EMPATHETIC EDUCATOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

Empowering a whole new generation via education, Professor Dato’ Dr Elizabeth Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group is every inch a lady of classy elegance and substance

Quote: “The best part of being an educator is seeing the students achieve excellence, each in their own way, career and life. It is very fulfiling for me,” – Professor Dato’ Dr Elizabeth Lee

BY YVONNE YOONG

Some take pride in their excessive collection of designer handbags – touting the latest trends and rarity of purchases as well as their ability to cash in on snob appeal. Others are aficionados of the good life, boasting in their collection of exquisite rare jewellery and acquisition of fast cars. And yet others still, delight in finding their way into the spotlight amassing a collection of coveted accolades.

For Professor Dato’ Dr Elizabeth Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group, one of her most coveted possessions besides her three daughters – is the collection of stories of the students who have passed through the corridors of the higher educational institutions which she has served on in the role of educator and achieved success in their respective industries. And indeed, her eyes light up with a twinkle as she prides herself on the achievements of each of her past students.

Having too many to mention though- she hesitates and pauses for a moment before obliging in naming a few of them who came to mind for the purpose of this article.

“You know, you will have those students who are very entrepreneurial… Joel was one of them and he was in Monash. And unbeknownst to many, Tuanku Zara Salim was also one of my students – it’s so wonderful to watch her develop from the serious student in the classroom to become the queen which she now is – (being) so beautiful inside out and intelligent,” she shared.

“Then, there’s Abel Cheah and his wife Jacintha – rising up to their calling to pastor their church with a very big congregation. Each of their attributes and contributions are different which is so wonderful, with another former student who is climbing up in the banking circle.

“They are all doing so well. I would like to think that being enabled, they were inspired to be better versions of themselves,” she enthuses when responding to this topic so close to her heart and life’s calling.

CHOOSING THE BEST PART

“The best part of being an educator is seeing the students achieve excellence, each in their own way, career and life. It is very fulfiling for me. To watch them sometimes struggle at the beginning but with each struggle, they become better and grow in confidence and competence and now I see them bring in their second and third generations,” she shared.

Reflecting on the great impact that the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has had – there have certainly been many heartwarming community stories that have sprung forth which has ensured inclusivity in terms of education opportunities.

Reflecting on her own journey, having joined Sunway Group in 1992 wasn’t a bed of roses all the way.

However, choosing to trust the inspiring leadership of Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah, she continued on this journey of faith. And just like that, 33 solid years have flown by.

I would have not changed anything. When I decided to join Sunway, it was very much a calling,” she affirmed.

Sunway Group’s education division has blossomed and Sunway University today stands tall while being regarded amongst other global universities as their equal. In addition to this, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation inked in perpetuity has seen Tan Sri Sir committing to giving RM100 million per year for the next five years. This pledge is in addition to the RM967 mil in scholarships and grants awarded to the foundation which is on track to scale up to more than RM1 billion by next year.

Her 33 years of service to the group has seen her faithfully contribute to its growth.

ANSWERING HER LIFE’S CALLING

Being an only child to parents who were intellectually inclined, with her late father being a publisher who encouraged her to write little stories into little booklets which he published to encourage little kids to read with, and her late mother being a teacher set the trajectory for the education mantle to be passed down to her.

Recalling feeling lonely as a child when all she had were her dolls and toys, the idea of being a teacher from the beginning appealed immensely to her. She recalls rounding up all her dolls in a row to role play as an “imaginary teacher” to them.

“My late mother probably influenced me to be a teacher but she also dissuaded me by saying it’s a ‘half-day’ job. But my job is so consuming that it has not become a half-day job but a full lifetime job,” she recalled.

Immensely popular amongst the students, even those who might have gotten into trouble with her had immense respect for her. In other words, she is much celebrated and loved among them.

“I am an educator and must do what is expected of me. I may have been dismayed with them at that point in time when they were out of line but I don’t take such matters to heart and happily forget the mishaps once dealt with. I just want them to be better versions of themselves whom they and we can all be proud of,” she shared.

Never wishing attention upon herself or striking to be recognised, it is ironic that a string of awards have chased her all the way, with her recently been named as the nation’s Top 30 Women of Excellence among other awards proving her star power.

In person, she is warm and affectionate. Always elegant with glamorous looks akin to a movie star – she has challenged stereotypes in the looks department besides the way she has implemented policies and her contribution to the betterment of society.

She has remained faithful to her life’s calling – affirming that “the best thing you can be is yourself.

Ironically, the awards have not only followed her throughout her career. But in true fact, they have practically chased her down the corridors of power.

Admitting that her values fall in perfect alignment with Tan Sri Sir when it comes to wanting to add value to society via education as a vehicle towards the betterment of society, like any working relationship, sometimes a difference in opinions can arise.

“I’ve learnt that through the years, sometimes, we may not understand or appreciate the chairman’s ideas at that moment. But because Tan Sri Sir is so visionary and so far sighted – that if we follow in faith – he is usually right,” she elaborated.

WALKING THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF EDUCATION

Her list of credentials is impressive. For one, she served on the Council of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Beyond the education circle, she also sits on the Board of Trustees of MERCY Malaysia in supporting their humanitarian work.

In addition to this, she also shares her leadership experiences as a mentor for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) global programme for specially selected female corporate leaders.

“I studied Education, having obtained my Honours degree in Multi-Cultural Education in London, and later Masters in Psycholinguistics at Cambridge,” she shared.

It was from her time at the University of Cambridge, she also served on the EXCO of the Oxford and Cambridge Soiety of Malaysia, of which she was its first female President from 2003 to 2006.

WHEN YOU START TO WALK ON THE WAY, THE WAY APPEARS

Attributing her role as educator as her life’s divine calling, her strong Christian faith lines up beautifully in her role as educator as she attributes Jesus Christ as the greatest educator of humanity.

“Jesus Christ is my role model. He was the greatest educator and the most effective teacher I’ve come across as he taught in parables. All through the stories, He guides the way,” she affirmed.

When quizzed as to which award has been the most meaningful to her, she attributes it as having her children.

“This award is not so much as you and I know them. But to me, it was to be able to have three daughters who mean the world to me as they are my gifts from God,” she shared.

Expressing hope that the next generation of women would step up and rise up to be the best versions of themselves, in closing, she shared that she would like to be remembered kindly.

“Not necessarily to be remembered as kind, but kindly as in – ‘She was not nice to us as she punished us. But then, she loved us.”

Professor Dr Elizabeth Lee has just returned back from her trip to Lancaster, UK upon receiving her third Honorary Doctorate – this time from Lancaster University, showcasing her global reach and recognition by Universities all over the world, including Cambridge University which made her an Honorary Fellow last April.

@Paparazzi360