Education

As Featured on Malaysia SME | Write Right Communications is an Editorial Partner of Malaysia SME

Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan, at 82, carries the kind of wisdom that only decades of trailblazing and relentless curiosity can bring. In a room that feels more like a library than an office, shelves stacked with thousands of books, he shares his thoughts on the Malaysian SME ecosystem with a mix of authority and warmth. Datuk Paul Chan and wife Datin Low Kam Yoke founded HELP University in 1986, a bold move when private higher education was almost unheard of in Malaysia. Their vision? To make world-class education accessible to all Malaysians and international students, bridging the gap between local dreams and global opportunities. Today, with the same visionary spirit, he turns his attention to the challenges and potential of Malaysian SMEs.

By Aileen Anthony

Key Takeaways

• Embrace innovation by challenging conventional thinking and focusing on transformative solutions that redefine industries, ensuring long-term relevance in a rapidly evolving world.
• Transition from founder-led systems to structured processes to professionalise operations, enabling scalability and sustainable growth beyond the founder’s direct involvement.
• Succession plans should be made early to address generational challenges, ensure business continuity by involving the next generation, and reduce dependency on the founder.
• Expand beyond local markets by adopting scalable models like franchising or B2B supply chains, tapping into regional and global opportunities for growth.
• Align business goals with personal values to create a meaningful legacy prioritising sustainability, community impact, and long-term purpose over short-term financial gains.

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• Education
• Leadership
• SMEs

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