“The future will always be defined by people who have the tenacity to succeed no matter what the odds may be and reach beyond the ordinary. They achieve extraordinary success, and in doing so they transform countries.”
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Limkokwing
A Living Legend Driving transformation to bridge the innovation gap between nations
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Limkokwing is a Malaysian artist, designer, author, entrepreneur, educationist and philanthropist who is officially recognised by the Malaysian government as the Father of Innovation in Creative Education. He is the Founder and President of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology – The World’s Most Global University.
Tan Sri Limkokwing is best known for bringing about much-needed change to Malaysia’s antiquated, post-colonial education system – and in the process, revolutionising the very concept of tertiary education on a global scale.
Through his Foundation and University campuses across Asia, Africa and Europe, tens of thousands of individuals from over 165 countries and territories have had the privilege to be exposed to a unique form of industry-driven education that places emphasis on creativity and innovation.
As one of Asia’s most renowned creative maestros, he has also been sought after over the past five decades to contribute towards nation-building in both his native Malaysia and overseas.
Today, Tan Sri Limkokwing continues to assist governments, organizations and corporations across the globe whenever he is called upon to share his invaluable insight and inimitable expertise – particularly in the field of branding, design and communications.
Asia’s renowned Creative maestro & Communication Guru
Tan Sri Limkokwing followed his passion despite the lack of support from his parents; to the point where he was requested to conduct classes at his school when the art teacher was absent. Soon he had a small business going on the side as he tutored his classmates.
Tan Sri Limkokwing’s first job was as an illustrator, designing covers for books. Eventually, he approached the Eastern Sun newspaper with comic strips he had been working on, with hopes of serialising it.
The newspaper agreed and Tan Sri Limkokwing achieved his first major milestone when his comic strip – ABU – became Malaysia’s and Singapore’s first local serialised comic strip.
He continued to work with Eastern Sun for two years until the paper folded, pushing Tan Sri Limkokwing towards bigger things.
In 1970, Tan Sri Limkokwing joined McCann-Erickson. He quickly rose among the ranks to become the regional creative director at this global advertising agency.
The CEO & Champion of Business Innovation
By 1975, after learning everything he could about agency operations, Tan Sri Limkokwing started the first professional Malaysian advertising agency – Wings Creative Consultants.
He was 29 years old at the time. Starting with only four employees; it was a bold move as he was muscling into an industry controlled by expatriates and multinationals. His perseverance, talent and skills, within a short time catapulted his business into the top rung. Wings became one of the top 10 leading agencies in the country within three years of inception.
In 1988, BBDO, one of the world’s largest multinational advertising agencies, approached Wings Creative Consultants to forge an alliance. Billings of Wings/BBDO reached RM26 million (USD 8.6mill) in 1989; by 1992, Billings rose to nearly RM40 million (USD 13.3mill).
Early on, Tan Sri Limkokwing had the vision to shape a better future for the world, by moulding young individuals more effectively in an environment of creativity and innovation.
And while his success in the field of advertising is well-known and documented, the Limkokwing brand today is better known around the globe as an internationally-recognised, award-winning tertiary education services provider.
The partnership with BBDO ended in 1992 when Tan Sri Limkokwing turned his full attention to communications services and branding with the inception of Limkokwing Integrated.
It was also around this time that he set up what later became Malaysia’s first global university. Limkokwing.net
21st Century Educationist
Tan Sri Limkokwing played an instrumental part in bringing forward new legislation to improve and broaden tertiary education in Malaysia, culminating in the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996.
In 2002, Limkokwing was the first private college in Malaysia to be recognised as a University College, then becoming a full-fledged University by 2007, opening up the doors to others and changing the private tertiary education landscape into the vibrant industry it is today.
It is in this chapter of the Limkokwing story that he embarked on a new mission, providing a uniquely practical, industry-relevant education format that has spearheaded nation-building and progress in many countries abroad.
In Africa, for the past decade, he has taken on the task to bridge the gap between the developed and developing world. He empowers young citizens, preparing them to play a major role in building the future of their countries. Through the Universities he has established in Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Sierra Leone, he has, and is still imbuing the next generation of young Africans with the right skills and knowledge that are the key to making them a force in shaping the future of nations.
The Universities he has established are recognized as Universities of Transformation in Africa and accorded Global TVET Leadership for Economic Transformation by ASIC and IVET, UK and Tan Sri Limkokwing is appointed TVET International President.
In 2020 three more Universities will be operational in Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda hence the recognition of Transformational Leadership in Internationalising Education.
The Visionary & Hero of Philanthropy
As one of Asia’s most respected communications and creative maestros, Tan Sri Limkokwing has worked with leaders of Malaysia to empower Malaysians, building human capability, rebranding the country, promoting peace and harmony.
He is behind memorable slogans such as “Malaysia Boleh” and helped align his countrymen in understanding and working towards a unified national goal – Vision 2020.
In 2009, he was named among Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy for contributing and organising fundraising for, among other things, the fight against AIDS and apartheid. He has provided numerous scholarships, offered disabled student services, and advocated philanthropy as part of his company’s corporate philosophy.
Tan Sri Limkokwing works closely with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), starting as a member of the organising committee for the World Red Cross Day in the 1960s to eventually becoming Vice-Chairman of the society.
He established the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped in 1984, providing care for those denied treatment by other charities.Through the Limkokwing Foundation, scholarships worth millions have been granted to deserving students across the globe, including those from war-stricken countries.
Among the highlights of his legacy are the thousands of beneficiaries of Limkokwing Foundation Scholarships who have succeeded in driving transformation and innovation while contributing to industries in their native countries.
