Reported by:
New Zhi Xuan Sr2ScE
Photography by:
Kuen Cheng Photo Album
On the warm Saturday morning of 16th August 2025, a small group of students of Kuen Cheng High School had a wonderful heart-to-heart conversation with Tan Sri William Cheng Heng Jem, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and Datuk Tang Whye Aun, Board Director. Key insights on leadership and education have been shared.
(Photo 1: Tan Sri William Cheng, Chairman of Kuen Cheng High School giving advice on learning and making decisions. Sitting at his left is Datuk Tang Whye Aun, Board Director and right, Madam Chua Lee Lee, Principal)
In the cosy setting of Azman Hashim Library, located on the A Block of Kuen Cheng High School, Datuk Tang initiated a pre-dialogue with the students, expressing his views and encouraging them to study diligently while maintaining humility in their learning. With a warm welcome and kind gestures, Tan Sri William Cheng started his day by engaging in conversation with the students. He interacted warmly with the students, addressing their innovative questions with candour and insight. In his initial discussion, Tan Sri William Cheng advised students to take into account their abilities and interests when selecting their future study paths. He listed out several pros and cons of studying in a different country, emphasising that students should choose the best aligns with their specific requirements when making decisions.
Moving deeper into conversation, Tan Sri William Cheng shared the setbacks and challenges he faced when he started his journey in entrepreneurship, including the national policies that limited the number of Chinese entrepreneurs, making it difficult for the ethnic Chinese community to pursue a career in the finance industry. He also discussed the challenges he encountered while building his company, stemming from a lack of technology support and limited resources in Malaysia then.
Upon request, Tan Sri William Cheng also willingly shared how he manages his company with a strong team of employees. He gladly states that he owns a result-oriented company, which gives employees freedom to decide how they want to get things done, and rewards employees for their outstanding achievements; this has provided a unique perspective to students. He stressed that he prioritises a comprehensive development plan and on the needs of his company when recruiting talent to his team. ‘Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared,’ the Chairman continued to share with the students. He firmly advised students to cultivate good habits from a young age if they want to achieve great accomplishments.
When Tan Sri William Cheng was asked about his commitment to Chinese education, he said, “I genuinely want to share the rich heritage of the Chinese community with the next generation and help nurture diverse talents.”
All students were warmly invited to lunch with the Chairman following his engaging talk, along with Datuk Tang, Madam Principal, and Madam Koo Lai Ping, the Vice Principal. This gathering celebrated a successful day filled with meaningful connections and valuable insights.
We are all truly grateful for the opportunity to meet with our Chairman in person. His encouragement of open dialogue regarding leadership, community values, and the significance of support and understanding in education is both impressive and enlightening. Thank you once again, Mr. Chairman.
