Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah Awarded Global Impact in Education by Victoria University

Sunway College and Victoria University have built a longstanding transnational partnership spanning more than three decades. The collaboration has opened doors for thousands of students to access international education and pursue diverse and rewarding career pathways.

At Victoria University’s October 2026 graduation ceremony at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sir Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group, addressed graduates on the theme of “Leadership, Values and the Pursuit of Higher Purpose,” drawing on his own experiences which led to his lifelong commitment to education and giving back.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sir Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, flanked by Victoria University Chancellor Steve Bracks and Vice-Chancellor Adam Shoemaker.

“I have always maintained that each and every one of us must have a higher purpose in life. For me, that higher calling is to help others build better lives, and a commitment to making a far-reaching impact on society.

“I chose education as the avenue to pursue that mission. The choice of education was based on my formative experience growing up in Pusing, where I witnessed first-hand how poverty shut down opportunities for many of my childhood friends,” he shares in his speech.

Marking a milestone in Victoria University’s history, the anniversary gala at Melbourne Town Hall saw Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah honoured with the Victoria University 110th Anniversary Award for Global Impact in Education for his transformative contributions to education, business and society.

Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah is a proud alumnus of Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, having pursued his accounting and business studies at its predecessor institution, the Footscray Institute of Technology.

His connection with the university has continued over the decades. In 1993, he became the first person in the university’s history to receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa), followed by the Distinguished Alumni Award and Centenary Hoadley Medal in 2016.

“I am deeply honoured, especially to receive this recognition from my own alma mater. Education changed the course of my life, and I have devoted much of my life to ensuring that more young people have the same opportunity. To me, this award is also a recognition of what we can achieve when we make education accessible to all, regardless of their background. Education can indeed do so much good for humanity,” he says.

Today, Victoria University @ Sunway stands as Victoria University’s longest-standing transnational education partnership, spanning 32 years and supporting more than 10,000 graduates in Malaysia as they pursue diverse careers across a wide range of industries.

With its innovative VU Block Model®, global experience opportunities and international education experience closer to home, the partnership continues to empower students to broaden horizons and build futures.

This recognition heralds another chapter in a partnership guided by a shared vision of education and opportunity as Sunway College and Victoria University look towards the years ahead.

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