiche is one of the leading brands in upmarket ceramic and porcelain tiles. Backed by 20 years of experience and extensive knowledge, Feruni provides high-quality tiles from various ISO19001 accredited plants located in Malaysia, China, Italy and Spain.

Feruni carries a wide range of products that provide an endless possibility of design concepts through a variety of materials,

Feruni, represented by five teams, will also don their running shoes for charity at the race that will start and finish at the grounds of MATIC Lanai located on Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. A CEO Race will be held concurrently, with runners comprising the CEO, Managing Director or Chairman of a participating company.

shapes, surfaces, colours and styles.

The Feruni Retail Store in Petaling Jaya as well as six stores across Malaysia are specially built to inspire clients and make their dream projects a reality.

For enquiries, kindly contact: Chuah Wan Sim Manager-Branding, Feruni Ceramiche

016-662 7814

wschuah@feruni.com

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INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Chris Yee Seng Fai

Occupation: Pharmacist

Current University: Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway

Favourite Quotes:

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else” -Albert Einstein

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What made you want to study an MBA?

What do you feel about VUMBA?

To gain a wider scope of understanding of business skills for management and entrepreneurships, which may not be sufficient based on my working experiences alone. I believe these skills will be a good complement to my pharmacy degree and working experiences.

The business environment is constantly evolving with technology enhancement.

The guidance from lecturers of VUMBA in handling these issues makes me feel VUMBA is very relevant to the “ adopt and adapt’ approach in the workplace. VUMBA places heavy emphasis on team work value which I see as a key success factor in project management and even in an organisation.

Recent working experiences in marketing and business development of pharmaceutical company expose me further to the corporate business world but I feel that further pursuance of an MBA is useful to enrich my understanding and gain knowledge of the diversity of business culture of other industry practices. Along my MBA pathway, networking, knowledge sharing and interactions with different people of management levels from different walks of business, industry and culture have broadened my horizon to ‘think out of the box’.

What inspires you?

VUMBA, for giving me a “life challenging and life changing” experience. I discovered that activities organised by VUMBA club for networking purposes after long commitment in the coursework and lectures are exhilarating. Most members are committed and successful in their own right during the MBA yet they played harder and enjoyed the fruits of their labour at the end of the day.

INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Master of Business Administration

Sharmin Aktar

What do you consider the best take-away value from your postgraduate programme?

Occupation: Full-Time Student & Marketing Manager of A.H. Corporation

Brief Job Description: Selecting countries & clients products, market research, work for product promoting, product design & other relevant activities.

I believe that the knowledge I learned and the skills I gained during MBA studies will be an advantage when I will take up a job in a different company or start my own business.

The MBA program is more than a certificate. I get inspired to do something new, something innovative and something creative. I am thinking broadly to do something different, something extra-ordinary which was never done or thought by anyone before. Of course, my previous work experience is necessary to build up the next level of my career. Day by day, the job market is getting more competitive and challenging for the job seekers. An MBA programme has the potential to bring out the best of you and help you to become a successful business leader.

What is your advice to prospective postgraduate students to prepare them for this programme?

In the beginning, it may be difficult for the students without any job experience to get accustomed to the class environment, so self-motivation is important. Have fun - don’t panic.

Enjoy the studies. Keep trying even if you fail in the subject. Don’t be afraid of any subjects. Fear kills willingness.

So don’t give up, the beginning is always the hardest. Keep in mind that, you are not the only one; you are one of the thousands. Even if you fail, don’t stop. Remember that it’s time to break out of your shell & show the world who you really are & what you are really made of. Focus on your aim & go through it even if there is no way, create your own way.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would like to see myself as a successful business woman in my life.

Always remember that your present is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.

What is your motto in life?

My motto in life is to be a successful business woman and to build up my father’s business by using new technologies to show the world “this is my father’s dream and here I go”.

Always end your day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow’s a fresh opportunity to make it better.

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INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Tang Xiao Wei What made you want to study an MBA? Occupation: Benefits Assistance

Current University: Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway

Brief Job Description: I work for IBM Malaysia to manage employees’ local and travel expense claims, provide assistance and support to expense pre-auditors and testers in the Philippines regularly. Besides, I’m the main focal person for employees benefits applications, perform verification of retiree claims, perform monthly payroll advises to payroll team and finalize employees’ attrition.

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By studying an MBA, I can learn new knowledge and improve my problem-solving skills and I can better understand what is requested of my tasks. I also want to network with other people who are from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

What inspires you to improve?

Limitation of knowledge and lack of experience. I found the limitations of my knowledge and experience after I went through internal HR audit in our department. I noted that I am in need of enhancing my skills and knowledge to continue the long journey in my career development.

Favorite Quote

Learning is a never ending process.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Zoe Chew What made you pursue an MBA? Occupation: Senior Client Service Manager, Jump Retail Sdn. Bhd.

Current University: MBA in Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway.

Brief Job Description: Secure new clients from the fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) industry, and subsequently maintain project’s profitability for the company.

There are many reasons why I study an MBA, one of which is to enhance my knowledge and skills in the workplace. A person with non-business background like me will find it very useful as the knowledge gained in the MBA program enables us to grasp the core responsibilities of different departments in the organization, thus it develops one’s managerial skills and enable us to make better decisions. The groupwork assignments have indeed helped me tremendously as it mimicks real working environments where teamwork is emphasized. The learnings are beyond classrooms as I get to network with different experts & professionals of different backgrounds.

I have spoken to many of my clients who are functional department heads of MNC companies and many of them possess MBA qualifications.

Having worked in the company for years, one may wonder when the advancement opportunity may come. In fact, it is not just all about work experiences especially if we

aim at climbing corporate ladder in this competitive environment and workplace. By completing the MBA it is also an indication to the employer that one is able take up a more demanding role. Hence, I truly believe it is a complementing factor in enhancing my career path.

What inspires you?

Apart from family members who inspire me to live meaningfully, I am always surrounded by many successful people as I get to see them almost each day of my work and they make me believe that the desire to succeed has to come from within. I am inspired to work hard towards becoming a greater leader one day in the organization.

Favorite Quote ‘If I had to embrace a definition of success, it would be that success is making the best choices we can, and accepting it’ Sheryl Sandberg.

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INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Cheryl Cheam Shu Yan What made you want to study an MBA? Occupation: Project Executive

Current University: Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway; Victoria University

Brief Job Description: I am currently attached with a Korean company called CnE Global Sdn Bhd. As CnE Headquarters is based in Seoul, the company’s main task is to promote trade between South Korea and Malaysia. CnE Global often organizes trade meetings and exhibitions, and we assist both Korean and Malaysian companies to meet, interact and share propositions about each country’s trends across various industries such as beauty, health, medical, machineries, food & beverage, broadcasting and many more.

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The law of attraction is a very powerful energy in the universe as the more an individual says ‘no’, the attraction becomes stronger.

While I was pursuing my degree, I told my parents that I was not interested to further my studies by studying an MBA. As I started working with the current company, my job required me to conduct a market research report. After several projects involving market research, I decided to sign up for an MBA with VUMBA as I realized the coursework was relevant to my work.

What inspires you?

The inspiration for me would be curiosity and to enhance the current situation to a next level.

By truly experiencing the good and the bad, I will be able to understand what others have gone through and share with the rest.

Favorite Quote

“Whatever you do, make sure there is no regret, only experience gained.”

INTERVIEW

STUDENT INTERVIEW Irene Chu Hui Ywi Why made you want to study an MBA? Occupation: Assistant Manager, Business Planning Analyst

Current University: Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway University

Brief Job Description: High level business planning, forecasting, historical analysis .

I’ve always wanted to improve myself to gain opportunities in career progression and advancement, therefore I chose to pursue my MBA at Sunway University. The MBA will equip me with the soft skills and theoretical business knowledge to improve my business acumen. I am happy as VUMBA’s helpful lecturers are generous with their advice. It also gave me the chance to attend different workshops every month in different skills. I am also able to meet and interact with a network of professionals from different backgrounds. The MBA is also a stepping stone to continue my professional development to achieve FCCA in future. I hope that after graduation, the MBA will open the door to a whole new world of better career prospects.

skills to my best capability so that I can deal with all kinds of challenges and changes in any career environment.

Favorite Quote

Life is short, be kindhearted and have friends rather than enemies in your life.

What inspires you?

Apart from family members, seeing my mother wake up and survive through a lot of tough times has inspired me. I aim to never give up in any situation, continue studying to develop my knowledge and

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HAPPENINGS

Former BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa Appointed Distinguished Visiting Fellow at NUS Business School

M

r Masaaki Shirakawa, former Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ), will be appointed as Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School from 25 August 2014 to 10 September 2014. Mr Shirakawa is also a Special Visitor under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Eminent Visitor Programme.

With a career spanning four decades at the BOJ, Mr Shirakawa brings a wealth of expertise to the School. He will be sharing his insights through various activities, including seminars, talks and dialogues with faculty members, students and the business community. Mr Shirakawa will also be taking part in discussions at the MAS. Mr Shirakawa was the 30th Governor of the BOJ between April 2008 and March 2013. He assumed the position of Governor after a term as professor at the Kyoto University School of Government between July 2006 and March 2008.

From January 2011 to March 2013, Mr Shirakawa was also concurrently Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

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HAPPENINGS

Former BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa

Mr Shirakawa had joined the Bank in 1972 and held several other key positions in monetary policy and financial stability.

“We are deeply honoured to welcome Mr Shirakawa to NUS Business School. Given his experience in guiding monetary policy in the world’s third-largest economy and his distinguished career at the BOJ, we have much to learn

from him. We look forward to his sharing, and I am confident that our school and the business community will benefit immensely from the discussions,” said Professor Bernard Yeung, Dean and Stephen Riady Distinguished Professor, NUS Business School.

Since leaving the BOJ last year, Mr Shirakawa has been Special Professor of International

Politics, Economics and Communication at Aoyama Gakuin University, and is a member of the Group of Thirty (G30). The latter is a private, non-profit, international body composed of senior private and public sector leaders as well as academia that aims to deepen the understanding of international economic and financial issues.

Mr Shirakawa joins Dr Duvvuri Subbarao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, as one of two Distinguished Visiting Fellows at NUS Business School this year.

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HAPPENINGS

SUNWAY EDUCATION GROUP’S

ELIZABETH LEE CONFERRED HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

S

enior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group, Elizabeth Lee Fuh Yen has been conferred an honorary doctorate by the Council and the Senate of University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, for her contributions to education in Malaysia. She received the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from Professor Christine Ennew, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, and Provost and CEO of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, at the graduation ceremony held on 26 August 2014.

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HAPPENINGS Each year the world-class University of Nottingham, ranked in the top 1 per cent of all universities worldwide, bestows honorary degrees to a select few who have achieved outstanding success and distinction in their chosen fields. Dr Elizabeth Lee joins the creator of ibuprofen, the late Professor Steward Adams (OBE), the late H.E. Simon Featherstone, former British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Olympic gold medalist Dr Tim Brabants and current governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, as one of the recipients of the honour.

“We have worked closely with her since the early 1990s. Elizabeth has made an outstanding contribution to the development and internationalisation of private higher education in Malaysia,” said Professor Christine Ennew.

A prominent member of Malaysia’s education industry, Elizabeth serves on various significant committees which are tasked by the Malaysian Government to chart the direction, strategies, and policies for higher education.

Her sterling appointments include the Ministry of Education’s International Promotion Council.

She serves on the Board of Advisors of the Institut Penyelidikan Pendidikan Tinggi Negara (IPPTN) or National Higher Education Research Institute and is a founding member of the Academic Advisory Committee of Monash University Malaysia.

On the corporate front, she is a member on the Board of Management of the Master Builders Association of Malaysia Education Fund and also the Board of Trustees of MERCY Malaysia. In March 2014, she was appointed as a member of the International Academic Advisory Council (IAAC) of Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia.

Prior to the conferment, Elizabeth Lee received the Outstanding Asian Women Community Contribution Award from Malaysia Women’s Career Building Association which was presented by the First Lady of Malaysia, Y A Bhg Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor recognising her contributions.

In her acceptance speech,

“My foray into the education industry was deliberate.

I love to teach and to learn.

I love knowledge.

I believed then and now even more so, in the influence and power of education, to make a real and positive difference in the lives of the people, the community and to our nation.”

Elizabeth said,

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HIGHLIGHTS

“I realised that one does not have to be a world leader to change the world, rather one can be the force to shape leaders of tomorrow from the very classrooms which are intended to nurture such leaders. What we teach our youth today will be the legacy they take with them to the future,” added Elizabeth.

Having helmed the education division of the Sunway Group since 1992, Elizabeth has been instrumental to the development of the Sunway Education Group, growing the Group’s one institution, namely Sunway College then, to a dynamic group of thirteen institutions, including the Sunway University, Monash University Malaysia, Sunway College Kuala Lumpur, Sunway College Johor Bahru, Sunway International School and the Sunway-Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts. These institutions are owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, a unique and firstof-its kind structure in Malaysia in the field of private higher

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education, modelled along the lines of Harvard University in the US. In tandem with the Sunway Education Group’s Founder and Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, AO, and striving towards his vision together, the student numbers soon grew from around 1,000 them to more than 20,000 to-date. Elizabeth currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Sunway Education Group and most of the institutions’ boards within the Group.

As an industry thought leader, her most recent invitations were to speak at the Asia Business Conference at Harvard Business School, University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh. In fact, Elizabeth has just returned from Jogjakarta with the Malaysian team for the Malaysia-Indonesia Dialogue on International Higher Education 2014 prior to receiving her honorary doctorate degree.

HIGHLIGHTS

Edmund Edward Chief Executive Officer ALC COllege

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HIGHLIGHTS

TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION A

nchored on a philosophy of giving more than receiving, ALC has grown into a trusted name among Malaysia’s top colleges offering professional courses in accounting, law and computing. A new chapter began last September when ALC became the education arm for PKT Group Logistics Sdn Bhd, and is now set to make waves in the education industry with The Ship campus in Batu Kawan, Penang. MBA Edge Postgraduate speaks to Mr Edmund Edward on his personal story of founding ALC, his education philosophy and his dreams for the college.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Q1

Mr Edward, you were working in an audit firm.

How did you get started in education?

I came into education by a happy accident. After working in an audit firm for 3 years, I took six months’ break to sit for my final professional exams, Association of International Accountants (similar to ACCA).

When you’re working in the audit firm that long, you usually work daily till the wee hours so it was not long before I started missing the busy lifestyle.

Around this time, a friend invited me to teach part-time in Systematic Klang (now under Segi) and I began teaching professional programmes there.

By the end of the six months, I not only managed to finish my professional exams but I also realized that I had a strong interest in teaching. Perhaps the teaching genes were in me after all- my mother used to be a school teacher!

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In those days, Systematic was unique in Klang because in addition to a commercial division, it ran a private tuition centre for school dropouts.

Some students told me that they had no money to further their education. I told them, that’s an excuse only. When I was a student, I worked part time to put myself through my studies because my dad was already retired. I told them that when you put your mind to it, there’s a way. Moreover, as I had already spent three years in an audit firm, I had real life experience to match the theories. Even though the lessons were in principles of accounting, I told them they could apply what they learned in the classroom to business.

With that, they began to find the subject more interesting and they were motivated to do even better. Years later whenever my old students see me, they will tell me, “Thank you Sir. You were right. I was able to open a business.”

Seeing how education could change a student’s life so profoundly, I realized that I found something that I could earn a living from and was passionate about. I did some soul searching. I realized that compared to my audit life, I was near the peak of my career.

Here, every year I had a new group of students to inspire, hear and handle different stories and problems. When my partner and boss asked me to come back, I told them I’d decided to continue with my new passion.

HIGHLIGHTS

Q2

From being a tuition teacher, what led to you opening your own college?

From there, I started out my own tuition centre with another school teacher. I was doing well in tuition, specializing in management accounting.

Students always called me the

of the shoplot next door. The accounting programme started with 10 students. There was a huge demand for short courses in computer programmes so we had almost 100 students.

“kiam siap” lecturer because that’s the subject where you always talk about cutting cost!

Then, as word got around, people began to identify me as a specialist tutor in accounting subjects. I was sought after by other colleges in Klang as well.

In the second year, the accounting course started to grow. We expanded into the second and third floors of the shoplot and took over the building across the road. Now we have one main campus and three branches, as well as two hostel blocks. Our students have grown from a very humble 100+ to over 800, a fact that speaks for our quality and professionalism.

At that point, the five of us, all lecturers, decided to start a college. The name ALC stands for Accounting, Law and Computing. We began with the ground and first floor

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HIGHLIGHTS

Q3

How did you compete against other bigger and more established colleges?

When we started, people said we were crazy. First, we were opening the college right smack in the middle of the recession.

Second, there are about ten colleges in Klang – big guys like Binary, Sepang Institute of Technology, Systematic, Informatics etc. Everybody’s there. But we were confident we could make it because we had a strong team of lecturers.

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In professional courses, students follow the lecturers.

If you have a good team of lecturers, the learning centre can be anywhere and they will still come. Within the first three years, we touched 500 students, becoming the biggest LCCI centre in the country.

That is something we are very proud of.

Seeing how education could change a student’s life so profoundly, I realized that I found something that I could earn a living from and was passionate about.

HIGHLIGHTS

Q4

That’s impressive. How did you market yourself? Did you spend money on advertising?

We actually used indirect methods of marketing.

Instead of spending money on advertising, we asked ourselves, what can we do with the money that can raise our visibility, yet yield benefits for our target

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group? So we spent our funds on doing CSR for schools.

ALC was unique in building relationships with secondary schools. We used to take the teachers out - not to ALC to promote our courses - but for

activities like team-building, motivational workshops, etc.

This ties in with my personal philosophy. I believe more in giving than hard-selling your product or brand. There are 42 schools in Klang with about 15K students, so you can imagine the far-reaching impact.

That’s a pretty entrepreneurial approach, actually.

Have you always had an entrepreneurial mindset?

I always have a guilty feeling if I do hard-selling. So it’s never been my approach. I prefer to go by a “what can I do for you” approach. For example, my expertise is in accounts - so would you like me to conduct a workshop for your students?

Give rather than receive. I’ve

lived my life all this while based on this principle and I still follow this. We’ve been here for the past 16 years. We’ve been through ups and downs but we’ve survived. If a school asks me for something, I try my best never to say no. Right now,

there are over 30 schools where we sponsor their graduation ceremonies and we don’t ask for anything in return.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Q6

At this stage, would you consider ALC one of the big guys?

I wouldn’t say we’re one of the big guys but we’ve built ALC into a trusted brand, a provider of quality and affordable education.

One, we try our best to match what the big boys can give, such as a proper learning environment, proper teaching methods, and good infrastructure like Smartboard, WiFi, a computerized system.

People now know that when they want quality education for their kids, they can trust in ALC. Two, our location gives us a huge advantage. Ours is a city campus. The bus and train stations and food outlets are all here within easy walking distance. Most of the students are happy studying here because they can have a family life and benefit from a quality education, the best of both worlds.

improve. Over the years, if there’s a good lecturer, I will never let him go. To improve retention rates, we pay our lecturers better than the market rate, even what the big colleges offer.

Thirdly and most importantly, I don’t compromise on the lecturers. Every semester we have a feedback mechanism, where we get the students to fill in a questionnaire. If they say this particular lecturer is not good, we talk to that lecturer to give him the opportunity to

I believe more in giving than hard-selling your product or brand. There are 42 schools in Klang with about 15K students, so you can imagine the far-reaching impact.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Q7

Recently ALC became the education arm of PKT. How did this come about?

The idea of The Ship originated as early as 2006. In the education industry, the trend is for education institutions to get bigger. ALC was managed by me alone and I was worried if it could continue into the foreseeable future, with or without me. The education portion is in place. The system is already there. Around that time, DMT and I used to have long conversations about our dreams. He was telling me about his dreams to grow PKT into a big organization. At the same time, I told him about my own vision for ALC and the challenges I faced. I needed a succession plan. I saw what was happening to all the colleges in Klang. When I started, there were ten of them and most of them have disappeared by now.

Then I asked him why not think about education? When you go big you will need human capital.

And if people know that you are in education, it also becomes a powerful marketing tool for your company. DMT said he’d think about it. For the next two years, he concentrated on his expansion plan so the idea was shelved for the time being. Then in 2010, he revisited the idea and proposed doing a joint venture.

That’s when I saw that ALC can be continued forever, with or without me, and that’s how this came about.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Professor Ian & Edmund Edward, congratulated each other while witnessed by YAB Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang in the signing of collaboration between ALC College a subsidiary of logistics giant PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and the University of Hull, United Kingdom to build The Ship Campus as an academic institute that will incorporate teaching within a working environment.

Q8

How is this new arrangement going to change ALC?

Q9

ALC is 16 years old today – a respectable feat when you consider that many colleges that started even earlier have come and gone.

What’s your personal philosophy in terms of education?

Now that investment is coming in from PKT, I can go back to my dream of focusing on providing quality education. In the past, people asked us why we didn’t grow exponentially like other

I always believe this world is temporary. Live life to the fullest while you are here. You must give back to society. I am very happy I came into education accidentally. The

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colleges. That’s because I was focused on providing the best education possible. Whatever funds I had were ploughed back into the business so that the business could grow organically.

last few years, I’ve managed to give back to society through education. It’s so satisfying when I see happy parents. My next plan is to provide education to more underprivileged

My main focus was not to worry so much about the numbers, but about making sure that our students could get the best out of us.

people or people who don’t have opportunities. I have seen how education can transform a person’s life so much for the better, and that drives me to give my best.

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