Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO has been named to the Forbes Asia Heroes of Philanthropy list for the fifth time, becoming the first individual in Asia to receive the recognition on five separate occasions.
The latest inclusion by the U.S.-based business publication recognises Cheah’s lifelong commitment to nation-building through quality education and philanthropy. He was previously honoured as a Forbes Asia Hero of Philanthropy in 2009, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
A higher purpose rooted in education
Cheah, who is also the founder and trustee of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, said his philanthropic journey is driven by a sense of higher purpose.
I have always believed that each and every one of us must have a higher purpose in life. For me, this higher calling is a commitment to giving back to society in a meaningful and impactful manner for the benefit and wellbeing of our future generations,” he said.
He added that those who have succeeded financially have a responsibility to support education, noting that quality education forms the foundation for shaping a nation’s future.
Nearly RM1 Billion channelled into education
To date, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has awarded more than RM967 million in scholarships and grants to tens of thousands of students, many from underprivileged backgrounds. The foundation is on track to surpass RM1 billion in total contributions by 2026.
In November 2025, Cheah pledged RM500 million over five years to establish one of Malaysia’s largest education endowments at Sunway University, aimed at advancing academic excellence, research and innovation.
This structured, mission-driven approach mirrors endowment models at leading global institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Cambridge.
Supporting public schools and medical research
The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has also contributed more than RM57 million towards the construction and expansion of 10 public schools nationwide, and endowed RM5 million to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to establish the Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Chair at the Faculty of Medicine, supporting research in medicine and public health.
Operating as a social enterprise, the foundation governs all entities under the Sunway Education Group on a not-for-profit basis, making it the largest education-focused foundation of its kind in Malaysia.
Driving sustainability on a global scale
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the foundation has pledged an additional US$5 million to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, on top of US$20 million previously contributed. Headquartered at Sunway University, UN-SDSN Asia is one of only three global centres worldwide.
Reflecting this sustainability focus, Sunway University climbed to 81st in the 2025 Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, up from the 201–300 band previously.
