Jeffrey Cheah - Sunway University

Sunway University

Sunway University was established by Cheah in 1986 with the mission of providing more and better education opportunities to youths. By 1997, the College has become very viable and profitable business. It was at this juncture that Cheah took the decision to transfer all his personal shares and ownership of the College into the newly established Sunway Education Trust Fund. By doing so, he has ensured that all profits derived from Sunway University College, which is fully owned by the Trust, and its share of profits from the jointly owned co-venture in Monash University Malaysia, are ploughed back into the upgrading of facilities and human resources.

The Trust also presents deserving students with scholarships worth millions annually. To date, more than RM80 million worth of scholarships have been disbursed. In 2007, the School of Medicine was named after him.

Cheah was voted ‘Property Man of the Year (Malaysia)’ in 1993 and ‘CEO of the Year (Malaysia)’ in 1996. And most recently, in 2005, he received ‘Asia’s Most Innovative Chinese Entrepreneur Award.’

Honorary doctorates from leading universities:

Doctor of the University from: 1. Flinders University, South Australia (1994) 2. Victoria University, Australia (1993)

Doctorates of Law from 3. Leicester University, United Kingdom (1996) 4. Monash University, Australia (1995)

Doctorates of Education from: 5. University of Western Australia (1994) 6. West Michigan University, USA (1994) 7. Oxford Brooks University, United Kingdom (1998)

Doctorate of Business Administration from: 8. Greenwich University, United Kingdom (2001)

Distinguished Appointments 1. Chairman, Malaysian Industry- Government High Technology for Construction and Housing (MIGHT) – Appointment by Prime Minister (1995) 2. Director, National Productivity Centre - Appointment by Minister of Trade (1990) 3. Council Member, Higher Education Council of Malaysia – Appointment by Minister of Education (1996). 4. Executive Council Member, Malaysian Tourism Action Council – Appointment by Minister of Tourism (1996). 5. Council Member, Financial Reporting Foundation – Appointment by Minister of Finance (1997)

Social and Welfare Organizations 1. Vice President, National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (2002) 2. Honorary Chairman, Sin Chew Foundation (2000) 3. Founding Trustee, Malaysian Liver Foundation (1999) 4. President, Malaysian Hakka Association (1997) 5. Honorary Member, Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce (2002) 6. Chairman & co-founder of Asian Strategy And Leadership Institute (ASLI)

Awards 1. Paul Harris Fellow Award 2. Fellow Australian Society of Certificate Practising Accountants 3. Fellow of Institute of Directors 4. CEO of the Year Award 5. Property Man of The Year (FIABCI, Malaysian Chapter)

Royal Conferments

• Conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Selangor (DPMS, carrying the title of “Dato’”) by DYMM Sultan Selangor Darul Ehsan, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Al Haj on 8 March 1988.
• In 1995, made Justice of the Peace (JP) by DYMM Sultan Terengganu Darul Iman, Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Al-Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah.
• Conferred the Dato’ Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP, carrying the title of “Dato’ Seri”) by DYMM Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Azlan Shah Muhibbuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah Ghafarullahu-Lah Shah in April 1996.
• Sunway students are proud of him.
• Conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM, carrying the title of “Tan Sri”) by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agung ke-Sepuluh, Tuanku Ja’afar Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman on 1 June 1996.