The Association of Malaysians in Western Australia AMWA

Dr Tan is a Principal Research Scientist (Post-Harvest) and has 30 years experience in horticulture, especially in post-harvest research & extension, cold chain logistics, supply chain management and training. He has carried out research and extension into packaging, storage, transportation, quality improvement, shelf life extension, control of storage disorders, plant secondary compound metabolism, commercial trial shipments on fruit and vegetables in assisting the development of overseas markets for Western Australia .

Dr Tan has published 176 articles, including 66 in refereed scientific journals and book chapters. He has also written two books. One book was written in Malay Language (Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, Malaysia ), the other was written in Chinese and published in China .

2001 – Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Excellent Award (Customer Service-Metropolitan)

The Award was given to Dr Tan in recognition for his outstanding services to exporters and producers in developing new trade opportunities through the Country Focus Project.

2001 – Category Winner (Targeting Taiwan - An Export Success Story): Economic Development Category, 2001 Western Australian Premier's Award.

Dr Tan was the Project Manager of Focus Taiwan Project that aimed to develop stronger relationships between agricultural, fisheries and food sectors in Western Australia and Taiwan . Focus Taiwan Project effectively assisted Western Australian agricultural industries in developing new trade to Taiwan and attracting investments into Western Australia.

2001 – Zhejiang Province, China West Lake Friendship Award:

The certificate of West Lake Friendship and West Lake Friendship Medal were awarded to Dr Tan in appreciation of his enthusiastic support for Zhejiang Province 's construction and his friendly co-operation, especially in the post-harvest area.

1999 – The People's Republic of China Friendship Award:

Dr Tan received the prestigious Friendship Award from the People's Republic of China in 1999. He was the first person in Western Australia to receive such an honour. Friendship Award is the greatest honour given to foreign experts by the Chinese government for outstanding contribution and dedication to the country's social and economic development. Dr Tan's contribution was to improve post-harvest handling technologies of fruit and vegetables and cool chain management in China by conducting workshops, training courses and technical exchanges.

1998 – Shandong Province (QiLu) Friendship Award:

Dr Tan was Western Australia 's first recipient of the Shandong Province 's QiLu Friendship Award. He received the award for his works in postharvest technologies and his contribution to strengthening relationships between China and Western Australia by promoting technical, cultural and personnel exchanges.