My journey with Sunway has been a deeply meaningful part of my life. When I first enrolled in the Foundation in Arts programme at Sunway College, I did not know where this journey would take me. I simply took the first step and gradually discovered my interest in marketing through my studies, experiences and the people I met along the way.

Over the years, Sunway became much more than a place where I studied. It became a place where I grew, learned, formed friendships and discovered more about myself. After completing my Foundation in Arts at Sunway College, I pursued the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Marketing and the Master of Marketing at Sunway Business School before continuing with a PhD. At each stage, I became increasingly interested in understanding consumers, their decisions and their behaviour. Looking back, I realise that every step helped shape the person and academic I am today.

Some of my fondest memories at Sunway Business School are connected to the people I met. I was fortunate to form close friendships here, some of which have remained strong since 2017. We shared many experiences, supported one another through different stages of life and remained connected even as our journeys took us in different directions. My family has also been a constant source of encouragement and support throughout my years at Sunway.

My PhD was one of the most challenging yet rewarding chapters of my journey. My research focused on developing a reasoned action framework to understand the marketing of electric vehicles in Malaysia through a qualitative and quantitative investigation. This research journey strengthened my interest in consumer behaviour, sustainability and the factors that influence purchasing decisions.

Conducting my doctoral research taught me patience, perseverance and the importance of continuing even when things became difficult. More importantly, research changed the way I see the world. I learned to look beyond the surface, ask meaningful questions, understand different perspectives and remain curious about why things happen. Even today, I sometimes find myself observing everyday situations and thinking about the questions behind them.

I am deeply grateful to my supervisors, Professor Lim Weng Marc, Professor Koay Kian Yeik and Dr Derek Ong, who supported and guided me throughout my doctoral journey. Their encouragement, feedback and mentorship helped me grow not only as a researcher but also as a person. I am equally grateful to my family, friends and the many lecturers who have been part of my journey.

One of the proudest outcomes of my research journey was contributing to a peer-reviewed article on consumers’ motivations to purchase electric vehicles. Published in Acta Psychologica in 2025, the study explored the beliefs and values that shape consumers’ intentions to adopt electric vehicles. This achievement strengthened my commitment to conducting research that contributes to both academic knowledge and a more sustainable future.

Completing my PhD in 2025 was a very special moment for me. After years of studying, researching, revising and learning, reaching the end of that journey was an achievement of which I was incredibly proud. However, perhaps the most meaningful part came afterwards, when I returned to Sunway University as a lecturer.

There is a special feeling in returning to a place where I once sat as a student, but now in a completely different role. I still walk through familiar places, but I now see them from a different perspective. Returning to Sunway Business School as an academic feels like coming back to a place that has given me so much, while also beginning a new chapter in my life.

When I look back at where I started, I never imagined that enrolling in the Foundation in Arts programme would eventually lead me to complete the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Marketing, the Master of Marketing and a PhD before returning to Sunway Business School as a lecturer. It reminds me that we do not always need to know exactly where life is taking us. Sometimes, we take the next step, learn from the people around us, and gradually find our direction.

For me, Sunway Business School has been part of many chapters of my life. It is where I studied, formed lifelong friendships, faced challenges, celebrated achievements and gradually found my direction. I am deeply grateful that my journey has brought me back here. In this new chapter, I hope to give back by supporting and inspiring students the way Sunway and the people around me have supported and inspired me.

I am excited to begin this new chapter, carry forward the memories I have made here and create new ones with the students and colleagues I will meet along the way.

Edited by

Dr Arumugam Muthusamy
Sunway Business School
Email: @email