SMU alumnus Oon Tian Sern and now Founder and Chief Executive of Acceset, has been named as one of the two winners of the fourth and final Queen’s Young Leaders Award. He joins the ranks of a roughly 240-strong network of outstanding youth recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for stepping up to transform the lives of others in their communities. Acceset is a social enterprise online portal for people to discuss mental health issues and seek help anonymously.
Upon completing his studies at SMU in March 2017, he used about $10,000 from his savings – meant to repay his university student loan – and a $10,000 grant from the Community Leaders Forum Projects Fund, a seed grant that supports innovative projects by young people, to start Acceset.
SMU Assistant Professor of Strategic Management (Education) Millie Su who taught Mr Oon in her entrepreneurship class, said, "Tian Sern is observant and critical about what he learns...He not only has these qualities but he is willing to take action to find solutions."