DR. PALANIAPPAN A/L RAMANATHAN CHETTIAR
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
DR. PALANIAPPAN A/L
RAMANATHAN CHETTIAR,
B.Sc., MA, Ph.D., A.P.T, a
Malaysian, aged 51, was
appointed to the Board
of Directors of SMR Tech
as the Managing Director
on 13 August 2004. He
was redesignated as
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer ("CEO") on 12 February 2007. Dr. Palan, as he is internationally
known, has extensive experience in various industries in the fi eld of marketing,
HR & Information Technology and is the founder of SMRHRT.
A technopreneur, Dr. Palan comes from a successful business family. He is
internationally recognised for his speaking and training engagements, HRD
consulting expertise and advisory services. Organisations in over 32 countries
in Asia, Australia and the US have engaged his services.
Dr. Palan has worked in a variety of positions in various Industries. In a
consulting capacity, he has held HRD positions and as Project Manager
with large corporations providing and/or managing HRD, Competency and
Performance Management projects. He has been engaged by organisations
such as Motorola R & D division, Singapore Airlines, Avago Technologies,
Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance, PETRONAS, National Drilling Company,
Bahrain Labour Fund and Agilent. Primarily all of Dr. Palan's work experience
during the last twenty-eight (28) years has been in the area of Human
Resource Development technology.
Dr. Palan has shared his experiences in international forums to position
HRDPowerTM and the work of SMR Tech. They include sharing of the Competency
framework, the proprietary PAGE framework and Performance Management
practices in Asian cultures. He has been a Conference speaker in several
world and regional industry conferences that have been organised all over the world.
Dr. Palan obtained his education in Madras University, India (B.Sc., MA) and California Coast University, United
States of America (Ph.D.). His other research and studies in the United States of America include: being qualified
to gain membership with Association of Psychological Type, USA; Executive development programmes in the
Harvard Business School, University of California at Los Angeles and National Training Laboratories. He is a
lifelong learner who has continuously kept himself up-to-date by attending IT and software project management
courses.
He attended the Masie Labs in Albany, New York to learn about the use of technology in learning from Elliot
Masie who is the founder of the eLearning consortium and frequently sits on congressional committees on learning
technology. He has also been mentored by the world's leading Internet guru Tom Antion. Dr Palan was awarded
a Fellowship with the Institute of Training & Development, United Kingdom as early as 1985.
He pioneered the development of HRDPower™ software system, the flagship product of the Group. Dr Palan
has also written twelve books, developed HRD games and videos. His books on competency management and
performance management are best sellers in the Asian circuit. Some of Dr. Palan's books include are:-
Competency Management: a practitioner's guide
Performance Management & measurement: the Asian context
FAQ's in HRD
The Magic of Making Training FUN
Creating Your Own Rainbow
To-date Dr Palan does not hold any position in any BOD committee or directorship in any other public listed
company.
Dr Palan is the spouse of Madam Kamatchi @ Valliammai A/P Malayandi who is the Executive Director of
of SMR Tech. Dr Palan has no confl ict of interest with SMR Tech and no convictions for offences within the past
10 years.
KAMATCHI @ VALLIAMMAI A/P MALAYANDI
Executive Director
KAMATCHI @ VALLIAMMAI A/P MALAYANDI, a Malaysian, aged
39, was appointed to the Board of SMR Tech as an Executive
Director on 14 July 2004 and Special Flagship Holdings Sdn Bhd
on 13 August 2004.
She pursued her NCC Diploma in Computers at the Systematic
Computer Centre, Malaysia in 1987 and also completed her
Certifi cate in Training & Development from the Institute of Training
& Development, UK in 1992 and Diploma in Management from
the Institute of Administrative Management, UK in 2003.
She started her career as a teacher with the Ministry of Education, Government of Malaysia in 1986 before joining
Romiza Management Centre as a Trainer in end of 1987. She subsequently joined SMR in 1989.
At SMR, she has been involved in a variety of roles in consulting on Training Needs Analysis projects and
in managing the implementation of such projects. She has also been closely involved in the day to day
management of the Company. She has kept herself updated by attending regular management courses and
has travelled to the USA and Australia to attend executive development courses. She also serves as a member
of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee of SMR Tech.
To-date Mdm Kamatchi does not hold any position in any BOD committee or directorship in any other public listed
company. Madam Kamatchi is the spouse of Dr. Palan who is the Chairman and CEO of of SMR Tech. Madam
Kamatchi has no confl ict of interest with SMR Tech and no convictions for offences within the past 10 years.
DR. NADARAJAH A/L MANICKAM
Executive Director
DR. NADARAJAH A/L MANICKAM, a Malaysian, aged 53 is the
Executive Director and R & D Director of the SMR Tech Group.
He was appointed to the Board of SMR Tech on 17 December
2004. Dr. Nadarajah has a B.Sc. from the Madras University, India
and a MA and Ph.D. from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU),
New Delhi, India. He has also attended a communication training
programme at the Communication Foundation of Asia, Manila in
1983. He has been an awardee of research fellowships from the
University Grants Commission, India and the Nippon Foundation,
Japan. Dr. Nadarajah has travelled extensively around the
world. Among his key interest areas is the social impact and use of new technologies for human resources
development.
Dr. Nat, as he is fondly known in the industry, has over 30 years experience in the fi eld of communications and
learning and has worked with the television, fi lm and advertising industry and contributed to web and e-learning
initiatives. He was a pioneer in the initial set up of Asianet, a satellite pay television station based in Trivandrum,
India that was incorporated in 1991 and that has now become a global venture.
Dr. Nat has worked on the design and development of e-learning and communication services/products for
Asianet (India), Cahayasuara Communications Centre (Malaysia), Asian Communication Network (Thailand), Public
Media Agency (Malaysia) and Signis (Belgium). He has also helped form a number of web communities/discussion
groups including one for UNEP (Paris). He contributed to the design and development of HRDWebvarsity, SMR
Tech Group's online e-learning institution and has produced multimedia programmes for it. He has worked for the
last ten (10) years promoting web-related learning and communication.
An avid believer in the new information and communication technologies(ICT) and variety of software applications,
Dr. Nat is certainly a promoter of the IT industry. He focuses on software concept development with emphasis
on functions, community-building web technologies, organisational intranet and portal development for enabling
business and community processes and all areas of communication. He is very much involved in technology
projects planning and implementation and pays attention to the social impact and use of new technologies
particularly in the HRD area.
His interest in research and study of the development of HR technology for HRD purposes is the basis of his
leadership of the R&D team for the Group.
To-date Dr Nat does not hold any position in any BOD committee or directorship in any other public listed
company. He has no family relationship with any other directors or major shareholders of SMR Tech, has no
confl ict of interest with SMR Tech and no convictions for offences within the past 10 years.
VENKITESWARAN SANKAR
Executive Director
VENKITESWARAN SANKAR, a Malaysian, aged 61, was appointed as Executive Director to the Board of SMRT on 2 May 2008. He is presently a Chartered accountant running his own practice at Sankar & Co, Chartered Accountants. He completed his MACPA (Professional Studies for Malaysian Association of Certified Public Accountants) in 1970 and has been an active member of Malaysian Institute of Accountants since 1976, Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1971 and is also a Council member of Malaysian Institute of Taxation since 2004.
Prior to practicing on his own since 1995, Mr Venkiteswaran has served in various capacities as Partner and Senior Management positions at Price Waterhouse, Datuk Keramat Holdings Berhad, Hals & Associates (Public Accountants) and Kumpulan SRS.
With over 20 years experience in various companies in construction, trading, property development, manufacturing & investment holding, Mr Venkiteswaran will assist to improve the corporate governance, accounts, audit and taxation requirements of the SMRT Group of Companies.
HAJI ISHAK BIN HASHIM
Independent Non-Executive Director
HAJI ISHAK BIN HASHIM, a Malaysian, aged 64 is an
Independent Non-Executive Director of SMR Tech. He was
appointed to the Board of SMR Tech on 5 October 2005. He
graduated with a Masters Degree in Education from Stanford
University, USA in 1972 and has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
degree from University Malaya in 1967. He started his career
serving in the Ministry of Education before embarking into
the private sector holding various senior HRD Managerial and
Director positions in several public listed companies such as
Malaysian Tobacco Company Ltd, Malayan Banking Berhad,
Tractors Malaysia Berhad, Boustead Holdings Berhad, Iris Berhad and Affi n Bank Berhad.
Haji Ishak, who has also served as a councillor for the Shah Alam Town Council (1983-1987), Chairman of
Koperasi Tunas Muda (KTM) Penang (1999-2001) and Chairman of TAP Resources Berhad (2000-2001) is the
present Chairman of Court of Fellows Malaysian Institute of Human Resources Malaysia (MIHRM) where he was
also the President from 1985 to 1987.
With his valuable experience and exposure to high level management processes, Haji Ishak, who is currently a
consultant in Human Capital and Organizational Development, would be able to groom and support the other
Directors and Management of the Company. He also serves as a Chairman of the Nomination Committee,
Remuneration Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee of SMR Tech.
To-date Encik Haji Ishak does not hold any position in any BOD committee or directorship in any other public listed
company. Haji Ishak has no family relationship with any other directors or major shareholders of SMR Tech, has no
confl ict of interest with SMR Tech and no convictions for offences within the past 10 years.
LEOW NAN CHYE
Independent Non-Executive Director
LEOW NAN CHYE, a Malaysian, aged 48, is an Independent Non-
Executive Director of SMR Tech. He was appointed to the Board
of SMR Tech on 5 October 2005. He is the Head of the Audit
Committee of SMR Tech. Mr. Leow is an accountant by profession.
He graduated from Tunku Abdul Rahman College and obtained
the professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of
Management Accountants, United Kingdom. He is a member of
the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). He has over twenty
(20) years experience in various companies involved in property
development, resorts and golf, manufacturing and investment
holding. He was previously attached to Malaysian General Investment Corporation Bhd, KAB Group, Tanming
Group, Negara Properties Sdn Bhd and Formosa Prosonic Industries Sdn Bhd. He also serves as a Chairman of the
Audit Committee and as a member of the Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee of SMR Tech.
To-date Mr Leow does not hold any position in any BOD committee or directorship in any other public listed
company. Mr Leow has no family relationship with any other directors or major shareholders of SMR Tech, has no
confl ict of interest with SMR Tech and no convictions for offences within the past 10 years.
DATO' VEERASINGAM S/O SUPPIAH
Independent Non-Executive Director
DATO' VEERASINGAM S/O SUPPIAH, aged 66, is an Independent Non-Executive Director of SMRT. He was appointed to the Board of SMRT on 2 May 2008.
He obtained his Certificate of Teacher Training (CTT) in Penang and also has a Certificate in Malay Language from the Teacher Training College of Kota Bahru.
An active football referee for ten years from 1972, he also has a National Football Referees Certificate from Football Association Malaysia and a First Aid Certificate from the Red Cross Society of Malaysia.
Dato' Veerasingam started his career serving the Ministry of Education as a teacher for 4 years before embarking into the political arena holdings various positions from MIC state council member, MIC Central Working Committee member, Branch Chairman, State Assemblyman, Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Unity and Social Development and finally Deputy Minister, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs until February 2008.
Dato' Veerasingam, who has since retired from active politics and the Public Service, is now actively involved in many voluntary organisations which include among others include, Perak Karate Do Association, Perak Cultural Society, Malaysian Indian Technology and Innovation Bureau, Hawkers Association, Red Cross Society, Football Association, Sports Councils, Small Business Association Perak.
For his tireless efforts and contribution in voluntary and public services, Dato' Veerasingam was conferred several awards which include AMN (Federal), AMP (Perak), PMP (Perak) and DPMP (which carries the title of Dato')
Dato' Veerasingam invaluable experience and leadership would be able to groom and support the other Directors and Management staff of the company, especially in the areas of Corporate Social Responsibilities.
