KUCHING: Wawasan Open University (WOU) has announced the appointment of Tan Sri Andrew Sheng as the new chairman of the Wawasan Education Foundation (WEF), signalling a strategic shift in strengthening the university’s role in expanding access to future-ready education.
He succeeds Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, whose stewardship of the Foundation from 2013 to 2025 was credited with driving WOU’s institutional growth and outreach.
Koh will continue to serve as chairman of WOU’s Board of Governors, ensuring continuity in leadership at the university level.
As the philanthropic and strategic backbone of WOU, WEF plays a pivotal role in advancing equitable access to quality higher education, supporting research initiatives, and nurturing a generation of digitally competent learners.
The foundation’s mandate has become increasingly critical amid growing demand for flexible, technology-driven education pathways.
The university in a statement said Sheng’s appointment which received unanimous backing from its board of directors reflects confidence in his global expertise spanning financial systems, public policy, and institutional governance.
“His leadership marks a bold new chapter for the Foundation, enabling WOU to deepen its social and economic impact through innovation-driven strategies and inclusive education models,” the statement said.
Sheng is no stranger to the WOU ecosystem as he currently serves as a member of the university’s board of governors, chairman of the George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies (GIOAS), and Professor of Practice at the School of Business and Administration.
In these roles, he has been instrumental in shaping discourse on global economic strategy, financial governance, and sustainable, innovation-led growth — areas that are increasingly central to WOU’s academic and research agenda.
In a concurrent development, the university also extended its congratulations to Sheng on his recent appointment as special adviser to the Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
The university expressed confidence that Sheng’s international advisory experience would contribute meaningfully to Sabah’s development priorities, particularly in bridging financial governance with sustainable and inclusive growth frameworks.
Meanwhile, the university’s chief executive and Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Lily Chan described Sheng’s appointment as a significant boost to the university’s long-term vision.
“Sheng brings with him a wealth of global experience and unparalleled insight spanning diverse domains. His expertise bolsters WOU’s mission to transform digital open learning and drive systemic impact, empowering individuals to contribute to a more inclusive and resilient economy.
“Under his strategic guidance, the university will further its goal of providing future-proof education that strengthens economic resilience both locally and internationally,” she said.
