David Phu An Chiem (born 15 December 1969), better known as David Chiem, is a Vietnamese-born Australian entrepreneur, author and actor. He is the Founder CEO and Executive Chairman of MindChamps Preschool Limited.[1] MindChamps has over 80 centres globally.[2]
David Chiem | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | David Phu An Chiem 15 December 1969 Rạch Giá, Vietnam |
| Nationality | Vietnamese |
| Citizenship | Australian |
| Education | Australian Film, Television and Radio School University of Technology Sydney |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur Actor Author |
| Known for | MindChamps |
He is the first Asian to have a major role in a mainstream Australian television drama series, Butterfly Island.[3] He has written a number of books, one of them, Only the Heart, has been used as a set text in Australian schools.
Early life
editBorn in Rach Gia, Vietnam, David and his family fled Vietnam and arrived in Australia as refugees in 1978.[4]
On his first day in school, he couldn't speak a word of English and he remembers been called 'stupid' by another student, because he didn't understand the teacher when she asked him for his name. This experience, and the fact that education was highly prized by his family, would have a major impact on his career choices.[5]
He graduated from University of Technology Sydney where he received a BA in communications, and earned a master's degree in film-making from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS).[6]
Career
editWhen he was 14 years old, he was selected to play an starring role on "Butterfly Island" and became the first Asian to be given a starring role on mainstream Australian television drama series.[4]
While studying the craft of filmmaking, he had an epiphany. He became fascinated by the idea that there could be another way of teaching children. They faced far greater demands on their education than previous generations, so, instead of rote learning, drilling and memorising content, why not help children to understand how to learn and more importantly develop the mindset of enthusiastic, life-long learners?[7]
As a result, he founded MindChamps, a ground-breaking early learning educational organisation.[8][9]
MindChamps' approach to education is based on strategies derived from research in ‘the 4 Domains’ of Neuroscience, Psychology, Education and Theatre. Since its inception in Sydney, MindChamps has grown from point zero to achieving the number one brand position in the highly competitive Singapore premium preschool space, with a market share of 38.5%.[10]
Published books
editDavid is also a published author, and has written two novels with Brian Caswell, Only the Heart and The Full Story.[11] The books have been nominated or shortlisted for a number of Australian literary awards, including New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards.[12] Only the Heart has been used as a set text for many years in Australian schools.[6]
Other books by Chiem include the parenting and educational book Deeper than the Ocean, and its follow-up The Art of Communicating With Your Child as well as Pre-school Parenting Secrets – Talking with the Sky. He also co-authored The 3-Mind Revolution an educational psychology book with Caswell.[13]
Awards & Accolades
editIn recognition of his achievements as a business leader and entrepreneur, David Chiem has received many awards and accolades over the years.
- In 2008, he received the Top Entrepreneur-Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Rotary-ASME.[14]
- In 2010, he received the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards [15]
- In 2014, The Peak Magazine recognised David Chiem as one of ten outstanding individuals to be in their year-end power list.[16]
- In 2019, David was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Singapore (AustCham).[17]
- In 2022, David was awarded “ASIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ENTREPRENEUR” at the 2022 Fortune Times Awards Ceremony.[18]
References
edit- ^ "Our Team". MindChamps. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "The MindChamps Story". MindChamps. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Chiem, David Phu An (1985). "Butterfly Island - Series 1 Episode 1".
- ^ a b Alexis Carey (4 March 2019). "Incredible rags-to-riches story behind Aussie entrepreneur's success". news.com.au.
- ^ "MindChamps". issuu. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ a b Wong Kim Hoh (22 January 2017). "It Changed My Life: An ex-refugee finds his way up with an champion mindset". The Straits Times.
- ^ "MindChamps". issuu. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "The Peak Power List 2014: David Chiem". The Peak. 15 August 2015.
- ^ "MindChamps Spurs Education Revolution for Tomorrow's World". SIAS.
- ^ "MindChamps". issuu. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "UQP - The Full Story". www.uqp.uq.edu.au. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "David Phu An Chiem". Auslit.
- ^ "The 3-Mind Revolution". www.worldscientific.com. doi:10.1142/10303. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "From Ground Zero to Market Leader and now to the World!". www.mis.org.sg. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Singapore Hall of Fame 2010". apea.asia.
- ^ Cheong, Germaine (7 November 2014). "The Peak Power List 2014: True grit". The Peak Magazine. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Access Asia Magazine Aug / Sept 2019: Excellence in Australian Business by AustCham Singapore - Issuu". issuu.com. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ aria (14 December 2022). "David Chiem, Founder CEO and Executive Chairman of MindChamps Preschool Limited, Was Awarded "ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL ENTREPRENEUR" at the 2022 Fortune Times Awards Ceremony | NewFortuneTimes.com". Retrieved 9 February 2024.