Page 6 - Berita Sunway - Issue 68

EDUCATOR

EXTRAORDINAIRE

HEROES OF SUNWAY
Berita Sunway speaks to Sunway Education Group Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Elizabeth Lee as part of International Women's Day

uch like the hot cups of rose tea she serves to guests Having obtained her Honours degree in Multi-Cultural Education
in her office, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Sunway Education in the UK and read her Master of Philosophy in Education at the
MGroup (SEG) Chief Executive Officer, exudes warmth. University of Cambridge, Elizabeth also serves on the EXCO of the
A self-professed people person, Elizabeth is ever ready with a Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia, of which she was their
smile; her eyes lighting up at the mention of her students, and first female President from 2003 to 2006.
she proudly enthuses about their recent accomplishments at
the SEA Games and the IKA Culinary Olympics. Growing up with a mother who was a teacher and a father who
worked in the publishing industry, Elizabeth said education runs
“
University is not about studies alone! in the family. An avid reader, her earliest childhood memories
involved recreating the classroom environment in her bedroom
It’s more about more wholesome development of with her dolls and teddy bears, and marking books with a red pen.
the person, where students hone their talents Her father was a key influence in her decision to become an
and sharpen their skills. It is so heartening to educator, she said.
see them win in sports, culinary arts, dance and “From a young age, my father would get me to write simple
BERITA SUNWAY | APR—JUN 2020
all kinds of things they do. They are winners for children stories, which he would then print into small black and
competing – not just getting the trophies. It’s white booklets that he would sell to school children for 10 cents
important for them to learn how to compete. at school canteens during recess time. He sold the books cheaply
so that more children could afford to read. His passion was to
That’s how they become better and improve instil the love of reading in children,” she said.
otherwise they become complacent and rest
on their laurels, ” - Dr Elizabeth Lee EDUCATION OF THE FUTURE

Technological advancement may change the traditional role of
Besides spending the past 28 years with SEG, Elizabeth is educators, Elizabeth said. “The school of the future may actually
synonymous with higher education in Malaysia as she is actively be devoid of teachers, as we learn more from peer-to-peer
involved in various education-related capacities. She is a 2nd- knowledge sharing. While the yearning to impart knowledge to
term council member of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency the next generation remains, the traditional role of top-down
Council (MQA) and chairs both the MQA Investment Committee knowledge sharing could become irrelevant,” she said.
as well as Disciplinary Committee. Previously, Elizabeth served
on the board of advisors of the National Higher Education However, Elizabeth is confident that universities will not
Research Institute (IPPTN), the Ministry of Education’s premier disappear. “Teachers are facilitators and knowledge is not
research arm. confined to a textbook alone. Young people are becoming more
aware of what goes on out there in the world and there is a lot
Beyond the education orbit, Elizabeth sits on the Board of more questioning and hence thinking. You cannot look to the
Trustees of MERCY Malaysia, supporting their humanitarian teacher as a ‘know-it-all sage’,” she said.
work, and also shares her leadership experiences as a
mentor for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England With the rising popularity of short courses online and monthly
and Wales (ICAEW) global programme for specially selected subscription models at universities overseas, how is Sunway
female corporate leaders. University keeping abreast with digitalisation?
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05/05/2020 2:58 PM
GBMC-JL-082-20 Berita Sunway Issue 68-FA_2.indd 6
GBMC-JL-082-20 Berita Sunway Issue 68-FA_2.indd 6 05/05/2020 2:58 PM