Datuk Rafiah Salim introduced and sustained an empowerment culture in the offices of United Nations which eventually was adopted by many countries. A Master in Law from Queens University Belfast, she proved that logic and emotion go hand in hand, with her employee-centric approaches at Maybank, Malaysia's largest bank, and the Malaysian Central Bank. It was during her tenure that the Asian financial crisis threatened to undermine employee oriented approaches as organizations scrambled to cut costs. With leaders such as Datuk Rafiah, long-term HR initiatives were sustained to create value.

An industrial engineer with a Ph.D. from the renowned Indian Institute of Technology, Ganesh invested in people and developed two world class companies in the field of IT Education – NIIT and APTECH. He expanded operations to 52 countries, grew revenues 50 times and got the company listed on the London Stock Exchange, creating huge value for employees, shareholders, and the organization.

Today, he runs a company renowned for Business Process Outsourcing and which is among the top 25 software exporters. He is in an industry that relies heavily on growing competent people. He has done just that while winning the hearts of his employees.

The leading purpose in the life of Puan Sri Datin Seri Susan Cheah has been to put service above self and to be the Brand Ambassador for education. This has been documented well enough to merit her recognition in the field of Higher Education and People Development.

There is a famous saying that behind every successful man is a successful woman. This beautiful convention centre and theme park, the Sunway Lagoon is part of the Sunway conglomerate. Puan Sri's husband Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah - the visionary who converted a tin mine 25 years ago into what it is today - will without doubt acknowledge the positive contributions of his wife, who is an accomplished corporate figure herself.

The life time achievement award recipient for this year was an extraordinary person who walked the thought. Dr. Surjit Singh preached only what he practiced. A dedicated trainer at the Malaysian Civil Service, he did what he was good at, which is to help people learn effectively.

He was a person who proved that you did not need a position or a title to serve, and serve he did for 40 years towards the cause of developing people. Retirement did not deter him. He continued to be an excellent trainer. He was FUN learning centered and has authored a book.

He pursued a Ph.D. at the age of 72 and completed it at the age of 74. Alas, God beckoned him to be with him five days before his graduation. He missed his graduation but he left a legacy of learning.

An active supporter of professional associations such as MIHRM, MIM, MSTD and the Case Writers Association of Malaysia, he was recognized as an HRD Guru by the Malaysian Society of Training & Development in year 2000.