Page 2 of 2 Brother Michael Jacques became the first Asian to be elevated to the post of Assistant Superior General for Asia in 1966, a post that required him to be based in Rome until 1976. He was responsible for the Brothers’ Communities and Schools in Burma, Ceylon, Pakistan, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Throughout his tenure of ten years in this capacity, Brother Michael Jacques guided and moderated the forces of change affecting the Brothers’ work in one country after another. Upon his return from Rome in 1977 having served as a member of the Brothers’ Rule Committee (July 1966 to October, 1977), he again became Brother Visitor, a post he held until his retirement in 1985. Even in his retirement and now at a golden age of 91, he serves in different capacities in the various State and National School Councils/Boards always having the students at heart. Presently, he is, the Advisor to the Malayan Christian Schools Council, the Malaysian Federation of La Sallian Associations, the Xaverian Club Kuala Lumpur and the St. Francis’ Club, Kuala Lumpur – not mentioning his involvement at the Boards of Governors and Managers of several Lasallian Schools as well as of Stella Maris Primary and Secondary Schools. He is the Founder and Animator of Signum Fidei, - an Educator’s group. Apart from his contributions in the educative field, he has been the motivating factor in the establishment of Yayasan De La Salle (a foundation that helps promote the Lasallian Heritage). He was an original member of the Board but has since retired. He sits on the Board of Yayasan Tan Sri Dominic Vendargon, a Catholic education Foundation.. Over a span of over 50 years, Brother Michael Jacques contributed much to education in this country. In recognition of his services, he was awarded the AHLI MANGKU NEGARA (A.M.N.) by His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 1963 and the State Meritorious Award of PINGAT JASA KEBANGSAAN (P.J.K.) in 1992 by the Government of Penang. In December, 2001, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines bestowed on him the degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa. Brother Michael Jacques is an epitome of the Society of La Salle Brothers and their 155 years' educative contributions in Malaysia. He commands the respect of all La Sallian students, past and present, their parents and the teachers in the La Sallian schools in this part of the world. Brother Michael leads an exemplary life. The values that he imparts as a teacher/mentor have a positive influence over the tens of thousands whose lives he has touched. It is interesting to note that, he introduced co-education (first of its kind in the Brothers' schools) to St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang in 1954 when as Brother Director of the school, by admitting students from the Penang Light Street Convent into the sixth form. I remember at one of his birthday dinners hosted by his charges, he impressed upon all present that: “Everyone has a place on this earth to accomplish a mission, but not all would be able to comprehend it. It is important to carry out our duties with dedication and responsibility, and once we have done this, we would have fulfilled our mission.”
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