Remember Mr. Kenneth Liang (Former President of SQI & Former Chairperson and Honorary Board Director of ANQ, as well as Former SQI representative in WACQ)

An incredibly sad news received from Mr. Johnson Tan Swan San (Chairman, SQI) on 16^th Apr 2026 that Mr. Kenneth Liang (Former President of SQI & Former Chairperson and Honorary Board Director of ANQ) passed away on 14^th Apr 2026. Mr. Liang had significant contributions to the advancement of quality practices across the region in Asia Network for Quality (ANQ) and World Alliance for Chinese Quality (WACQ). I on behalf of Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) expressed hearty condolences to Mr. Kenneth Liang’s family, friends and colleagues.

(Mr. Kenneth Liang chaired ANQ Congress 2014 in Singapore.)

ANQ

The last time we met onsite was in ANQ 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand (before Covid-19). I summarized some of our meeting in ANQ and WACQ below for memory.

Minda and I visited Singapore and had dinner with Kenneth’s family on 22^nd Feb 2019.

In 2018, we joined the ANQ Congress in Almathy Kazakhstan. 

I took a photo with Kenneth and SQI team during the tea break in ANQ 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

During the gala dinner, Kenneth and Prof. Phulporn invited all participants to dancing together.

He also joined ANQ 2016 Vladivostok, Russia and seat in head table during gala dinner.

I took a photo with Mr. Kenneth Liang (SQI) and Prof. Yung-Ho Suh (KSQM) in ANQ Congress 2015 in Taipei.

During gala dinner, Kenneth led SQI team and invited us to sing a song.

SQI was held the ANQ Congress 2014 in Singapore and Kenneth led the whole event.

Photo taken with Mr. Peter Fung (HKSQ), Mr. Kenneth Liang (SQI) and Dr. Panisuan Jamnarnwej (SQAT).

In the closing session of ANQ Congress 2014, Kenneth presented best paper award certificate to me.

During the gala dinner, we sang a song together.

In ANQ Congress 2013 Bangkok, Kenneth took a group photo with the best paper awardees.

After ANQ Congress 2012 in Hong Kong, we had ceremony dinner. Kenneth and Alice sang a song with us.

In ANQ Congress 2011 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Mr. Kenneth Liang was one of panelists in a special session “Certification Scheme for Asian Quality Profession”.

We joined technical visit to Oppama Plant of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd in Japan.

Our first photo was found in ANQ Congress 2008 in Thailand. Our group photo was taken in ANQ Annual General Meeting on 28^th Oct 2008.

During gala dinner, we took a photo together.

WACQ (Previous CQF)

For Mr. Kenneth Liang contribution to WACQ, I summarized the following photos for memory. He participated the first Chinese Quality Forum (CQF) in Taipei in 2012.

We had happy dinner after the first CQF.

He also joined the 2^nd CQF in CityUHK and he was one of panelists.

The 3^rd Chinese Quality Forum (CQF) was organized by CAQ. 

We visited Beijing Yanjing Beer Group Corporation.

After the 3^rd CQF, we found the World Alliance for Chinese Quality (WACQ) and the 1^st World Summit for Chinese Quality was held in Hong Kong. Kenneth was representative of SQI. 

We had happy dinner after the summit.

I took a photo for Kenneth and Alice.

Before the 3^rd World Summit for Chinese Quality, we arrived Singapore and had lunch with Kenneth and Alice.

During the summit, we also took a photo for memory.

The World Alliance for Chinese Quality (WACQ) meeting for the 3rd World Summit for Chinese Quality was held in Kazakhstan before ANQ 2018 on 17^th Sep 2018. Kenneth joined the meeting too.

Our Quality Communities has missed out on world-class quality leader. Remember Mr. Kenneth Liang’s contribution in ANQ and WACQ, as well as Singapore Service Quality. RIP.

Reference:

ANQ

20191023: ANQ Congress 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand – Day 1 (Part A) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2019/10/anq-congress-2019-in-bangkok-thailand.html

20190222: Dinner with Kenneth and Alice family (SQI) in Hong Kong - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2019/02/dinner-with-kenneth-and-alice-family.html

20180917: Pre-ANQ Congress 2018 – WACQ Meeting in Kazakhstan - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/09/pre-anq-congress-2018-wacq-meeting-in.html

20180919: ANQ Congress 2018 Almaty, Kazakhstan – Day 1 (Part A) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/09/anq-congress-2018-almaty-kazakhstan-day.html

20171107: Dinner with Alice from Singapore (SQI) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2017/11/dinner-with-alice-from-singapore-sqi.html

20170920: ANQ Congress 2017 Kathmandu, Nepal – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2017/09/anq-congress-2017-kathmandu-nepal-day-1_20.html

20160922: ANQ Congress 2016 Vladivostok, Russia – Gala Dinner - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2016/09/anq-congress-2016-vladivostok-russia_91.html

20150923: ANQ Congress 2015 Taipei – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2015/09/anq-congress-2015-taipei-day-1.html

20150924: ANQ Congress 2015 Taipei – Gala Dinner - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2015/09/anq-congress-2015-taipei-gala-dinner.html

20140812: ANQ Congress 2014 Singapore – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2014/08/anq-congress-2014-singapore-day-1.html

20140813: ANQ Congress 2014 Singapore – Gala Dinner & Technical Visit - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2014/08/anq-congress-2014-singapore-gala-dinner.html

20131018: ANQ Congress 2013 Bangkok – Day 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2013/10/anq-congress-2013-bangkok-day-2.html

20120808: Post-ANQ Congress Networking and Ceremony Dinner - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2019/02/dinner-with-kenneth-and-alice-family.html

20110930: ANQ 2011 - Day 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2011/09/anq-2011-day-2.html

20090918: ANQ 2009 Technical Visit to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Oppama Plant) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2009/09/anq-2009-technical-visit-to-nissan.html

20081030: ANQ 2008 (Part 4 - Farewell Dinner) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2008/10/anq-2008-part-4.html

WACQ

20120526: The first meeting for the Chinese Quality Forum (華人品質論壇) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2012/05/first-meeting-for-chinese-quality-forum.html

20140315: The 2nd Chinese Quality Forum (華人品質論壇) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-2nd-chinese-quality-forum.html

20151115: The 15th China Quality Award cum Chinese Quality Forum – Day 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-15th-china-quality-award-cum_5.html

20160708: The 1st World Summit for Chinese Quality - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-1st-world-summit-for-chinese-quality.html

20181107: Per – The 3rd World Summit for Chinese Quality (WSCQ) Visit - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/11/per-3rd-world-summit-for-chinese.html

20181108: The 3rd World Summit for Chinese Quality (WSCQ) – Day 1 (Part A) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-3rd-world-summit-for-chinese.html

Remember Dr Panisuan Jamnarnwej (President of SQAT & Chairperson of ANQ from 2019 to 2020)

A deeply sad news received from Prof. Kano’s email on 14^th Jan 2026 entitled “Eulogy for the Late Dr. Panisuan Jamarnwej” that we lost Dr Panisuan Jamnarnwej (President of SQAT & Chairperson of ANQ from 2019 to 2020) ANQ quality professional and leader in Thailand in 2026. I on behalf of Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) expressed hearty condolences to Dr. Panisuan Jamnarnwej’s family, friends and colleagues. Prof. Kano had gave us a detailed contribution by Dr. Panisuan on ANQ and SQAT and I attached his email at the end of the blog. 

The last time we met onsite was in ANQ 2023 in Vietnam. I summarized some of our meeting in ANQ for memory.

Dr. Panisuan Jamnarnwej (SQAT) performed a harmonica for famous Chinese (Beach of Shanghai - 上海灘) and Japanese song (昴 すばる). He had studied harmonica since he was 6 years old!

In Covid-19 period, Dr. Panisuan Jamnarnwej (SQAT) attended ANQ 2020 Seoul, Korea by online mode.

ANQ 2019 in Bangkok, we met onsite. At the end, he past the ANQ flag to Prof. Wan Seon Shin (KSQM) at the end of congress.

We also met on ANQ 2014 in Singapore.

In ANQ 2013 Bangkok, he was organization committee chairman and gave a greeting speech.

He also presented the best paper award to CityUHK PhD student Ms. Meiyan Lin and her paper named “A Genetic Algorithm for Elderly Day Care Center Timetabling”.

The earliest photo I found was in ANQ 2012 Hong Kong. We took a photo in SQAT/SQI table during gala dinner.

Remember Dr Panisuan Jamnarnwej’s contribution in ANQ and Thailand Quality. RIP.

Chakkrit Metchanun (@chakkritm)

December 31, 2025

Brother Panisuan left us at 11:40 AM today.

Remark: Dr. Noriaki Kano’s email attached below.

Ms Prof. Pranee Jongsutjarittam

President of Technological Promotion Association（Thai-Japan）（TPA） 

2026/1/10

Eulogy for the Late Dr Panisuan Jamnarnwej

Upon learning of the passing of Dr Panisuan, we wish to express our deepest condolences and profound sorrow.

Dr. Panisuan was mentored by Ms. Dr. Phulporn Saengbangpla, and for many years he supported her work with unwavering dedication. He made exceptional contributions to the promotion of quality improvement in Thailand. His achievements were widely recognized, both within Thailand and throughout the Asian quality management community. He was, without question, a true leader who spearheaded quality development in his country and across Asia.

When the Asian Network for Quality, ANQ, was being established in 2002, I, Dr Noriaki Kano, as one of the four founders of this organization, consulted Dr Paritud, an associate professor at Chulalongkorn University at the time, about the idea, Dr Paritud had been a friend of mine since 1989. He brought the proposal to his mentor, Dr Phulporn. At that time, Thailand had two separate organizations - one focused on standardization and the other on quality.   Through discussion with Dr Paritud and others, Dr Phulporn integrated these two organizations to establish the Standardization and Quality Association for Thailand (SQAT). As its first president, she participated in the founding of the ANQ from the outset and laid the foundation for its future development.

Dr Panisuan then succeeded Dr Phulporn as President of SQAT. He demonstrated outstanding leadership as an ANQ Board member. Notably, by hosting the ANQ Congress three times in Bangkok, he significantly raised the profile of both Thailand and SQAT within the Asian quality community. Dr. Panisuan went on to serve as Chairperson of ANQ from 2019 to 2020, and continued thereafter as an ANQ Board Member dedicating himself to advancing the cause of quality in Asia.

Meanwhile, I have been involved in promoting TQM within Thai companies through the Technological Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) (TPA) since 1977. Recognizing this, the TPA established the Kano Quality Award (KQA, 2009) to further promote TQM within Thai companies. Dr. Panisuan was entrusted with the role of chairing the examining committee after Dr Phulporn. I hold the deepest respect for the many years in which they carried this significant responsibility, making a great contribution to spreading quality in Thai industries through KQA promotion.

As I have mentioned, alongside Dr Phulporn, Dr Panisuan was a key figure in quality promotion in Thailand, an exceptional leader who made invaluable contributions to ANQ's development.

We are profoundly sorry for the loss of such a distinguished leader who guided Asian quality activities for so many years. I am also deeply devastated by the loss of a friend and comrade-in-arms. As we honor Dr. Panisuan's remarkable achievements, we pray for his eternal rest and offer our deepest condolences to his grieving family.

Dr Noriaki Kano

Honorary Professor, Tokyo University of Science (TUS)

Honorary Chairman, Asian Network for Quality (ANQ)

Honorary Member, International Academy for Quality (IAQ) 

Reference:

20231018: ANQ Congress 2023, in Phy My, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Vietnam – Day 1 (Part A – Opening Ceremony) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2023/10/anq-congress-2023-in-phy-my-ba-ria-vung_18.html

20231019: ANQ Congress 2023, in Phy My, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Vietnam – Gala Dinner - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2023/10/anq-congress-2023-in-phy-my-ba-ria-vung_32.html

20201022: ANQ Congress 2020 in Seoul, Korea – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2020/10/anq-congress-2020-in-seoul-korea-day-1.html

20191024: ANQ Congress 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand – Day 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2019/10/anq-congress-2019-in-bangkok-thailand_24.html

20140812: ANQ Congress 2014 Singapore – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2014/08/anq-congress-2014-singapore-day-1.html

20131018: ANQ Congress 2013 Bangkok – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2013/10/anq-congress-2013-bangkok-day-1.html

20131018: ANQ Congress 2013 Bangkok – Day 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2013/10/anq-congress-2013-bangkok-day-2.html

20120803: ANQ Congress 2012 – Banquet - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2012/08/anq-congress-2012-banquet.html

Prof. Hong Sung-Hoon (Former President, KSQM) visit PolyU 2026

Prof. Hong Sung-Hoon (Professor of industrial engineering at Chonbuk National University in Korea; Former President of the Korean Society for Quality Management (KSQM)) and Mrs. Hong visited Hong Kong from 7^th to 10^th Jan 2026 and visited Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 7^th Jan 2025. We always meet at the ANQ Congress. We took a photo in front of the Department of Computing, PolyU.

Then we visited University Library. Before that Prof. Hong and Mrs. Hong took a photo in front of the university logo.

We took a photo together and then entered the library.

They also visited our university gallery that showed the development history of PolyU in Hong Kong.

Afterwards, we visited the PolyU Jockey Club Innovation Tower, which usually host performances that combine art and technology. We took photos in front of the tower.

I showed Prof. Hong the lecture hall inside the Innovation Tower.

And then we took a photo of our university's motto: "Learn and apply for the benefit of mankind."

Finally, I showed them around our new staff restaurant, "U Garden." Since they had another appointment in Tsim Sha Tsui, we didn't have time for afternoon tea there.

Lastly, we took a photo at the entrance of PolyU and then took the MTR to leave.

Prof. Hong told me that he joined ANQ 2012 in Hong Kong and his daughter performed PSY Gangnam Style during dala dinner.

Reference:

COMP - https://www.polyu.edu.hk/comp/

KSQM - https://ksqm.org/

HKSQ - https://hksq.org/

20221022: ANQ Congress 2020 in Seoul, Korea – Day 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2020/10/anq-congress-2020-in-seoul-korea-day-1.html

20120803: ANQ Congress 2012 – Banquet - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2012/08/anq-congress-2012-banquet.html