City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) welcomed Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah for an exclusive keynote engagement on 20 May. The founder and chairman of Sunway Group, Malaysia, visited the campus and delivered a keynote address titled "From Dongguan Roots to a RMB 130 Billion Empire, The Journey of a Malaysian Chinese Entrepreneur", reflecting on his journey from ancestral roots in Dongguan to building one of Malaysia's leading business groups.

In his speech, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO expressed his gratitude to the Dongguan Municipal People's Government and CityUHK (DG) for the kind invitation and warm hospitality. He highly congratulated CityUHK (DG) as a landmark achievement in Guangdong-Hong Kong scientific and educational cooperation, and the remarkable progress the university has made within just two years of its establishment.

As a third generation Malaysian Chinese of Hakka heritage, whose ancestral home is Fenggang Town, Dongguan, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO said that this visit holds extraordinary significance for him, akin to "returning home". He also acknowledged that although he did not master the Chinese language due to circumstances of his upbringing, he has long been committed to promoting Chinese-language education and culture in Malaysia.

Serving as Chairman of Board of Governors of five public Chinese schools across Malaysia, he has donated substantially to support the establishment, development and expansion of funds to Chinese schools and Chinese associations in Malaysia over the years through Sunway Group and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.

In his speech, drawing on the development journey of Sunway Group, which started with tin mining and quarrying in 1974 and has gradually grown into a leading Southeast Asian conglomerate with a combined market capitalisation of RMB 130 billion, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO recounted with deep emotion the legendary story of his forefathers from Dongguan who travelled to Southeast Asia, took root in Malaysia, built businesses and passed down their legacy from generation to generation.

At the end of his speech, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO shared his personal motto "I aspire to inspire before I expire" and encouraged the young students present to embrace big dreams, stay curious, pursue lifelong learning, and dare to challenge conventional thinking.

In this era of uncertainty, he urged them to stand firm with creativity, sound values and critical thinking, grow into world-leading scientists, entrepreneurs, educators and innovators in the future, and always remember to give back to society and benefit others through their own success.

Following the speech, Professor Lee Chun-Sing, Acting President of CityUHK, Chairperson of the Governing Board of CityUHK (DG), presented a school souvenir to Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO.

This lecture featured the sharing of business insights, the pride of overseas Chinese in the achievements of China, and earnest expectations for the younger generation, drawing continuous applause from the audience of more than 800 staff members and students.