R. Palan is a social entrepreneur, educator and author. He serves as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Cyberjaya. 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.
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. 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.
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. In the same year, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Cyberjaya.
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. 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.
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
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'.
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. 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
External links Official Website