Chairman, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Malaysian chapter
Council Member, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network
Co-Chair, Mission 4.7
TAN SRI DATO’ SERI SIR DR. JEFFREY CHEAH KBE AO
Founder and Chairman, Sunway Group
Founder and Chancellor, Sunway University
Founder and Trustee, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation
Chairman, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Malaysian chapter
Council Member, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network
Co-Chair, Mission 4.7
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah is a stalwart entrepreneur and philanthropist recognised for his selfless contribution to nation-building and bold commitment to the sustainability agenda.
He established his entrepreneurship credentials by founding Sunway Group, one of Southeast Asia’s leading conglomerates with a combined market capitalisation exceeding RM40 billion* spanning 13 business divisions and a 20,000-strong workforce across more than 50 locations worldwide.
In the realm of philanthropy, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation is the largest-of-its-kind advancing education in Malaysia.
With a mission to make quality education and world-class research affordable and accessible to as many qualified students as possible, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation is on track to award more than RM1 billion in scholarships and grants by 2026.
A Passion for Quality Education
A Passion for Quality Education
Born in Ipoh, in the state of Perak in Malaysia, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah grew up in the small tin-mining town of Pusing, 200 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur, where he witnessed the aftermath of destructive mining activity and the struggles of many families trapped by poverty.
These formative experiences shaped his lifelong conviction that quality education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and misery, and that sustainable development is vital to the nation’s progress and well-being.
It is with this conviction that Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah established the education arm of Sunway Group, with a mission to make quality education affordable and accessible to as many young people as possible.
In addition to founding Sunway International School, Sunway College and Sunway University, he was instrumental in establishing the first foreign branch campus of Australia’s Monash University in Malaysia.
Building on his vision to advance world-class research and facilitate knowledge exchange, he established the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre at the University of Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the largest biotech cluster outside the United States, housing some 400 scientists and researchers from all over the world working on breakthrough solutions and treatments in various medical fields.
By 2026, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation will have awarded more than one billion Ringgit in scholarships and grants
“To be the best, we need to learn from the best and work with the best.”
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Education from University of Malaya
Academic links with University of Oxford to set up Jeffrey Cheah Professorial Fellows
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah assuming the role of a teacher during Teach for Malaysia Week
Advancing Quality Healthcare and Medical Research
Advancing Quality Healthcare and Medical Research
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah envisaged a world-class medical centre as a cornerstone of an integrated township.
In 1999, he turned this vision into reality by establishing Sunway Medical Centre with a single tower in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, laying the foundation for Sunway Healthcare Group to emerge as a leading and integrated healthcare provider in the region today.
On the medical education front, he founded the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School at Sunway University and played a key role in setting up the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Monash University Malaysia, one of the nation’s premier private medical schools.
Beyond the healthcare industry, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah is co-chair of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, establishing a long-term partnership that seeks to improve access to HIV treatment, prevention and healthcare services for underprivileged communities across Malaysia.
Co-Chair of Sustainability Advisory Committee, Malaysian AIDS Foundation
Founded the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School at Sunway University, nurturing future-ready doctors and specialists to address the country’s healthcare needs
Established the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Monash University Malaysia, one of the nation’s premier private medical schools
Jeffrey Cheah Foundation partners with University of Cambridge to set up the first Clinical Research Centre in Southeast Asia
Sunway partners with Harvard Medical School to establish the Harvard Medical School Southeast Asia Leadership Programme (HMS SEAL)
Academic ties with the University of Cambridge allow Sunway Medical Centre to collaborate with Royal Papworth Hospital and Addenbrooke’s Hospital to become Malaysia’s first teaching hospital
A Higher Purpose in Life
A Higher Purpose in Life
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah’s philanthropic mission is rooted in his conviction that quality education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and misery.
This conviction deeply influenced his entrepreneurial career and is a major reason why Sunway Group has fully embraced the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, integrating them into its business strategy and decision-making process.
To date, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has gifted USD 20 million to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN) to advance the Sustainable Development Goals around the world, culminating in the establishment of the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University in 2016 and the UN-SDSN Asia headquarters in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur in 2022.
A significant portion of this gift went towards funding the SDG Academy, the flagship education platform hosted by the UN-SDSN Asia which is now playing a fundamental role in Mission 4.7, a global initiative urging governments worldwide to include a sustainability curriculum from kindergarten to secondary school levels.
For his commitment to education as a force for nation-building and making the world a better place, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah is a four-time honouree in “Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy” list by Forbes Asia, which celebrates individuals who have demonstrated personal commitment to various social causes.
“I aspire to inspire before I expire.”
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah
Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University
A regional hub for research and policy
UN-SDSN Asia Headquarters, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur
One of only three such global centres in the world. Works on continent-wide sustainability solutions for Asia, under the endorsement of the United Nations
Achievements and Accolades
Achievements and Accolades
In 2025, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, in recognition of his services to promoting academic exchange and economic relations between Malaysia and Japan.
In 2024, for his extraordinary achievements and services to education, healthcare and philanthropy, advancing bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia, he was also the first Malaysian to be conferred the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
In the same year, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah was appointed co-patron of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), serving alongside the British High Commissioner to advance bilateral trade relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
In 2023, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah was recognised with the EY ASEAN Entrepreneurial Excellence award for his stalwart leadership and vision in building one of Southeast Asia’s leading conglomerates.
In 2019, he was also awarded UK-Malaysia Personality Award by BMCC for championing ties between both countries through collaborations with the universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Lancaster.
In 2008, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah was appointed by the Prime Minister of Australia an Officer of the Order of Australia – one of the country’s most prestigious and highest recognitions conferred to a non-citizen, in recognition of his contribution in building bilateral relations between the two countries through education.
In 1996, he was conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota Malaysia (Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia) award which carries the title of ‘Tan Sri’, in recognition of his contributions to the country.
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah has also been conferred 12 honorary doctorates from leading universities worldwide.
1993
Doctor of the University
Victoria University, Australia
1994
Doctor of the University
Flinders University, South Australia
1994
Doctor of Education
University of Western Australia
1994
Doctor of Education
Western Michigan University, United States
1995
Doctor of Law
Monash University, Victoria, Australia
1996
Doctor of Law
Leicester University, United Kingdom
1998
Doctor of Education
Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom
2001
Doctor of Business Administration
Greenwich University, United Kingdom
2013
Doctor of Law
Lancaster University, United Kingdom
2016
Doctor of Education
University of Malaya, Malaysia
2020
Doctor of Social Enterprise
University of Cambodia
2021
Doctor of Philosophy
National University of Malaysia
Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy
2009, 2015, 2019, 2021
Honorary Fellow at the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, as well as a member of Harvard University’s Global Advisory Council
First Malaysian conferred the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom
Select Year
ORDER OF THE RISING SUN, GOLD RAYS WITH NECK RIBBON BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2025
Conferred in recognition of his contributions towards promoting academic exchange and improving economic relations between Japan and Malaysia – one of the few Malaysians to be awarded the prestigious Japanese decoration of honour.
VISIONARY LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025
2025
Conferred the Visionary Leader of the Decade Award at the StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards 10th Anniversary Gala Night in recognition of his vision and leadership in elevating Malaysia’s property industry, as well as his enduring commitment to building safe, healthy, well-connected and environmentally-friendly communities through Sunway’s integrated townships and developments.
CO-PATRON OF THE BRITISH MALAYSIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (BMCC)
2024
Appointed co-patron of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), serving alongside the British High Commissioner to advance bilateral trade relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
FELLOW OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES MALAYSIA (ASM)
2023
Appointed as a fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) under the discipline of Science & Technology Development Industry, in recognition of his contribution to nation-building through quality education, world-class healthcare and sustainable development.
KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (KBE) BY HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III
2023
For his contributions to higher education, health services, philanthropy and UK-Malaysia bilateral relations, Cheah was named an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom – the first to conferred by His Majesty on a Malaysian citizen.
PUTRA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
2023
Named Putra Personality of the Year, which recognises his accomplishments in building one of Malaysia’s most iconic brands and lifelong commitment to nation-building through education, healthcare and sustainable development.
CO-CHAIR OF MAF SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2022
Appointed Co-Chair of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Sustainability Advisory Committee to steer the Foundation towards the path of sustainability.
FORBES ASIA’S 2021 HEROES OF PHILANTHROPY
2021
Named Forbes Asia’s 2021 Heroes of Philanthropy, he is the second philanthropist in Asia to be included in this definitive list on four occasions. He was previously recognised in 2019, 2015 and 2009
Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
2021
Conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy for Leadership in Health Education and Sustainability Networks by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
FOUNDING TRUSTEE OF THE RAZAK SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT
2020
A founding trustee of the Razak School of Government, a leadership development institution for the public sector, named after Malaysia’s second prime minister.
MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
2020
Serves as a member of the National Agricultural Advisory Council.
MEMBER OF ECONOMIC ACTION COUNCIL
2020
Named a member of the Economic Action Council which was set up in 2020 and chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Hunayn Ibn Ishaq Unity Award
2020
First non-Muslim recipient to receive the Hunayn Ibn Ishaq Unity Award alongside Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Muhammad at the Islamic Excellence Awards 1441H/2020AD
Lifetime Achievement Award
2019
Received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Sin Chew Education Awards
Chairman of SDSN Malaysia chapter
2019
Appointed as Chairman of Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Malaysia chapter
Asian Leadership Award
2019
Conferred the Asian Association of Management Organisations (AAMO) Asian Leadership Award
Malaysia’s Exemplary Leader of Sustainable Development 2019
2019
Awarded Editor’s Choice Award for Malaysia’s Exemplary Leader of Sustainable Development 2019 by EdgeProp Malaysia’s Best Managed Property Awards 2019.
UK-Malaysia Business Personality Award
2019
Awarded the UK-Malaysia Business Personality Award at the BMCC Business Excellence Awards 2019
Lifetime Achievement Award
2019
Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Fortune Times Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner
Forbes Asia’s 2019 Heroes of Philanthropy
2019
Named Forbes Asia’s 2019 Heroes of Philanthropy for the third time. He is the only Malaysian who has made the definitive list for three years.
MIM Court of Emeritus Fellow
2018
Conferred Malaysian Institute of Management’s (MIM) Court of Emeritus Fellow
Member of the National Productivity Council of Malaysia
2017
Appointed as member of the National Productivity Council of Malaysia
Member of the MIM Court of Emeritus Fellow
2017
Appointed as Member of the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) Court of Emeritus Fellow
ASEAN@50 Lifetime Achievement Award
2017
Awarded the ASEAN@50 Lifetime Achievement Award by ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia
Sustainability Icon Award
2017
Received the inaugural Sustainability Icon Award by RAM
Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award 2016
2016
Awarded the Channel NewsAsia Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award 2016.
The Dayawati Modi Award for Arts, Culture and Education
2016
First Malaysian recipient of the Dayawati Modi Award for Arts, Culture and Education. Other recipients include the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa.
Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford
2016
Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford.
MIM Malaysian Leadership Excellence Award
2016
Conferred Malaysian Institute of Management’s (MIM) Malaysian Leadership Excellence Award.
University of Cambridge Guild of Benefactors
2016
Companion of the University of Cambridge Guild of Benefactors.
Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors, University of Oxford
2016
Appointed as Member of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors, University of Oxford.
Honorary Doctorate of Education
2016
Conferred Honorary Doctorate of Education by University of Malaya.
Victoria University Distinguished Alumni Award
2016
Recipient of the Victoria University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Honorary Fellow, Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
2015
Conferred Honorary Fellow by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).
Founding Chair, Malaysian 30% Club
2015
Appointed Founding Chair for the Malaysian 30% Club.
Senior Honorary Life Advisor Award
2015
Senior Honorary Life Advisor Award by the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).
Best Chief Executive Officer for IR (Mid Cap)
2015
Best Chief Executive Officer for IR (Mid Cap) by the Malaysian Investor Relations Association.
Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’ by Forbes Asia
2015
Listed as one of Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’ by Forbes Asia (first listed in 2009).
Lifetime Excellence Achievement Award
2015
Honoured with the Lifetime Excellence Achievement Award under the Sin Chew Business Excellence Awards 2015.
Member of Harvard’s COUR – the Committee on University Resources
2015
Member of Harvard’s COUR – the Committee on University Resources.
Member of Global Advisory Council, Harvard University
2014
Appointed as Member of Global Advisory Council, Harvard University.
Gonville Fellow Benefactor of Gonville
2014
Matriculated as a member of Caius, and admitted as a Gonville Fellow Benefactor of Gonville; Caius College, University of Cambridge.
Value Creator: Malaysia’s Outstanding CEO
2014
Value Creator: Malaysia’s Outstanding CEO by The Edge Billion Ringgit Club.
Prominent Player Award by CIDB Malaysia
2014
Awarded Prominent Player Award by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia.
President’s Award, Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP)
2014
President’s Award by Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP).
Council Member of UNSDSN
2013
Appointed as Council Member of United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN).
Advisor to IDR in the State of Perak, Malaysia
2013
Appointed Advisor to Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR) in the State of Perak, Malaysia.
Malaysia Outstanding Property Personality Award
2013
Received theMalaysia Outstanding Property Personality Award by The Edge Malaysia.
Honorary Fellowship by the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA)
2012
Conferred Honorary Fellowship by the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA) for his exemplary and overall contribution to the development of science education as well as the advancement of science and technology in Malaysia.
Honorary Gold Award
2012
Received the Honorary Gold Award from the Royal Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur, in recognition of his leadership and development of education and research in Malaysia.
Permanent Honorary President to the Federation of Hakka Associations Malaysia
2012
Appointed as Permanent Honorary President to the Federation of Hakka Associations Malaysia, in appreciation of his invaluable contributions to the associations.
Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’
2009
Listed as one of Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’ by Forbes Asia.
Chancellor of Sunway University Malaysia
2006
Installed as Chancellor of Sunway University Malaysia by His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor.
Paul Harris Fellow Award
2002
Received the Paul Harris Fellow Award by Rotary Club Malaysia.
Honorary Member of Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce
2002
First non-Malay Honorary Member of Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce.
Deputy President and Trustee of National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia
2002
Deputy President and Trustee of National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia.
Founding Trustee of Malaysian Liver Foundation
1999
Appointed Founding Trustee of Malaysian Liver Foundation.
Council Member of the Financial Reporting Foundation, Malaysia
1997
Appointed Council Member of the Financial Reporting Foundation, Malaysia.
President of Malaysian Hakka Association
1997
Appointed President of Malaysian Hakka Association (until 2004).
Dato Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak
1996
Conferred the Dato Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP, carrying the title “Dato Seri”) by Sultan of Perak DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah Muhibbuddin Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah Ghafarullahu-Lah Shah.
Panglima Setia Mahkota
1996
Conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM, carrying the title “Tan Sri”) by DYMM Seri Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agung ke-Sepuluh, Tuanku Ja’afar Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Extraordinary People Award
1996
Presented the Extraordinary People Award by the National Kidney Foundation.
CEO of the Year (Malaysia)
1996
Named CEO of the Year (Malaysia) by Business Times – American Express.
EXCO member of the Malaysian Tourism Action Council
1996
EXCO member of the Malaysian Tourism Action Council.
Chairman of Malaysian Industry – Government Group for High Technology for Construction and Housing
1996
Chairman of Malaysian Industry – Government Group for High Technology for Construction and Housing.
Higher Education Council of Malaysia
1996
Appointed by the Minister of Education to the Higher Education Council of Malaysia.
Property Man of the Year (Malaysia)
1993
Named Property Man of the Year (Malaysia) by FIABCI, Malaysia Chapter.
Director of National Productivity Centre, Malaysia
1990
Appointment as Director of National Productivity Centre, Malaysia.
Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Selangor
1988
Conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Selangor (DPMS carrying the title “Dato”) by the Sultan of Selangor DYMM Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah AlHaj Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah AlHaj.
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