AFWC COUNCIL MEMBERS
Dato’J Palaniappan
Executive Chairman
DATO’ J. PALANIAPPAN currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the ASEAN Future Workforce Council (AFWC), a vital role within the organization dedicated to advancing ASEAN-wide action on Future Skills and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) development.
His extensive involvement in Labor and Skills policy formulation and advocacy within the region and globally is showcased through his active roles as a Council Member of the National Wages Consultative Council (NWCC) and the National Labor Advisory Council (NLAC) and as a Board Member of the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRDCorp) in Malaysia. At the regional level, he contributes as a Council Member of the ASEAN TVET Council (ATC) under the ASEAN Secretariat and as the Joint Business Council member of ASEAN Business Advisory Council ( ABAC) and globally, he serves as a BILT Expert Group Member for Green & Digital Transition under UNESCO-UNEVOC.
Dato Palaniappan is a distinguished individual who has been elected as a Council Member in two prominent industry and employer-based federations in Malaysia, namely the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). These appointments highlight his significant contributions and influence in shaping policies and initiatives within the industrial sector.
With a Master’s degree in Quality & Productivity Improvement and a double degree in Economics & Jurisprudence, Dato Palaniappan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his current roles. Over the past 25 years, he has held senior corporate positions in various regional and international organizations, further amplifying his experience and leadership.
Mr. Stephen Yee
Mr. Stephen Yee is the Deputy Executive Director, of Corporate Training and Workforce Transformation Group at Singapore National Employers FederationHe is an active member of the Future of Work under IOE and is also involved in providing feedback and information on the ASEAN Future of Work published in 2015.
He is now appointed by members of the Term Chair of ASEAN Future of Work (AFWC) for the period 2023 to 2024 and also the founding member of the AFWC since its inception. He is the advisor for the Singapore Training and Development Association. He is on the Governing Council of the Singapore Institute of Management Society and the Honorary Treasurer since 2019.
SNEF is registered as a trade union under the Trade Unions Act. It is the national trade union of employers, the counterpart of the National Trades UnionCongress (NTUC), representing the interests of all sectors of the economy. It is an independent, autonomous non-profit organisation funded by membership fees and revenue from consultancy, training, research and other activities.
Mr. Keovisouk Dalasane
Council Member
Keovisouk Dalasane (Or Keo), born in Phongsaly Province of Laos on January 6th 1974, is a Lao entrepreneur who started his human resources business from scratch and helps inspiring the youth in Laos to unleash their potential in their respective areas of interest. Keo graducated with Bachelor degree in Business Administration at Bangkok University, Thailand.And Master degree in Economics at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.
After a decade of working experiences both in Laos and in Japan, In late 2009, Keo decided to return home to start his entrepreneurial journey. After a year of freelance consulting, and opportunity validation, in 2011, Keo started the first and full-fledge human resource business in Laos -108Jobs. The employment portal www.108.jobs has since emerged along with growing internet penetration rate of Laos to become No. 1 job site in Laos.
Keo and his company awarded “Best SME Award 2017”, “Lao ICT Award” in 2018 for its blue collarjob matching service and very significant award with “ASEAN Business Award 2018 for Asean Winner – SMEExcellence Innovation” in November 2018 in Singapore. As a champion for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and work-based learning (WBL), Keo continue to promote startups and youth leadership through a wide range of activities i.e Youth Empowerment Scheme; Startup Weekend, Career Readiness Workshop, and supporting career counselling service offices in various educational institutes. Keo is also regularly moderating panel discussions on the above issues. On January 1, 2020 Keo was appointed Honorary Consul of Finland to the Lao PDR. Other social positions of Keo includes the followings are Member in, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and Steering Committee Member of Dual Cooperative Training Service Center at LNCCI, 2021-2023
Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe
Council Member
Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe, a native of Monyo Township, Myanmar, was born on September 7, 1971. His educational journey began with the completion of high school in 1989, after which he embarked on a career in the Government service. Joining the Air Force as an electrician, he underwent training in Basic Electricity and Electric Filter Course at Meikhtilla from 1991 to 1993.
Throughout his tenure as a government servant until 1998, Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe honed his skills, specializing in the repair of Aircraft wiring, Inverter control systems, Converter control, as well as Air Conditioner & Refrigeration Systems.His passion for learning and personal growth led him to pursue higher education. In 1995, Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physics. Subsequently, in 1996, he majored in Electrical at the Government Technology Institute.Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe’s expertise in Aircraft wiring, Inverter control systems, Converter control, Air Conditioner, and Refrigeration Systems served as a solid foundation for his next venture. In 1998, he joined an Air Conditioner Company as an Air con technician.Fueled by ambition and a desire to contribute to his field, Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe took a significant step in 2012 by establishing his own company, Air Kinetic System Engineering Company LTD. This company specializes in design, load calculation, installation, repair, and Material Supply for heating, ventilation, Air conditioner, and refrigeration systems.Committed to the growth and development of the industry, Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe, in collaboration with NSSA (National Skill Standard Authority), established the HVACR Association (YANGON) in 2017. The primary goal of this association is to produce skilled workers in the Air conditioner, refrigerator, and skillful electrician fields.Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe has undertaken various training programs, including TOT (Training of Trainers), CBCD (Capacity Building for Curriculum Development), Auditing, and Accessor training.Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe holds the position of Assistance Secretary for the Air Conditioner Department at the prestigious Myanmar Engineering Society. In this role, he actively contributes to the assessment of skill workers at Level 1 and Level 2. Additionally, he provides regular training for Air Conditioner and Electrician Level 1 and Level 2 workers on a monthly basis. Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe has successfully completed drug competency training for NSSA Level 3 and Level 4 for Air Conditioner systems. The collaboration with MESFED (Myanmar Engineering Society), NSSA, Metal and Engineering Society committee, and the Ministry of Labour further underscores his dedication to advancing the industry.
Sr. Syukri bin Sr. Haji Zulkipli
Council Member
Syukri Zulkipli is a highly accomplished Quantity Surveyor. He began his journey in the construction industry in 2013, joining HZ and Associates, where he has been a pivotal member of the team. Syukri’s dedication and commitment to his profession earned him a well-deserved partnership with the company in 2023.
With an impressive educational background, Syukri holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying and an MSc in Construction Management. He is a distinguished Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) and also holds the status of a Corporate Member of the Pertubuhan Ukur Jurutera & Arkitek (PUJA) in Brunei.
Syukri’s passion for continuous learning and involvement in PUJA since 2013 has been recognized, as he currently serves as the General Member 1, with a specific focus on Education & Examination matters. His contributions to the profession and dedication to upholding its standards make him a prominent figure in the construction industry.”
Mrs. Eng Sopheap
Council Member
Sopheap is a Founder and Managing Director of ODI Asia Co., Ltd; a leading consulting firm specialized in Human Resources Management. She has been servicing many companies, NGOs and government institutions on HR issues covering wide range of HR aspects
including set up HR Department, develop Policy and Procedures, Talent Management, Succession Planning, Employee Engagement Framework, Strategic HR Business Partnering, Job Evaluation, Pension Fund Development, Reward Strategy, Performance Management, Industrial Relations and many other HR related matters. She has also assisted her clients on various issues involving leadership and management including organization development, organizational performance and alignment, strategic planning, team works, staff motivation, coaching and mentoring.She has extensive experience working with overseas countries in charges overseas projects in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Bangladesh, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
She is also serving as a Vice Presidentof Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), the largest business association in Cambodian and recognized locally and internationally. She works closely with other boards on various strategic works with national and international partners to promote the environment for successful business growth and support employers to achieve excellence in business practices.
She sits in Skill Committees and involves in various projects and activities on Vocational Training and Education both at policy level and technical level. She has been working closely with many ministries, development partners, private sectors, and schools on Skills and TVET. Sopheap is currently serving in several committees and working groups both at national and international levels. She was a member of the Regional Working Group on TVET representing Cambodia in developing and producing a policy document on “Future ASEAN Agenda on TVET”. She was the founder and council member of the ASEAN Future Workforce Council (AFWC). She sits in a Steering Committee of Skill Development Program (TVET-SDP). Moreover, she has involved in many TVET projects including Sectoral Skills Council (SSC) and Skills for Competitiveness (S4C).
Mr. Marlon P. Miňa
Council Member
Marlon P. Miňa is currently the Executive Director of the PCCI Human Resources Development Foundation (PCCIHRDF), the human resources development arm of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
Mr. Miňa has more than seventeen (17) years of experience in chamber development, advocacy works, project management, and education and training programming and implementation.
He is one of the sixty (60) experts that developed the ASEAN Standards for In-Company Training and is one of the experts that developed the TESDA Training Regulations (TR) and Competency Assessment Tools (CATS) of the In-Company Trainer Training Methodology I (In-Company Trainer).
He also served as the Programme Officer of the Energy Working Group of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) from December 2007-May 2010 where he conducted data gathering, research and analysis on various power sector and energy industry information in relation to the competitiveness of the energy sector.
The PCCIHRDF aims to catalyze, encourage, and urge business chambers, associations, business enterprises and schools to engage and be involved in human resources development through a dualized approach of in-company and school-based education and training.
Mr. Le Viet Hai
Council Member
Le Viet Hai is the founder and Chairman of Hoa Binh Construction Group. Mr. Hai attended Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture and received his architect degree in 1985. In 1987, he founded Hoa Binh Company. In 34 years, Mr. Hai has built Hoa Binh into one of the leading, large-scale most trusted construction companies in Vietnam, with a strong specialization in tall buildings and high-rise residential. Hoa Binh has constructed more than 500 projects in the fields of civil, industrial and infrastructure, out of them, over 100 towers.
Le Viet Hai always conveys enthusiasm to the company’s employees about a spirit of readiness to serve customers, partners, and dedication to society. He was awarded by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam the Third-class Labor Medal and received the Vietnam – Asean Outstanding Entrepreneur Award 2020. His burning desire is to bring Hoa Binh National Brand to be the pride of Vietnam’s construction industry, and to become a big player in the international arena.
Currently, in addition to the Chairman position at Hoa Binh Construction Group, Mr. Le Viet Hai also holds the position of Chairman of the Saigon Construction and Building Materials Association (SACA), Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC). In addition to business, he also has a passion for music, poetry, and literature.
