During my time at Sunway University, I was certainly not the most academically inclined student. Nonetheless, my years as an undergraduate student took me on a journey of reflective exploration and self-discovery. I learned the value of applying theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios, thanks to both classroom teachings and practical insights from my dedicated lecturers. This practical wisdom proved to be invaluable to my day-to-day activities.

Upon graduation, I became an event specialist, where my role largely revolved around overseeing and organising corporate events. The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging period but it presented opportunities in different forms. It was during this time that I applied my hospitality knowledge and skills to serve a younger demographic through entrepreneurship in the education industry. This marked the beginning of my first company, LINK Education Centre. The knowledge and skills in hospitality became a vital tool for managing and leading my team, particularly as the youth education service industry is essential to develop young minds’ cognitive, emotional, social and physical needs.

In addition to my business endeavours, I currently lead a youth community (NGO) that promotes unity through sports, charity, and training within the local area. These efforts demonstrate that hospitality-related skills extend beyond the traditional boundaries of hotels and tourism-related sectors. These skills can be applied effectively in social contexts to expand our networks and make a positive impact. The knowledge I gained in Malaysia has proven to be universally applicable.  

I have also engaged with international organisations, contributing to human resource development through training and development programs, thanks to the skills I attained during my studies at Sunway University. Such contributions were also covered in Indonesian newspaper articles, which I will list here:

• 5.000 Peserta Bakal Ikuti Rainbow Run di Batam, Berikut Tanggal dan Harga Pendaftarannya (Transkepri.com)
• Color Run Kembali Digelar di Batam, Targetkan 5.000 Peserta (Batam Pos)

What gives me a sense of reward is knowing that these youth events can boost sports tourism and attract tourist arrivals to Batam. It further empowered me to collaborate with primary stakeholders, including government agencies to promote local tourism.

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the lecturers and administrators at Sunway University for their dedication in providing quality education and administrative support, especially to international students like myself who have always felt welcomed in Malaysia.

During my time at Sunway University, I learnt tremendously about being independent. Being an international student, I learnt how to take care of myself, organise the schedule for my classes, work, and other commitments, and prioritise responsibilities. Being independent has significantly shaped my current career as an individual, an organisational leader, a community leader, and a responsible husband and father.

Today, I run an education centre with two offices and actively participate in community initiatives aimed at youth training and development in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. This allowed me to continue learning from people of diverse backgrounds, which I can then apply to benefit my community and workplace. In running my own company, my focus has shifted from self-promotion to considering the sustainability of my business, the growth and well-being of my team, and delivering high-quality services to students. With my passion for the education service industry, I have also recently established a private school for kindergarten and primary students, where I have been appointed chairman. Additionally, I am also running for Chairman of the Indonesia Chinese Youth Association (Ikatan Pemuda Tionghoa Indonesia) Batam.

In summary, I have learned to stay open-minded, humble, and committed to lifelong learning. I strive to be kind, sincere, and faithful in my interactions with others, valuing the importance of these qualities in both personal and professional endeavours. My education journey at Sunway University was indeed a stepping stone to the many opportunities in my career and community engagement.