(From left) Perbadanan Nasional Bhd managing director Dato’ Syed Kamarulzaman Dato’ Syed Zainol Khodki Shahabudin, Wang, Ong, Sum, Jamil and Palon cut the ribbon at the opening of the Smart Reader® International Language and Enrichment Centre in Melbourne.
KUCHING: Smart Reader® Worldwide reached a new milestone when it launched the Smart Reader® International Language and Enrichment Centre in Melbourne, Australia, recently.
According to a press statement, the centre is Smart Reader® Worldwide’s newest to make its presence felt globally.
Deputy Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong, who officiated at the launch, said the expansion of the Smart Reader® Worldwide into Australia was a testament of an adaptable, comprehensive and economical business franchise approach from Malaysia.
“A franchise’s expansion into other countries will accelerate domestic economic growth by creating an ecosystem based on reliability, innovation, and sustainability.
“Smart Reader® Worldwide leads in delivering child enrichment and pre-school education for future leaders the world. Great opportunities are within our reach as Malaysian businesses have penetrated the international market, example of the trust and interest future clients and partners have in domestic products and services,” he said.
Smart Reader® Worldwide CEO Datuk Seri Dr Richard Ong in his welcoming speech said the Melbourne centre was part of the company’s efforts to expand its ideas and visions across the globe.
The centre, which offers English and Mandarin programmes, started operation in February 2016, and received great response from local and foreign parents within the region.
“Smart Reader® Worldwide has established more than 300 franchised centres in Malaysia with more than 150 on foreign shores. Through an evolving approach towards children’s enrichment and early childhood education, we have accomplished much within 30 years.”
Plans are being made to provide more of what Smart Reader® Worldwide has to offer communities in the region.
“Part of this initiative is the addition of two more programmes that are Smart Maths for tutoring in maths and Smart Arts Innovators to nurture the artistic side of young minds.
“With these steps in the pipeline, Smart Reader® Worldwide hopes to see greater success and earn the support of communities in the region and globally,” he said.
During the opening ceremony, children and guests were treated to outstanding performances by the centre’s pupils such as rendition of English songs by Chinese students and Mandarin songs by Australian students.
One of the parents, Paul Watterson, said his boys love Smart Reader® and are picking up Mandarin quickly, while another parent Angela Armstrong said she would recommend the centre to anyone as her two sons are enthusiastic about school.
“Blake and Marcus both look forward to Smart Reader® each week. The English Programme is helping Marcus get ready for school next year, cementing letters and sounds for learning to read. Blake has grown in confidence learning Mandarin over a relatively short space of time. We recommend anyone interested to give it a trial,” she said.
Among those present were Ministry of Domestic Trade, Corporation and Consumerism secretary-general Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh, Malaysian Consul General in Melbourne Westmoreland Palon, Smart Reader® Worldwide Group executive director Datin Sri Dato’ Dr KH Wang, Smart Reader® Worldwide executive director Kevan Ong as well as Smart Reader® International Language and Enrichment Centre in Melbourne franchisees Ong Joon Seng and Ashley Ong.
Smart Reader® Kids franchise business model has skyrocketed from humble beginnings to be a presence in more than 300 centres nationwide and another 150 centres internationally.
Apart from Australia, the franchise has branched out into China, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, the Philippines and United Arab Emirates. Latest international ventures are Qatar, Nigeria and Indonesia.
Educational programmes offered by Smart Reader® Worldwide are Smart Reader Kids®, Smart Reader Kids® Islamic, Smart Reader Kids® Mandarin Medium, Smart Reader Kids® Intensive English Programme™ and Smart Reader Kids++® franchise programmes.
For more information on Smart Reader® Worldwide’s programmes or events, call 03-6279 5555 (KL office), 082-232 555 (Kuching office), 088-702 757 (Kota Kinabalu office) or SMARTLine at 1300 885 555.
Alternatively, visit www.smartreader.edu.my or logon its Facebook page under smartreaderworldwide, Instagram at smartreaderworldwide or Twitter at Smartreader_SRW.