Dato' Sri Vijay Eswaran (Vijay Eswaran)

Background

Vijay Eswaran was born on October 7, 1960, in Penang, Malaysia, to Pushpavathy Chinnaiah, a teacher, and Vijayaratnam Saravanamuthu, who worked with Malaysia's Ministry of Labor. Because of his father's work, the family moved frequently, and Eswaran attended schools in different parts of Malaysia.

He later moved to the United Kingdom for higher education and supported himself through a variety of jobs, including driving a London black cab. During a period of travel in Europe, he spent time as a lay monk in a Franciscan monastery in Italy. The experience of silence and disciplined reflection later became an important theme in his writing and public speaking.

Education

Eswaran studied socioeconomics in the United Kingdom and completed a degree in 1984. He also obtained professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in 1985, connecting his academic background with management and financial practice.

He subsequently pursued graduate business education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, receiving a master's degree in business management in 1986. The university, founded in the nineteenth century and developed as a major public research institution in southern Illinois, offered a setting for advanced study in the management disciplines that complemented Eswaran's earlier social-science training.

Career

Eswaran began his professional career in corporate and technology-related positions in the United States and Canada, including work associated with Ibm and information-systems engineering. He spent approximately thirteen years in the West before returning to Malaysia in the early 1990s. After his return, he worked as general manager of a publishing company and helped turn the business around before pursuing entrepreneurship independently.

His entrepreneurial career developed through direct selling and e-commerce. In 1998, during the Asian financial crisis, he and his partners established a direct-selling and training business in the Philippines that later became QNET. The business combined direct selling with internet-based commerce and expanded across Asian and other emerging markets.

Eswaran co-founded the QI Group in 1998 and became its executive chairman. The Hong Kong-based group developed interests in direct selling, retail, travel and leisure, hospitality, real estate, education, training, and related services, with operations and offices across multiple countries. He has also served as a speaker and mentor at business and leadership forums, including events connected with the World Economic Forum.

His work in education led to the establishment of Quest International University in Perak. The university was established in 2008 and opened to students after a partnership involving the QI Group and the Perak state government in 2011. As founder and chairman, Eswaran supported its development as a private, research-led university in Ipoh.

In 2005, Eswaran founded the RYTHM Foundation as the QI Group's social-impact initiative. The foundation has supported projects involving education, community development, environmental protection, youth, and special-needs education. His philanthropic work also includes the Vijayaratnam Foundation, established in Malaysia in memory of his father.

Achievements

• Eswaran co-founded the QI Group in 1998 and helped develop it from a direct-selling and training enterprise into a diversified international business group with interests including retail, hospitality, travel, real estate, education, and related services.

• He established the RYTHM Foundation in 2005 as the QI Group's social-impact initiative, supporting projects in education, community development, environmental protection, youth development, and special-needs education.

• He helped establish Quest International University in Perak, contributing to the development of a private Malaysian university with research, professional, and interdisciplinary programs.

• Eswaran developed the Sphere of Silence as a practical method of daily reflection and presented it through books, lectures, and leadership programs.

Works

• inspirational book

  • In the Thinking Zone

    (A collection of observations, quotations, and reflections...)

    2008
  • On the Wings of Thought

    (A collection of inspirational reflections on success, mot...)

    2011

• self-help book

  • 18 Stepping Stones

    (A guide to eighteen concepts in Eswaran's 18 Step "A" Pla...)

    2010
  • Two Minutes from the Abyss: 11 Pillars of Life Management

    (A life-management book in which Eswaran discusses purpose...)

    2016
  • In the Sphere of Silence

    (Eswaran's first major book presents a daily period of sil...)

    2005

Views

Eswaran's personal philosophy combines entrepreneurship with spiritual reflection and service. In his writing on the Sphere of Silence, he presents daily silence as a discipline for examining one's actions, clarifying priorities, and aligning conduct with duty, knowledge, and devotion.

He has argued that spirituality and business are not contradictory, and that patience, perseverance, discipline, and responsibility apply to both personal development and enterprise. His public work also connects leadership with philanthropy, sustainability, education, and the idea that business should create positive social impact.

Quotations: "Are you with me?"

Personality

Eswaran has described himself as a proponent of value-based leadership and has emphasized perseverance, adaptability, discipline, reflection, and social responsibility in interviews and public writing.

Quotes from others about the person

• Eswaran has been described by the QI Group and other business publications as an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and philanthropist. His public reputation has been associated with the expansion of the QI Group, his advocacy of value-based leadership, and his philanthropic initiatives.

Interests

• Silence and meditation, photography, travel, public speaking, leadership development, education, sustainability, and philanthropy.

Connections

Eswaran is married to Umayal Eswaran, who has held a leadership role in the RYTHM Foundation and related philanthropic initiatives. Their public work has included support for education, community development, youth programs, and special-needs education.

Father:

Vijayaratnam Saravanamuthu

He worked with Malaysia's Ministry of Labor and was associated with Malaysian Hindu youth activities.

Mother:

Pushpavathy Chinnaiah

She was a teacher.

Wife:

Umayal Eswaran

She has held leadership roles in the RYTHM Foundation and related philanthropic initiatives.

References

• QI Group Executive Profile Corporate profile describing Eswaran's role as founder and executive chairman of the QI Group, his business career, authorship, public speaking, and philanthropy.
• Vijay Eswaran's Digital Home: Biography Biographical source covering Eswaran's education, corporate career, founding of the QI Group, philanthropic work, public speaking, and books.
• Vijay Eswaran's Digital Home: About Profile describing Eswaran's business leadership, value-based leadership, sustainability work, philanthropy, education initiatives, awards, and publications.
• Quest International University: About QIU Institutional history and description of Quest International University as a private, research-led university in Ipoh, Malaysia, launched in 2011.
• Quest International University: FAQ Institutional information describing QIU's establishment, legal status, partnership with the Perak state government, and Ipoh location.
• Dato Vijay Eswaran Conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy Account of Eswaran's receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Regional Philanthropy at the 3rd World Chinese Economic Forum.
  2011
• Vijay Eswaran Makes CEO of the Year QI Group announcement documenting Eswaran's receipt of the Malaysian Business Awards CEO of the Year recognition.
  2013
• Executive Chairman Wins Special Award for Education, Entrepreneurship and Leadership QI Group announcement documenting Eswaran's education, entrepreneurship, and leadership award at the Malaysian Education Summit.
  2014
• Vijay Eswaran Conferred with Honorary Doctorate in Economics and Global Business QI Group report documenting the honorary doctorate conferred on Eswaran by Pannasastra University Cambodia.
  2016