Tan (second from right) receiving her award from Tuanku Aishah Rohani at the 2023 World Women Economic & Business Summit. With them are (from left) Halimah, Tang and Yeoh.
VOCATIONAL Training College Malaysia (VTAR) Institute chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang has been honoured with the World Woman Excellent Lifetime Achievement Award.
She was conferred this accolade at the 2023 World Women Economic & Business Summit (WWEBS), an initiative by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific.
“It was a surprise to receive this award because I have kept a low profile while serving communities through non-governmental organisation (NGO) work,” she said at the event in Kuala Lumpur.
Tan previously served as Jawi assemblyman in Penang and was also a prison counsellor for 38 years.
“I feel I have a responsibility to serve humanity.
“My current job in the education sector is a totally different field from politics, which saw me struggle a lot with many obstacles and a lot of pressure.
“In education, there is satisfaction in helping youths, single mums and orphans.
“I find my work fulfilling as I can contribute to build lives and give hope,” said Tan.
Her NGO work includes 22 years as the Seberang Prai Selatan Single Mothers Association president and 21 years as the Seberang Prai Selatan Spastic Children’s School president.
Royal guest of honour Negri Sembilan Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud presented Tan with the award.
Also at the event were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, WWEBS 2023 organising committee co-chair Datuk Halimah Mohd Said, organising committee chairman Datuk Dr Jessie Tang and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific president Tan Sri Michael Yeoh.
Following the success of the inaugural World Women Economic & Business Summit last year, this year’s edition aimed to further highlight women’s achievements and gather women leaders in government, business, media, associations, global institutions and NGOs under one roof.
The event with the theme “Advancing Women’s Leadership and Championing Diversity, Inclusion and Equality” was an important opportunity for local and regional women leaders to promote the exchange of best practices and knowledge.
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