By: John T
Toh Puan Norlidah conferred the title of Adjunct Professor in Business Management to Jonathan.
KOTA KINABALU: It was a double honour for the mother-and-son duo, Malaysian property developer Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, who was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of North Borneo University College (NBUC) and her son, Jonathan Wong, who was conferred the Adjunct Professorship in Business Management, at the fifth convocation ceremony of the institution here yesterday.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), attracted guests and families from all walks of life. One of the highlights was the appointment of Susan, founder of the WSG Group and a highly respected property developer in Sabah. She has achieved outstanding accomplishments in the business realm, led multiple successful real estate projects, while also earning deep respect for her continuous contributions to philanthropy and service to the Chinese community.
During the ceremony, NBUC Chancellor Toh Puan Dr Hjh Norlidah binti Tan Sri Datuk R.M. Jasni presented the appointment letter to Susan, marking her as a new driving force for higher education and social responsibility in Sabah. It is worth noting that the university’s board currently comprises only 10 members, with Susan being the only female of Chinese descent.
Later, Toh Puan Norlidah also conferred Jonathan with the title of Adjunct Professor in Business Management, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of business development in Sabah.
Susan is recognized real estate developer and philanthropist in Sabah. With her exceptional business achievements and longstanding contributions to society, she has become a prominent figure both locally and within the international Chinese community. She has been honoured with numerous awards and recognitions for her tireless efforts in advancing community, education, and cultural development.
Meanwhile, Jonathan was conferred the title of Adjunct Professor in Business Management, the only Chinese male to currently hold such an honorary position at the university college in view of his strong academic record and extensive business experience.
For years, Jonathan has dedicated himself to corporate management, technological innovation, and social responsibility. His expertise and entrepreneurial insight will bring greater opportunities for academic exchange and practical guidance at the university.
After the ceremony, Jonathan expressed deep respect for his family and gratitude for their unwavering support, which enabled him to pursue his career and passions. He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing business and education in Malaysia and the Chinese community.
“I hope that through my role at North Borneo University College, I can provide students with more practical knowledge and business wisdom.
“Looking ahead, I will continue to stay true to my principles—whether in sports or business—striving for breakthroughs, giving back to society, and sharing what I have learned to help nurture more talents for Sabah and Malaysia,” he said.
Jonathan had pursued his master’s degree in Australia, focusing on the research of aquaculture and sustainable development. He later combined his academic expertise with real-world experience to establish Champ Quality Seafood, a company specializing in frozen seafood supply and aquaculture. He has been actively driving innovation and upgrade in the seafood processing industry.
Through persistence and expertise, Jonathan has earned numerous recognitions in the fisheries sector. He had won the Most Outstanding Commercial Collaboration Award in Eskpo Kecemerlangan Reka Cipta (Excocipta) 2024 by Universiti Malaysia Sabah. And recently, he received the ‘Penternak Ikan Jaya’ award from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK) 2025. This awards not only recognized his personal achievements but also showcased Sabah’s strength and potential in the national aquaculture sector.
Jonathan is also actively engaged in community and sports organizations. As President of the Sabah Para Swimming Association, he is committed to promoting sports and nurturing young athletes with special needs. He firmly believes that sports and education complement one another, empowering youth to build confidence and resilience through discipline and training.
From his perseverance on the athletic field to his determination in entrepreneurship, Jonathan has written his own inspiring story of persistence and achievement. His appointment as Adjunct Professor of Business Management at NBUC is both well-deserved and a recognition of his multifaceted contributions.
Founded in 2006, NBUC is Sabah’s first university college approved by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education, with its main campus located in Kota Kinabalu. As one of Sabah’s leading private higher education institutions, NBUC is committed to delivering high-quality, practice-oriented academic programs for both local and international students.
The university comprises 20 faculties and schools covering a wide range of disciplines, including Business & Management, Accounting & Finance, Law, Information Technology, Education, Tourism & Hospitality, Nursing & Health Sciences, Social Sciences, and Creative Media. Programs span from Foundation and Diploma levels to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees (including DBA and PhD), emphasizing a balance of theory and practice to cultivate globally minded, skilled professionals.
Guided by the philosophy “Education Creates Value for Society”, NBUC places strong emphasis on community engagement and research development. The university actively promotes academia-industry collaboration to enhance graduates’ employability and competitiveness.
Over the years, NBUC has established partnerships with numerous overseas universities and institutions, providing students with opportunities for international exchange and further studies.
With its consistent growth and educational excellence, NBUC has become an important hub for higher education in East Malaysia, attracting not only local students but also those from other Southeast Asian countries.
Currently, NBUC has 11 international offices, 20 learning centers worldwide, more than 30,000 graduates, and nearly 500 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed with foreign universities, along with over 1,000 university-industry partnerships.
