• This National Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering future generations by ensuring that access to education and technology is not just a privilege, but a right for all.

• From awarding scholarships to building libraries, Sunway’s initiatives focus on nurturing a future-ready generation to build a brighter Malaysia.

Growing up in the small town of Pusing, Perak, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah witnessed first-hand how poverty had deprived communities of avenues to advancement, particularly in education.  This shaped his ambitions to make quality education accessible to everyone, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Guided by this vision, Sunway is committed to strengthening nation-building efforts in Malaysia by modernising education and preparing youths for the ever-evolving digital landscape.

As we celebrate National Day alongside our 50th anniversary, we reflect on our commitment to developing a holistic and adaptive approach to nurturing a future-ready generation and contributing to Malaysia’s progress and prosperity.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION

Sunway Education Group (SEG) has established Sunway College campuses nationwide including Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Johor and Sarawak. Each provides a wide range of opportunities to obtain well-recognised qualifications, from pre-university programmes to professional certifications as well as diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.

At Sunway, we align our education initiatives with Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)- ensuring exclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Our first endeavour in education was in 1987 – the establishment of Sunway College in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, as a response to the rising public demand for better and more accessible education. Sunway College pioneered the concept of twinning programmes in Malaysia, enabling local students to pursue tertiary education at universities abroad.

Since its inception, JCF has awarded RM745 million worth of scholarships to deserving students nationwide.

In March 2010, we established the not-for-profit Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF), the largest education-focused social enterprise in the country.

To accelerate the nation’s progress to become a regional hub of excellence in education and research, JCF has forged academic ties with top institutions across the world, including University of Cambridge, Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of California, Berkeley and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among others. These partnerships pave the way for important academic and cultural project collaborations, allowing students to gain international exposure without having to leave the country.

UNLOCKING FEARLESS RANGERS

Through Explorer Rangers, young bright minds are given the opportunity to engage in a one-of-a-kind holistic education programme about wildlife and nature conservation.

Curated  by zoologists and educators from Sunway Theme Parks, Explorer Rangers is an outdoor programme aiming to help children as young as five years old unlock their inner ranger by teaching them about wildlife, the environment and sustainability. This comprehensive syllabus helps develop fearless rangers who champion nature conservation.

50 LIBRARIES, ENDLESS IMPACT

In collaboration with our NGO partner, Friends to Mankind (FtoM), we launched Sunway READ (Reading Enhances Aspiration and Drive). In conjunction with our 50th anniversary, we have successfully built and refurbished 50 libraries nationwide by 2024. These libraries now offer much-needed access to reading materials in schools, hospitals, orphanages and care centres,  benefiting communities in need.

VOICING YOUNG TALENTS

This commitment further extends to the Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition, which gives voice to young Malaysians to discuss the world’s current issues. Jointly organised by Sunway Group, the Oxford & Cambridge Society Malaysia, JCF and Sunway University with support from Sunway Super App, this nationwide essay-writing competition for secondary school students challenges participants to demonstrate their critical thinking skills and elevate their English proficiency. With topics ranging from climate change and online learning to future aspirations for the country, the Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition serves as a platform for students to think outside the box.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP

Recognising the socio-economic inequalities in our community, Sunway L.I.N.E. (Learn. Innovate. Nurture. Evolve.) offers technology access and computer literacy training to children in  the B40 communities, ensuring that they are provided with equal opportunities despite their disadvantages.

With no socio-economic or educational background required, 50% of students at 42 Malaysia have no degree and 40% are from the B40 communities.

Addressing the impending surge of the digital economy as our nation progresses, we launched 42 Malaysia, a ground-breaking coding school with a merit-based peer-to-peer learning environment that offers education with zero tuition fees, zero teachers and zero traditional classrooms.

In collaboration with Khazanah Nasional Berhad,  Sunway Education Group (SEG), JCF and more, 42 Malaysia has expanded its presence to Johor and Penang, and plans to set up a campus in Kuching. This initiative is part of 42 Malaysia’s mission to accelerate the development of 10,000 skilled tech talents within the next 10 years.

AN AVENUE FOR YOUTHS

Since 2016, our partnership with SAY has benefitted over 356,000 beneficiaries under various initiatives across four pillars of Entrepreneurship, Sports & Wellness, Arts & Creative and Community Service.

Entrepreneurship is the engine of growth in driving our economy. In collaboration with non-profit organisation Selangor Youth Community (SAY), we provide the venue and subject matter experts as judges for the pitching sessions of SAY’s entrepreneurship initiatives – SAY ASPIRE and SAY LEAD.

SAY ASPIRE is a business expansion programme for export-ready companies to penetrate the overseas market through business development and export strategy with the goal of producing global champions and magnifying social impact. This year marks the fifth edition of SAY ASPIRE, as the next generation of entrepreneurs are braced to pitch their export-ready businesses.

SAY LEAD aims to bridge the gap within the entrepreneurship ecosystem for differently abled entrepreneurs. These individuals develop their talents and potential in business by undergoing courses on entrepreneurial profiling, business model canvases and business planning, ultimately learning how to earn sustainable incomes through their own businesses.

At Sunway, our commitment to nation-building remains steadfast as we continue to nurture a future-ready generation. We recognise that equal and quality education is key to the prosperity and sustainability of Malaysia in an ever-changing world.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary and Malaysia’s National Day, we take pride in our contributions to the nation’s growth and look forward to continuing this journey together.

Selamat Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia!