Visionary receives UQ’s highest honour

Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby AM acknowledged the lessons learned in challenging times as he received the University of Queensland’s highest honour yesterday.

Mr Sinnathamby was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for his service as a community leader, philanthropist and as an entrepreneur driving the development of Springfield city, southwest of Brisbane.

“This is a tremendous honour and I thank the University of Queensland,” Mr Sinnathamby said.

“I had the privilege of addressing graduates at the ceremony. I told them how failure had been one of my best motivations.

“I learned from failure. During my engineering degree at university, my father wrote to me and told me that the darkest night brings the brightest dawn. He was right.

“And I told the graduates that as you think, so you will become. So, think big.”

The University of Queensland recognised Mr Sinnathamby as a “visionary entrepreneur” for his “commitment to philanthropy, community welfare and initiatives that uplift and empower communities”.

The university singled out Springfield City Group’s passion for education through its 22 early learning centres, 12 schools and a university campus in a city that now features more than 50,000 residents.

Mr Sinnathamby was awarded the Honorary Doctorate (“Doctor of Business honoris causa”) at the University of Queensland’s mid-year graduation ceremonies.

“Honorary Doctorates acknowledge those whose exceptional achievements have made a unique and lasting contribution to the community,” UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said.

The honour adds to Mr Sinnathamby’s achievements including the Centenary Medal, the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International, and the Australian Institute of Management Medal for Management Innovation.

Mr Sinnathamby was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for “his significant service to the building and construction industry, and to the community”.