Peng Choong Leng, an alumnus of the International Business Department and the Ph.D. Program in Business at Chung Yuan Christian University, has been awarded the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Distinguished Taiwan Alumni Award in its fourth edition. This prestigious award recognizes his outstanding contributions to Taiwan and the global community. Established in 2018 and held biennially, the award honored 11 recipients this year. Peng, a Malaysian youth with big dreams when he first arrived in Taiwan, is now a prominent leader in the international business world. By embodying the core values of Chung Yuan Christian University—”Faith, Hope, and Love”—his recognition is well-deserved.
The award ceremony for the MOE’s Distinguished Taiwan Alumni Award 2024 took place at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation. The award was presented by Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-Chien. This year’s recipients hailed from diverse countries and excelled in fields such as politics, economics, and education. Among them, Peng Choong Leng from Malaysia stood out as the founder of IQS Wood Sdn Bhd. He has also served as the President of the Global Alumni Association of Chung Yuan Christian University and the President of the Malaysia Global Industry-Academia-Innovation Association. His business ventures span Europe, Australia, and Asia, where his company’s innovations in wood-based construction materials promote environmental sustainability.
For years, Peng has been committed to fostering educational exchange and industry-academia collaboration between Taiwan and Malaysia, earning widespread recognition. Reflecting on his ties with Taiwan, Peng shared that it all began during his time at Chung Yuan Christian University. As a Malaysian student in Taiwan, he was deeply influenced by the university’s holistic education philosophy, which not only enhanced his academic expertise but also instilled in him a grounded and aspirational spirit. He remarked, “After my wife and I returned to Malaysia, we aspired to create meaningful contributions for both Taiwan and Malaysia. We decided to fulfill this dream by helping more Malaysian youths study in Taiwan.”
To realize this vision, Peng and his wife dedicated themselves to educational exchange and alumni services between Taiwan and Malaysia. They have actively supported Malaysian students in pursuing higher education in Taiwan and have continued to guide alumni in their academic and career journeys. Peng has also worked tirelessly to build platforms for collaboration between Taiwanese and Malaysian businesses, creating internship and job opportunities to strengthen industry-academia ties and economic exchanges. He hopes that through these efforts, more international students can access development opportunities, deepening Taiwan-Malaysia cooperation in education, culture, and industry.
Recounting his academic journey, Peng shared that he came to Taiwan from Malaysia in 1986. With strong support from Chung Yuan Christian University and Taiwan, he achieved success both academically and professionally. After graduating from the International Business Department at Chung Yuan, he joined Uni-President Enterprises Corporation. Following a one-year internship, he left Taiwan due to regulatory restrictions and later earned a master’s degree from Cleveland State University in the United States. Returning to Malaysia, he embarked on a career in building material production and marketing. In 2021, amidst the global pandemic, he embraced lifelong learning and, encouraged by Chairman Kwang-Cheng Chang and President In-Ming Lee, rejoined Chung Yuan Christian University’s Ph.D. Program in Business. He fulfilled his dream of earning a doctorate in 2024. Peng often encourages young people, saying, “If you have the chance, study in Taiwan. Experience Taiwan’s pragmatic education and hardworking spirit—it will greatly benefit your growth.” He emphasized his steadfast belief in “staying grounded and courageously pursuing dreams,” and remains committed to giving back to society as a way to honor Taiwan and his alma mater.
President In-Ming Lee of Chung Yuan Christian University expressed his pride in Peng Choong Leng’s achievements. Peng not only helped establish the Malaysian Alumni Association of Chung Yuan Christian University but also served as President of the Global Alumni Association, integrating alumni resources and promoting international industry-academia collaboration. A testament to the university’s holistic education, Peng has achieved professional success while upholding the core values of “Faith, Hope, and Love,” actively contributing to public welfare and educational exchange. His recognition with the MOE’s Distinguished Taiwan Alumni Award exemplifies Chung Yuan’s motto, “Diligence and Integrity,” and brings great honor to the university.
