Smart Reader Worldwide awards top franchisees during annual dinner in Bukit Gambang
KUCHING: Smart Reader Worldwide held their annual Franchisee Award Night for Malaysia at the grand ballroom of Bukit Gambang Resort City, Pahang recently.
A total of 110 Smart Reader centres from all over the nation were guests at the dinner, where various awards were presented to high achieving franchisees of the year.
Tiong Mee Chin was voted as Smart Reader Worldwide Franchisee of the Year 2017.
She opened her first Smart Reader Kids centre in 2002 with just a handful of students. Together with her partners, hard work and determination they have expanded to 10 centres in Johor Bahru - Smart Reader Kids Taman Nusa Bestari Jaya, Taman Nusa Bestari Jaya 2, Taman Nusa Idaman, Nusajaya, Taman Nusa Idaman 2, Nusajaya, Horizon Hills, Bukit Indah, Taman Molek, Taman Molek II, Phase 1, Setia Tropika, and Taman KempasUtama.
Apart from this award, Tiong also bagged the Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Radiant Diamond (Gold cape) award for her Smart Reader Kids centres respectively. She believes that teamwork and a positive working attitude are the keys to her success.
Emerging Franchisee of the Year 2017 was bestowed upon Nursafinaz Hisham Sagar, who also bagged the Gold award.
She started her career in the banking industry before becoming a kindergarten teacher and realised that her true passion was in teaching children. She has never looked back. From East Malaysia, the recipient for Radiant Diamond Awards were Evelyn Law Yen Chui, franchisee of Smart Reader Kids Jalan Stapok Selatan, Tabuan Jaya Baru 2 and Uni Garden, Kota Samarahan and Sylvia Lim Pek Cheng of Smart Reader Kids Chong Hin Garden 1 and Chong Hin Garden 2. Evelyn and Sylvia also received Diamond Awards.
Other recipients for Diamond Awards from East Malaysia were Valentina Freni-Ganguly, Lisa Ng Lee San and Sharon Chang Seok Chyi of Smart Reader Kids Jalan Rubber Barat, Jalan Song and Jalan Keretapi respectively.
Meanwhile, the recipient for Platinum Award was Sophia Laka of Smart Reader Kids Taman Hock Lee, Bintulu and Gold Award recipient was Jakiah Sahari, franchisee of Smart Reader Kids Taman Yen Yen, Matang, Kuching.
Lau Lan May, the franchisee cum principal of Smart Reader Kids Jalan Berjaya, Sibu received New Impressive Award for setting up a new centre in Sarawak last year.
The Radiant Diamond Awards were also presented to 10 recipients while the Diamond Awards were given to 18 recipients.
Twenty- seven franchisees received awards from the Platinum category and an outstanding 55 centres in the Gold category.
Five centres were named New Impressive award recipients. All franchisees were congratulated for their renewal of five, ten and fifteen years in the Smart Reader Kids fraternity.
Group executive director of Smart Reader Worldwide, Datin Sri Dato’ Dr K H Wang launched her autobiography ‘ Dare to be Different’ at the event.
Her autobiography describes the challenges she faced on the way to achieving the success she enjoys today. She believes that nothing is impossible if you work towards your dreams and are committed to achieving them.
In her speech during the event, she thanked all those who supported her through tough times, including her family, staff and franchisees.
“We are one. We treat each other with love and care. Let’s grow towards greater heights and greater achievements,” she said.
In his speech, chief executive officer of Smart Reader Worldwide, Dato’ Sri Dr Richard Ong encouraged franchisees to explore the possibility of expansion, either of the existing centres or setting up in a new location.
“This is because the demand for early childhood education will always be there. Some have even remarked that it is resistant to the economic downturn.”