Founder and Chairman

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

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.

Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah receives honorary doctorate of education from University Malaya

A Passion for Education

As an ardent enthusiast for quality education as the driver of socio-economic growth towards fostering peace and prosperity in the country, Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO sets his eyes on democratising education as his legacy. Fulfilling his personal life philosophy to “aspire to inspire before he expires”, he has transferred, in perpetuity, the equity and rights of Sunway Education Group’s (SEG) educational institutions, worth several billion Ringgits, into the JCF.

Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO’s vision to transform SEG into the intellectual and cultural hub of the East has seen JCF establishing academic ties with some of the world’s preeminent universities including University of Cambridge, Harvard University, and University of Oxford.

The appointment of two Jeffrey Cheah Professors at each of these universities and the provision of travel grants aim to facilitate a two-way flow of scholars and researchers between the world-class institutions and the Southeast Asian region.

He is also the mastermind behind the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia (JCI), the first public-policy think tank based in a private university in Malaysia, to conduct and promote joint research and teaching on economies, societies, politics, and cultures in Southeast Asia.

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

  • At the Expo 2020 hosted by Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO shares his vision for quality education and calls for a major transformation of our current education system.

  • Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO 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 Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO assuming the role of a teacher during Teach for Malaysia Week

Jeffrey Cheah Foundation partners with University of Cambridge to set up the first Clinical Research Centre in Southeast Asia

Progressing the Healthcare Landscape

In the healthcare sector, it all began with Sunway Medical Centre. What started as a single tower at Sunway City Kuala Lumpur in 1999 has expanded to five towers, becoming Malaysia’s largest private hospital.

This achievement has been recognised, having received international awards that rank Sunway Medical Centre alongside the established Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok and above Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

Sunway’s healthcare division has already expanded to the Velocity township in Cheras, Kota Damansara, and Singapore, with plans for new centres in Seberang Jaya, mainland Penang, Sunway City Ipoh, and Sunway City Iskandar Puteri in Johor.

The partnerships with renowned educational institutions have led to the establishment of Malaysia’s first private teaching hospital linked with Cambridge University Medical School.

Other prestigious partnerships include one formed among Sunway University, Sunway Medical Centre, and Harvard Medical School that has inspired the development of the annual Southeast Asia Leadership (SEAL) programme. This programme empowers healthcare leaders and frontline clinicians in the region to provide the highest standards of care. More recently, Sunway Medical Centre also partnered with the Royal College of Physicians London to host a centre featuring the world’s most renowned specialists, covering the latest trends and developments in acute and general medicine.

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

Building a Sustainable Future

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 patron of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), serving 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.

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

    1. Hunayn Ibn Ishaq Unity Award

      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

      2020-The first non-Muslim recipient to receive the Hunayn Ibn Ishaq Unity Award alongside

    2. Lifetime Achievement Award

      Received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Sin Chew Education Awards

      2019-Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by Sin Chew Education Awards

    3. Chairman of SDSN Malaysia chapter

      Appointed as Chairman of Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Malaysia chapter

      2019-Appointed Chairman of Sustainable Development Solutions Network Malaysia chapter

    4. Asian Leadership Award

      Conferred the Asian Association of Management Organisations (AAMO) Asian Leadership Award

      2019-Conferred the Asian Association of Management Organisations Asian Leadership Award

    5. Malaysia’s Exemplary Leader of Sustainable Development 2019

      Awarded Editor’s Choice Award for Malaysia’s Exemplary Leader of Sustainable Development 2019 by EdgeProp Malaysia’s Best Managed Property Awards 2019.

      2019-Awarded Editor Choice Award for Malaysia Exemplary Leader of Sustainable Development 2019 by EdgeProp Malaysia Best Managed Property Awards 2019

    6. UK-Malaysia Business Personality Award

      Awarded the UK-Malaysia Business Personality Award at the BMCC Business Excellence Awards 2019

      2019-Awarded the UK-Malaysia Business Personality Award at the BMCC Business Excellence Awards 2019

    7. Lifetime Achievement Award

      Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Fortune Times Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner

      2019-Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Fortune Times Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner

    8. Forbes Asia’s 2019 Heroes of Philanthropy

      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.

      2019-Named Forbes Asia 2019 Heroes of Philanthropy for the third time

    9. MIM Court of Emeritus Fellow

      Conferred Malaysian Institute of Management’s (MIM) Court of Emeritus Fellow

      2018-Conferred Malaysian Institute of Management Court of Emeritus Fellow

    10. Member of the National Productivity Council of Malaysia

      Appointed as member of the National Productivity Council of Malaysia

    11. Member of the MIM Court of Emeritus Fellow

      Appointed as Member of the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) Court of Emeritus Fellow

    12. ASEAN@50 Lifetime Achievement Award

      Awarded the ASEAN@50 Lifetime Achievement Award by ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia

      2017-Awarded the ASEAN50 Lifetime Achievement Award by ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia

    13. Sustainability Icon Award

      Received the inaugural Sustainability Icon Award by RAM

      2017-Awarded the inaugural Sustainability Icon Award by RAM

    14. Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award 2016

      Awarded the Channel NewsAsia Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award 2016.

      2016-Awarded with the Channel NewsAsia Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award 2016

    15. The Dayawati Modi Award for Arts, Culture and Education

      First Malaysian recipient of the Dayawati Modi Award for Arts, Culture and Education. Other recipients include the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa.

    16. Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford

      Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford.

      2016-Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College University of Oxford

    17. MIM Malaysian Leadership Excellence Award

      Conferred Malaysian Institute of Management’s (MIM) Malaysian Leadership Excellence Award.

      2016-Conferred Malaysian Institute of Management Malaysian Leadership Excellence Award

    18. University of Cambridge Guild of Benefactors

      Companion of the University of Cambridge Guild of Benefactors.

      2016-Companion of the Cambridge University Guild of Benefactors

    19. Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors, University of Oxford

      Appointed as Member of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors, University of Oxford.

      2016-Member of the Chancellor Court of Benefactors University of Oxford

    20. Honorary Doctorate of Education

      Conferred Honorary Doctorate of Education by University Malaya.

      2016-Conferred Honorary Doctorate of Education by Universiti Malaya

    21. Victoria University Distinguished Alumni Award

      Recipient of the Victoria University Distinguished Alumni Award.

      2016-Recipient of the Victoria University Distinguished Alumni Award

    22. Honorary Fellow, Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)

      Conferred Honorary Fellow by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).

      2015-Conferred Honorary Fellow by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia

    23. Founding Chair, Malaysian 30% Club

      Appointed Founding Chair for the Malaysian 30% Club.

      2015-Founding Chair for the Malaysian 30 Club

    24. Senior Honorary Life Advisor Award

      Senior Honorary Life Advisor Award by the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).

    25. Best Chief Executive Officer for IR (Mid Cap)

      Best Chief Executive Officer for IR (Mid Cap) by the Malaysian Investor Relations Association.

    26. Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’ by Forbes Asia

      Listed as one of Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’ by Forbes Asia (first listed in 2009).

    27. Lifetime Excellence Achievement Award

      Honoured with the Lifetime Excellence Achievement Award under the Sin Chew Business Excellence Awards 2015.

      2015-Honoured with the Lifetime Excellence Achievement Award under the Sin Chew Business Excellence Awards 2015

    28. Member of Harvard’s COUR – the Committee on University Resources

      Member of Harvard’s COUR – the Committee on University Resources.

    29. Member of Global Advisory Council, Harvard University

      Appointed as Member of Global Advisory Council, Harvard University.

    30. Gonville Fellow Benefactor of Gonville

      Matriculated as a member of Caius, and admitted as a Gonville Fellow Benefactor of Gonville; Caius College, University of Cambridge.

      2014-Matriculated as a member of Caius, and admitted as a Gonville Fellow Benefactor of Gonville Caius College University of Cambridge

    31. Value Creator: Malaysia’s Outstanding CEO

      Value Creator: Malaysia’s Outstanding CEO by The Edge Billion Ringgit Club.

      2014-Value Creator Malaysia Outstanding CEO by The Edge Billion Ringgit Club

    32. Prominent Player Award by CIDB Malaysia

      Awarded Prominent Player Award by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia.

      2014-Prominent Player Award by Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia

    33. President’s Award, Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP)

      President’s Award by Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP).

      2014-President Award by Malaysia Institute of Planners

    34. Council Member of UNSDSN

      Appointed as Council Member of United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN).

      2013-Appointed as Council Member of United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network

    35. Advisor to IDR in the State of Perak, Malaysia

      Appointed Advisor to Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR) in the State of Perak, Malaysia.

    36. Malaysia Outstanding Property Personality Award

      Received the Malaysia Outstanding Property Personality Award by The Edge Malaysia.

      2013-Malaysia Outstanding Property Personality Award by The Edge Malaysia

    37. Honorary Fellowship by the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA)

      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.

    38. Honorary Gold Award

      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.

      2012-Awarded Honorary Gold Award from the Royal Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur in recognition of his leadership and development of education and research in Malaysia

    39. Permanent Honorary President to the Federation of Hakka Associations Malaysia

      Appointed as Permanent Honorary President to the Federation of Hakka Associations Malaysia, in appreciation of his invaluable contributions to the associations.

    40. Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’

      Listed as one of Malaysia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’ by Forbes Asia.

    41. Chancellor of Sunway University Malaysia

      Installed as Chancellor of Sunway University Malaysia by His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor.

      2006-Installed as Chancellor of Sunway University Malaysia by His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor

    42. Outstanding EXCO member contributor

      Named Outstanding EXCO member contributor by FCLP

    43. Paul Harris Fellow Award

      Received the Paul Harris Fellow Award by Rotary Club Malaysia.

    44. Honorary Member of Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce

      First non-Malay Honorary Member of Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce.

    45. Deputy President and Trustee of National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia

      Deputy President and Trustee of National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia.

    46. Founding Trustee of Malaysian Liver Foundation

      Appointed Founding Trustee of Malaysian Liver Foundation.

    47. Council Member of the Financial Reporting Foundation, Malaysia

      Appointed Council Member of the Financial Reporting Foundation, Malaysia.

    48. President of Malaysian Hakka Association

      Appointed President of Malaysian Hakka Association (until 2004).

    49. Dato Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak

      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.

    50. Panglima Setia Mahkota

      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.

    51. Extraordinary People Award

      Presented the Extraordinary People Award by the National Kidney Foundation.

    52. CEO of the Year (Malaysia)

      Named CEO of the Year (Malaysia) by Business Times – American Express.

    53. EXCO member of the Malaysian Tourism Action Council

      EXCO member of the Malaysian Tourism Action Council.

    54. Chairman of Malaysian Industry – Government Group for High Technology for Construction and Housing

      Chairman of Malaysian Industry – Government Group for High Technology for Construction and Housing.

    55. Higher Education Council of Malaysia

      Appointed by the Minister of Education to the Higher Education Council of Malaysia.

    56. Property Man of the Year (Malaysia)

      Named Property Man of the Year (Malaysia) by FIABCI, Malaysia Chapter.

    57. Director of National Productivity Centre, Malaysia

      Appointment as Director of National Productivity Centre, Malaysia.

    58. Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Selangor

      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.