Asia HRD Awards 2014

prema.jayabalan@leaderonomics.com

The Asia HRD Awards 2014 was hosted in Kuala Lumpur on June 10 whereby 15 distinguished personalities and organisations from over eight countries were honoured for their contributions to people development.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin graced the awards ceremony.

Among the foreign dignitaries who were present at the Asia HRD Awards were Dr Haris Silajdzic, former chairman of the presidency and Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Fahmi Ali Al Jowder, former Works Minister of Bahrain.

Once again, the Asia HRD Awards celebrated the best and the brightest, i.e. individuals who have elevated human capital development and positively impacted society, the corporate world and the human resource community.

Recognised for their efforts and influence in improving organisations or communities they work within, they are often the reason great success and inspiring stories exist.

The Awards night was a celebration of excellence in the following four categories:

· Lifetime Achievement Award for individuals who have made a lifetime contribution to people development

· Contribution to Society Award for endeavours in advancing education and other learning initiatives

· Contribution to Organisation Award for effective roles played in employee development

· Contribution to HR Community Award for initiatives that have been proven impactful in the human resources sphere

There is certainly no other people development awards ceremony like this.

The line-up of previous recipients include Fidel V. Ramos, the 12th President of the Philippines (recipient of the Asia HRD Lifetime Achievement Award), and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, founder and group CEO of AirAsia Bhd (recipient of the Asia HRD Contribution to Society Award).

Other recipients include Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister of Development and International Cooperation (recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award) and Shri Shiv Nadar, founder and chairman of the Shiv Nadar Foundation in India (recipient of the Contribution to Society Award).

What started in 2003 to honour these outstanding individuals is now firmly established as one of the most prestigious awards honouring contributors to people development.

The Asia HRD Awards has since recognised 145 men and women from 16 different countries for their tireless efforts.

The independent awards committee consists of illustrious and decorated individuals. They include:

· Tan Sri Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Sarawak State Secretary, Chief Minister’s Department of Sarawak, Malaysia

· Dr Ebrahim K. Al Dossary, former chairman of the International Federation for Training and Development Organisation (IFTDO) and Prime Minister’s Court, Bahrain

· Hamidah Naziadin, head of group corporate resources division, CIMB, Malaysia

· Robert Yeo, executive director and CEO of Singapore Training and Development (STADA)

· Rajeev Dubey, president (group human resources, corporate services and after-market) and group executive board member of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, India

· Ahmed Al Banna, chief executive of Origin Group, Bahrain

Leading this stellar cast is none other than Ramos, the current Asia HRD Awards Committee chairman.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, this was not just a red carpet event celebrating glamour and glitz of the corporate world.

Instead, it was a night where initiatives were recognised and honour was accorded to those who tirelessly contributed towards people development and growth.