Passion in education – Tan Sri Clement Hii

Education is an important element in a person’s growth. This could explain why I find myself drawn to the sector. Taken from my FB posting on 19 August 2016:

14046129_846726978762466_9041449278950004098_n[1] — INFLUENCE OF TEACHERS CAN BE FOR ETERNITY: I recently hosted lunch for Stuart Johnson, principal of The Peninsula School of Melbourne after he signed a partnership agreement to manage an international school my HCK group is building in Setia Alam. The RM200 mil campus can accommodate up to 3000 local and foreign students from year 1 to 12, based on the Australian curriculum. The 1st intake is expected in January 2018, and we would position it as a school that offers tier 1 education at tier 2 fees. Most of the senior teachers and management staff would be expatriates sourced from Australia and UK. Branch campuses for Peninsula are also planned for Ipoh and Johor Bahru. I am not new to starting businesses from scratch (I took over my 1st institution, IBMS, later renamed SEGi, with 6 students. The tertiary Group now has 23,000 students). The biggest challenge would be getting the right educators to man the school. It takes someone special to truly care for the students and who is dedicated to developing their full potential. We can never tell where the influence of a teacher in the lives of the children stops.

Selected followers’ comments:

Andrew Chan: Wise parents invest in their children’s education n it’s far better than leaving $ n properties. With a recognised academic qualification, he/she has built a firm foundation for the future. N of course with an incredible IQ n EQ, the child’s future is indeed bright as the Summer sun !

Susan Ritchie: Tan Sri, Sarawak is in dire need of good English medium schools. Will you, as a Sarawakian, be looking into investing in such schools in this state next?? Please do. I understand the market’s there but there really are enough International schools in the Klang valley…

Zainab Zir: Tan Sri to find the right educators who is dedicated to develop the potential of students are from the person who love to be educators but it takes experience to be the best.They have to be positive in thinking and the willingness to adapt to fast changes in education.And the most important trait they must have is to love children and to understand tbem.It is easy to find this people they are many of them even in Malaysia.

My other FB postings between 15 Aug 2016 and 21 Aug 2016:

15 Aug 2016

13882245_843886292379868_5800434027243755401_n[1] — WE CAN’T JUST CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY: How often have we been advised to take life easy, and be happy? Friends and associates have been advising me to slow down and “relax more.” On social media, you will find nature and outdoor images posted by people who also give quotes advising everyone to enjoy the little things in life. The truth is, we can’t be happy by just choosing to be happy. Our brains don’t work that way. I’ve realised that there’s a lot that goes into determining whether a person is happy or not. Oftentimes, much of it is out of our control. Living a fulfilling and happy life means establishing healthy habits and working hard on things we’re passionate about. These can’t be established overnight. But a good start would be to overcome the negative circumstances that occasionally crop up, smile more often and stay mentally calm and positive. You won’t live a happy life just because some dude posing in front of some mountains reminded you to stop and smell the roses.

Selected followers’ comments:

Ong Phaik Kim: Happy or not happy still have to pass the day. So might as well chose to be happy

Happiness is a state of mind. Your choice.

I chose to have a peace of mind. And happy to do what I want.

If not happy? I just pack my bag and leave! I have been doing that since age 8 till now! I will go back to my humble abode and enjoy my own space and company!

Kick all toxic people out!

Never expect anything in return than less chance of disappointment. More chance to be happy and contented.

Tam Fc: yes, Tan Sri, the inner self must be happy 1st, the outer self is just for display, in order for the inner self to be happy, the secret is to disengage any attachment to materials world, your inner self do not need any external item to be happy, your inner self is quite happy being the inner self, once you realise this , you achieved internal happiness that is rock solid, with this strength you can use it to overcome any external negative condition that might occur,

Jerrie Yeap CH: “Authentic happiness can only come from the long term cultivation of wisdom, altruism, and compassion, and from the complete eradiction of mental toxins, such as hatred, grasping and ignorance.” – Matthieu Ricard.

16 Aug 2016

13912898_845934425508388_7903029318519863089_n[1] — IT’S EQ, NOT IQ, THAT WINS YOU THE RAT RACE: Many of my friends and employees have high intelligence, as shown by their ability to think fast and reason well. What some lack, I feel, is sufficient emotional quotient. EQ is actually more important for an individual to do well at work or in business, as it’s needed to express the right feelings, evaluate and control situations. In the rat race, we need to communicate and navigate well within our organisations, business and social networks. It’s rather unfortunate that there’re very intelligent people I know who’ve low EQ, and this affects their work and lives. Unlike IQ, the art of EQ can be learnt, for us to better face our daily tasks and challenges. I’m not surprised many people with high IQ end up working for those with lower IQ but higher EQ scores. A few associates with the “deadly” combination of high IQ and very low EQ would constantly make people around and under them feel worthless. They can do that so well, I sometimes think they deserve a smart-alec award.

Selected followers’ comments:

Christopher Tan: These smartasses are all over the place. In my office too. I have often wondered why they behaved so superior and so inconsiderately. But I know, thanks to you, that they have low EQ! I will suggest they go for an EQ training course the next time they get smart with me or try to run anyone down!

Shenna Dot: I think my boss has high EQ and my bf has high IQ! Thanks for making me realise what it is that they have.

Neoh Ai Leen: Agree Tan Sri. In our daily life, EQ is very important as we need to be tactful when dealing with people of different characters. One may have all the knowledge but to get the message across and gain acceptance is equally important. When management is grilled by the Board, the one who has a good combination of EQ and IQ would get away with it coolly. 🙂

17 Aug 2016

Selected followers’ comments:

Jerrie Yeap CH: I once saw a picture of TS with Clifford Hii. I say “Hey that’s lovely brothers!”. And then….gosh!

Maria Williams: Agree with you. The joy within you bubbles up, and our internal fountain of youth keeps us young at heart. The wisdom gained on this journey of life is something I’m grateful for. It’s not the age which is important. It’s our compassion and empathy for mankind which is guiding force in life.

Rodjeanall Tinjan: Since we all has been assigned to be in this planet for about 120 years the most, but many many only able to reached 45, 50, 60 and 70 if we can go beyond 70 that is awesome bonus to the individual. Those who do not learn the wisdom of mistakes and do not understand this life challenges, were hoping how wonderful if their body is forever young. But for those who really take this life as a gift and learn as much as possible to improve the wisdom of living, the responsibility of having a family unit in understanding the wisdom in every problem we face will makes us appreciate our ageing process. For me I am very particular in the holistic health of the body, look younger or look older it doesn’t matter. But are we healthy? Healthy is the key of life. I came across that, it is not everyone were blessed with good looking young, but taking care of our individual health is in our own hand. For, Mr Clement Hii it is a blessing that you look younger of 20 years from your real age, I just want to know the secret behind it, if you don’t mine.

18 Aug 2016

13901529_846110102157487_1299056636427608441_n[1] — THE BEST WAY TO WIN AN ARGUMENT: There’re occasions when we could be dragged into an argument, no matter how restrained we have tried to be. Sometimes, exchanges of words could develop into insults, usually employed by those clearly in the wrong. I’ll never argue with someone holding a mike while I don’t, and I’ll ensure there’s always an “escape clause” for my opponent, so that he could swing over to my side without much embarrassment. In my organisation, there’re times when I need to play the peacemaker when dominant individuals start to be vocal about their different opinions. We should realise both parties in a heated argument would feel they’ve been wronged in some ways. When temper flares up, it makes sense for each party to step back and allow some time to pass. With time, everyone affected will likely gain a new perspective. The best weapon I use when people want to go into verbal warfare with me is silence. It’s a difficult argument for them to refute.

Selected followers’ comments:

Jacqueline Tan: The best way to win an argument with a woman is….. actually, there’s none!

Teh Lawrence: Have attended meetings where from the word go the person argues that his way is the only way. Any different view is dissent and the only way is the highway.
It’s ok to argue reasonably but when it gets nonsensical and it’s swaying away from facts of the matter it’s time to take a break. No point. The head has stopped thinking. Live another day to talk over it.

Jasmadi Omar: Try the best to reduce headache by prevention for the argument to happen,but if no choice,response to the situation,NOT REACTION.

20 Aug 2016

13912855_846758168759347_5717379907287446674_n[1] — YOU JUMP, I JUMP: At work, I consider myself a creative person, as I’m always prepared to try everything until I find a niche. But I admit I still have a slight aversion to trying new food, preferring to eat what I already know I like. Trying new things often requires courage. It’s like jumping and not knowing how and where you would land. Straying into new areas or taking up new activities has its inherent risks. Just like trying out a new restaurant – what if we don’t enjoy the new foods and cooking? It seems most people fear an unknown outcome more than a known bad one. But I’ve realised that trying something new would force us to grow. We’ll never grow if we resist getting into new challenges and varying our routines. Thrusting ourselves into new situations often forces us to make positive changes to our attitude and thinking. The world out there is not as dangerous as it’s made out to be. Trying new things could lead to the discovery of something we really love doing, and that might change our entire careers and life paths.

Selected followers’ comments:

Leong Eddie: This is what we always want to try out new thing and then will be able to understand fully when u reach there. our life is short we can just continue to live a monochrome life till u die. I divorced when all my children have grown up and married a new wife. u can feel the change in our life and how the children re-act and what the rest of your life in the coming years. These experiences and feeling no words can describe. Is this what we want to the try?
Anyway u will find the challenge worth taking..haha..

Tay Cheow Hwang:
YOU JUMP, I JUMP

Circumstances are changing,
New things are emerging,
Old things may not be relevant,
Withholding isn’t certain;

Circumferences are ranging,
New boundary are setting,
Old scenery may be missing,
Withdrawing isn’t uncertain;

New changes with new paradigms,
Trying is to understand,
Similarities and disparities,
Which is differing in reality;

New ranges with new ideas,
Doing is to comprehend,
Certainty and ambiguity,
Which is sharing in mentality;

Yes….

We’re living in presence,
Existence doesn’t guarantee forever,
At time our courage is absent,
Trying new things is unconventional;

We’re living in fashion,
Persistence doesn’t mean loyalty,
At time our confidence is of erosion,
Jumping into new area isn’t comfortable;

Without trying,
We’re doing injustice to ourselves,
Our mindset is prisoned,
In our perceived comfort zones;

Without trying,
We aren’t changing better for ourselves,
Our success is reasoned,
In our only conceived fair zone;

You jump and only I jump,
Two minuses don’t make a sum,
We’re wisdom to judge,
With right dimension and fashion;

Let’s have passion,
Trying is exploring,
We can only know better,
If trials are promising!

21 Aug 2016

13962570_848756801892817_1448686611882008941_n[1] — YOU JUMP, I JUMP: At work, I consider myself a creative person, as I’m always prepared to try everything until I find a niche. But I admit I still have a slight aversion to trying new food, preferring to eat what I already know I like. Trying new things often requires courage. It’s like jumping and not knowing how and where you would land. Straying into new areas or taking up new activities has its inherent risks. Just like trying out a new restaurant – what if we don’t enjoy the new foods and cooking? It seems most people fear an unknown outcome more than a known bad one. But I’ve realised that trying something new would force us to grow. We’ll never grow if we resist getting into new challenges and varying our routines. Thrusting ourselves into new situations often forces us to make positive changes to our attitude and thinking. The world out there is not as dangerous as it’s made out to be. Trying new things could lead to the discovery of something we really love doing, and that might change our entire careers and life paths.

Selected followers’ comments:

Raveendran Subramaniam: Fully agreed Tan Sri. It worries me deep down to my stomach too. Cleanliness of eateries in MY has much to be desired. Trust me i have seen flies even in KFC, Pizza Hut etc. What more road side hawker stalls. Can we ever reach the cleanliness standards of stalls in SQ? I doubt cause the enforcement here is obviously on the ….. Just cari makan bah; no pun intended there. And what better place to cari makan then at an eatery.

Mark Young: A dining experience is much more than the food we eat at an eating establishment. It is the whole visual, olfactory, taste, service and overall experience that determines whether we enjoy ourselves. We cannot enjoy ourselves at a fine dining restaurant if the food is terrible or the service is snobbish even if the ambience is fantastic. Neither can we if we eat at an establishment with great food but the place is tainted by nasty odours emanating from a nearby toilet. Or eating in a restaurant with rude service. I am at my happiest when I dine at an establishment which serves honest, delicious, unsophisticated food with a quiet, humble ambience and a clean environment… a priceless experience !

Andrew Chan: Yes, the best food r found in the hawker stalls n coffee shops. Somehow the laksa, kolomee, kampua, bah kut teh n satay taste better than those expensive food served in expensive restaurants. Always rushed to these coffee shops after a week or so holidays eating in restaurants ! Top on the list is our S’wak coffee. One will appreciate the cheap n good food sold locally compared to the exorbitantly priced food overseas. A family of three ordering 3 bowls of ho fan, 3 cups of black creamy coffee cost only RM 23 whereas one plate of rice served with a few pieces of chicken plus a scoop of vegi plus a cup of cordial drink in Sydney cost A$ 10.50 aka RM 30 plus !