R. Palan

R. Palan
Alma mater
OccupationsSocial entrepreneur, educator, author
SpouseKamatchi Malayandi
Websitepalan.org

R. Palan is a social entrepreneur, educator and author.[1][2][3] He serves as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Cyberjaya.[4][5][6] He is the founding director of SMRT Holdings Berhad and the Cyberjaya Education Group, and the founder of Yayasan Palan (The Palan Foundation), a Malaysian charitable foundation dedicated to education and community development.[7][8][9][10][11]

Early life and education

Palan grew up in Melaka, Malaysia. He received his early education at St. Francis Institution, Melaka, before completing his secondary education at Campion Higher Secondary School in Tamil Nadu, India. He is from the Nagarathar (Nattukottai Chettiar) community, whose ancestral roots are in Tamil Nadu. His father was a rubber planter.

Between 1974 and 1979, Palan studied at the University of Madras, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, followed by a Master's degree in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work from the Madras School of Social Work. He later completed a Master of Science in the Psychology of Work at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, United States, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Education) at Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria.

Career

Palan started his career as a Training and Human Resources Specialist.

In 1989, he founded the SMR (Specialist Management Resources) Group, which was listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad through SMRT Holdings Berhad in 2006. [12][13] The company's principal services were Education, Human Resources Services and HR Technology. The company was listed on the ACE market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.[14]

In 2015, he co-founded Yayasan Palan (The Palan Foundation), a Malaysian non-profit organisation that provides educational scholarships and supports educational and community initiatives.[15] In the same year, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Cyberjaya.[16]

In 2018, following the listing of Cyberjaya Education Group Berhad on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, he became its Group Managing Director.[17][18] The group includes the University of Cyberjaya and colleges in Cyberjaya, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu.

He stepped down from his executive roles in 2022–2023 and continues to serve as Founder Director of both SMRT Holdings Berhad and Cyberjaya Education Group Berhad.

Palan previously served as a member of the Board of the University of Malaya and held positions as Director of UM Holdings Berhad and Chairman of the University Malaya Specialist Centre.[19]

During Malaysia's COVID-19 State of Emergency, he served as an Independent Member of the Special Independent Emergency Committee, which advised and reported to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia).

In 2023, Palan contributed a chapter to Malaysian Indians and Education: Reimagined Development Opportunities, published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Bibliography

  • Malaysian Indians and Education: Reimagined Development Opportunities (chapter contributor, Routledge, 2023)
  • Essential Business Lessons: The Thought Leaders Playbook (2024)
  • Reflections on an Entrepreneur
  • The Global Journey of an Asian
  • Competency Management: a practitioner's guide
  • Tips on Competency Management
  • Performance Management & Measurement: The Asian Context
  • The Magic of Making Training Fun!
  • Tips on Making Training FUN!
  • Tips on High Impact Training
  • Creative Training Tips
  • Frame Jokes for Trainers
  • Frequently asked questions in HRD
  • 101 Questions in Training (Co-authored)
  • Games Trainers Play (Co-authored)
  • Creating Your Own Rainbow
  • Tips on Creating Your Own Rainbow
  • People Development in Sarawak: The Journey of Taib Mahmud[20]

Awards

In 2010, Palan was awarded the Johan Bintang Kenyalang (JBK) by the Governor of Sarawak. In 2011, he received the Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) from the Sultan of Perak, which carries the honorary title Dato'. [21]

In 2016, he was conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, which carries the honorary title Tan Sri.

In 2022, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship Education by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.[22] In the same year, he was recognised as a Distinguished International Alumnus by Federation University Australia.

In 2023, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Madras School of Social Work.

References

  1. ↑ "Minda Global hopes third time's the charm". The Edge Markets. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  2. ↑ Bernama (14 December 2018). "Rafidah Aziz conferred honorary PhD in business administration | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "Tamil students to benefit from free education portal | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ↑ David, Adrian (13 March 2020). "Change mindset, be proactive, Indian youths told | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Guidance Tamil Nadu launches Yaadhum Oorae website". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  6. ↑ "Conclave woos global Tamil diaspora from 40 countries". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "SMRT Holdings | Board of Directors". SMRT Holdings. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  8. ↑ "Senior Management – Minda Global". Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Corporate Citizen". corporatecitizen.in. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "Dr Siti Hasmah terima anugerah Pencapaian Sepanjang Hayat HRD Asia". www.astroawani.com. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  11. ↑ David, Adrian (13 March 2020). "Change mindset, be proactive, Indian youths told | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Dr. R Palan • Author of "The Global Journey of an Asian"". Advantage | ForbesBooks. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  13. ↑ "INDIA EMPIRE". Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "International Business Review | The Captain Speaks | Tan Sri Dr. R. Palan". IBR Asia Group. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Minda Global appoints Leong Tuck Yee as chief financial officer". The Edge Markets. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Minda Global debuts on Bursa in place of Asiamet Education". The Malaysian Reserve. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  17. ↑ "Leadership - Cyberjaya Education Group". cyberjaya.education. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Cyberjaya Education Group Berhad (CYBERE) Leadership & Management Team Analysis". Simply Wall St. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "SICCI-360° : Session 9 : Tan Sri Dato Dr. R. Palan". sicci.in.
  20. ↑ Palan, R.; Sabariah Putit (2010). People development: a leader's journey in the transformation of Sarawak, Taib Mahmud. Kuala Lumpur: SMR HR Group. ISBN 978-967-5223-06-8.
  21. ↑ "CUCMS Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Dr. Palan receives national awards – University of Cyberjaya". Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  22. ↑ "Minister conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Education | University of Cyberjaya". 21 March 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
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