Vijay Eswaran is best known as a prominent Asian business and thought leader.  In 1998 at the height of the Asian Financial Crisis, when businesses in Asia were plagued with uncertainty, and the markets preferred a conservative approach, Vijay saw opportunities instead and founded an e-commerce based business that would eventually evolve into the QI Group.

Today, the QI Group is a diversified multinational conglomerate with business interests in e-commerce based direct selling, travel and leisure, retail, financial services, real estate, and education and employs over 2000 people worldwide, operating in over 30 countries

An advocate of value-based leadership,  Vijay has ensured the QI Group adheres to sustainable practices in business, making a positive impact in the communities it operates, along with across-the-board no meat and no plastic policy to help combat climate change.

Eswaran has also been recognised as a philanthropist, a seasoned orator, author, and change advocate. He has committed 10% of the Groups revenues towards the RYTHM Foundation, the social impact initiative of the QI Group. The Foundation contributes to projects that work towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals on Gender Equality, Quality Education, and Sustainable Community Development.

Vijay is a firm believer in the power of the youth to shape a better world for the future. As part of his personal mission to guide the next generation of leaders, he has established the Quest International University, located in Malaysia. His aim is to turn the university into an Ivy League institution of the East. Currently, more than 2000 students from around 30 countries have entrusted the Quest International University with their future.

Vijay Eswaran is the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for his contribution to business, philanthropy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.  He has been featured in Forbes Asia’s annual list of Heroes of Philanthropy in 2011. Other honours include  Special Award for Education, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership at the 18th Malaysian Education Summit, CEO of the Year at the Malaysian Business Awards, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and Lifetime Achievement Award for Global Entrepreneurship.

Eswaran has also been recognised as a philanthropist, a seasoned orator, author, and change advocate. He has committed 10% of the Groups revenues towards the RYTHM Foundation, the social impact initiative of the QI Group. The Foundation contributes to projects that work towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals on Gender Equality, Quality Education, and Sustainable Community Development.

Vijay is a firm believer in the power of the youth to shape a better world for the future. As part of his personal mission to guide the next generation of leaders, he has established the Quest International University, located in Malaysia. His aim is to turn the university into an Ivy League institution of the East. Currently, more than 2000 students from around 30 countries have entrusted the Quest International University with their future.

Vijay Eswaran is the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for his contribution to business, philanthropy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.  He has been featured in Forbes Asia’s annual list of Heroes of Philanthropy in 2011. Other honours include  Special Award for Education, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership at the 18th Malaysian Education Summit, CEO of the Year at the Malaysian Business Awards, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and Lifetime Achievement Award for Global Entrepreneurship.

Vijay Eswaran and his wife Umayal talk to children from Footprints Mentoring Program

In 2021, Vijay and his wife Umayal were recognized in the 2021 Indiaspora Philanthropy Leaders List that celebrated 100 leaders from the global Indian Diaspora community who have made a significant impact with their philanthropic vision and contributions.

A seasoned orator and prominent thought leader, he is a regular speaker at major international forums, such as the World Economic Forum‘s Davos Agenda, the Horasis Visionary Circle, ASEAN Leadership Forums, and the Concordia Global Summit.

A prolific writer, he has published several books which include the bestselling In the Sphere of Silence and Two Minutes from The Abyss.  He regularly contributes written pieces to The Good Men Project and Thrive Global, where he shares his views on leadership, entrepreneurship, and life management. His writing has also appeared in the Harvard Business Review.

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