Beginning my career as an administrative staff member in higher education, I quickly found myself acting as an international liaison.  In this role, I was responsible for connecting my university with overseas institutions and facilitating various international collaborations. Despite accumulating rich practical experiences, I eventually felt I lacked the opportunity for systematic and holistic research.  This, in turn, hindered my ability to reflect deeply on organisational management and strategic development within universities.  Engaging in in-depth, theoretical, and academic research seemed like a perfect remedy for self-improvement.  This intrinsic motivation, to become a more competent university practitioner, ultimately propelled me to embark on an intellectual pursuit.

My initial acquaintance with Sunway University came about for both personal and professional reasons.  Firstly, I was attracted by its state-of-the-art facilities, secondly, by its mission to be a higher education institution with a social conscience, and finally, by its admission policies welcoming international students.  These factors combined led to my determination to choose Sunway University as the place to further my studies and fulfill my academic aspirations.

Four years on, my decision has proven to be the right one.  The broad research interests of the faculty and the resources available at Sunway University have truly enriched my learning experience, allowing me to delve deeply into my research with confidence.

Looking back, I am particularly grateful for the incredible journey I experienced while earning my PhD (Business) at Sunway Business School.  The school's academic strength, research quality, and caring culture provided unparalleled opportunities to expand my knowledge and conduct impactful research.  Sunway Business School fosters an environment that encourages innovation, critical thinking, and academic excellence.  The truly collaborative atmosphere among fellow researchers and the support from the administrative staff made my time at Sunway University both productive and enjoyable.  As a result, my understanding of organisational management within university contexts deepened, my theoretical knowledge enriched, and my capacity to undertake academic inquiry individually was significantly enhanced.

The Sunway Business School members are not only globally acclaimed experts in their fields but also dedicated mentors who guided me through every step of my academic journey.  During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, my presence on campus was limited, and it was not until the relaxation of certain regulations that I could finally have face-to-face communication with my supervisors.  Although current technology allows seamless and real-time interaction, managing to convey ideas relevant to the research still posed challenges and required mutual effort.  Throughout this challenging process, the Sunway Business School, my supervisors, and all involved staff provided invaluable understanding, guidance, and assistance that pulled me through.  Even though my physical stay at Sunway Business School was not long enough to get to know everyone, an intimate bond was built, and the mentorship and friendships formed will last forever.

I wholeheartedly recommend Sunway Business School's PhD programme to aspiring scholars seeking a rigorous and supportive environment to pursue their research interests.  Choosing Sunway Business School for my Ph.D. has been one of the best decisions of my academic career, and I am proud to be an alumnus of such a distinguished institution.

Edited by
Arumugam Muthusamy
Sunway Business School 
Email: [email protected]