Dr Deling Ma has been recognised for his contribution to the Brisbane community at the Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards, 2024.
In November 2024, Dr Deling Ma, owner of MPL Training Centre, won the annual award for Multicultural Business Person of the Year. Dr Ma was one of four winners of Brisbane City Council’s Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards, which were presented at Brisbane City Hall.
The award recognises Dr Ma as a successful multicultural Brisbane business leader and his contribution to the Brisbane economy. It acknowledges him as a local champion of enterprise who has a global outlook for his business.
Dr Ma received the honour for his work as a successful research scientist, entomologist and business owner. After earning his PhD from the University of Queensland in 2001, he worked on a number of R&D projects that resulted in the development of five patented biopesticides that are widely used in the production of organic foods, significantly reducing the use of toxic insecticides.
In 2005, he transitioned from research and development to urban pest management, specialising in delivering in eco-friendly pest control solutions. With a desire to utilise his knowledge, he founded Eco-Global Termite Doctor in 2008, initially focusing on a unique niche market – the local Chinese community. Today, the company continues to grow, offering general pest services and termite work in all Greater Brisbane areas to all communities.
In 2019, Dr Ma became the owner and principal of MPL Training Centre, which provides pest management training across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. He also runs a successful crop solutions business exporting innovative foliar fertilisers to China, generating revenues for Australia and creating job opportunities on the Gold Coast, from where the company operates.
“Brisbane is home to some incredible multicultural business owners who make living and working in our city even better, and we are proud to celebrate their success,” said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. “Each year these awards recognise the talent, innovation and resilience our businesses continue to show across a range of industries”.
Dr Ma strongly believes that ‘teamwork makes the dream work’. “This award does not belong to me; it goes to everyone in my business,” said Dr Ma in his acceptance speech.
He acknowledged the MPL training manager Shane Rich, principal entomologist Gary Cochrane, senior trainer/assessor Ray Brookes, Eco-Global business partners Enzo Pilotti and LG Liu, and his UQ PhD supervisors, the world-renowned entomological professors Myron Zalucki and Prof. Gordon Gordh.
“Without the mentorship from my UQ Professors, the combined and dedicated efforts of MPL and Eco- Global staff, this award would be just a dream, we did this all together!” said Dr Ma.
