MR DAVID Chiem, founder of MindChamps Holdings, learnt from his father the importance of education, and, today, he heads one of the foremost mind development institutions in Singapore.
From possessing almost nothing, Mr Chiem, 38, has started a company that goes one step beyond learning to focus on mind development.
The Vietnam-born achiever settled in Australia with his family when he was nine years old. He topped his school in Australia in English - a language he started out barely knowing.
He then obtained a degree in communications and subsequently completed a master's degree in film-making from the Australian Film and Television school. It is little wonder that he ventured into the business of learning.
He explains how MindChamps Holdings is different from other learning companies.
'At MindChamps, we pride ourselves in having a unique method that is based on scientifically validated research. We are the only ones in the field of mind development to combine the latest research findings from four different domains: education, psychology, neuroscience and - unique to MindChamps - the world of theatre,' he says.
He adds that MindChamps also works with a world-renowned neuroscientist, Professor Allan Snyder, to come up with its programmes.
These include harnessing the potential of the non-conscious mind, developing memory and learning strategies, study skills, using the latest cutting-edge educational psychology, neuroscience and brain-mapping technologies.
It conducts courses for students and also runs a pre-school.
Apart from education, Mr Chiem also makes sure the company meets its social responsibilities. In November last year, MindChamps representatives went to Siem Reap in Cambodia to visit an orphanage and presented the students with basic school and food items.
Last month, together with the Hong Leong Foundation, MindChamps helped 60 students from low-income households to undergo MindChamps' training to prepare for their PSLE next year.
Mr Chiem has big plans to expand globally, first into Asia, then to the Middle- East, United States and Europe. MindChamps has a branch in Hong Kong and is starting school holiday classes in Kuala Lumpur.
Within Singapore, MindChamps is opening 20 pre-school centres next year.
Mr Chiem says: 'We will also be launching MindSpace this year, an innovative after-school club concept for students. The club, which is initially meant for students in Primary 5 and 6, is the result of over 10 years of extensive research and development into what goes in the ideal environment for students preparing for pressure-filled examinations like the PSLE.'
On being a top entrepreneur in EYA, he says: 'Having achieved the title of top entrepreneur validates what I have been doing, but this is only the beginning. My vision is to take MindChamps to the world and enable people to discover the champion in themselves.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times on October 22, 2008.
