Three remarkable years of pursuing a Sunway University degree have quickly gone by for Jun Ren. He proudly says he has completed the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Business with the AACSB Accreditation programme. But what exactly guided him to this path?

Driven by a passion for conducting business on a global scale and career aspirations in international business, Jun Ren aimed to work with multinational corporations or international organisations. Therefore, he chose this programme as a stepping stone towards his future goals. Every day was filled with challenges and lessons that were applicable in the classroom and would also come in handy when facing real-world challenges. Sunway University's unique approach to learning combines many methods, catering to various learning styles. Learning happens within the four walls of a classroom and through everyday experiences. This was greatly emphasised during Jun Ren's time at Sunway University.

The Entrepreneurship Module at Sunway University was one of the most significant parts of Jun Ren's education there. This course introduced him to various business models, where students were allowed to develop a comprehensive business plan that was unique to the market. It could also satisfy modern consumers' demands and desires. This business plan sparked Jun Ren's ambition to launch his business with a group of partners. Furthermore, the Human Resource Management Module also equipped him with the valuable knowledge and techniques to lead and mentor a team during business expansion and transformation to meet organisational objectives.

Jun Ren was fortunate enough to be approached by numerous multinational organisations with job openings, offering internships and full-time positions during his academic career. This demonstrated the well-known standing of Sunway University, which gave international organisations confidence in the recent fresh graduates from Sunway Business School. He was able to apply his knowledge and soft skills in the real working world at KPMG Malaysia as a Human Resource Intern. There, he focused on managing interns' recruitment and onboarding sessions and representing the firm to conduct sharing sessions when appropriate. This experience not only enhanced his knowledge of how the human resource department performs and supports other departments in a multinational organisation but also upgraded his presentation skills in delivering information to the audience, upholding the honour and good name of the organisation.

Beyond academics, Jun Ren was chosen to hold one of the most honourable posts on behalf of business school students, serving as the President and Student Advisor of Sunway Business School Student Concilium for two consecutive years. He learned that being a leader wasn't just about ordering people to carry out tasks but about being an example to follow by making himself a role model for them while possessing strong decision-making skills. As a leader, he was frequently required to represent the students to voice their concerns during their academic journey and strengthen the bond between the management and students. Sunway Business School Student Concilium has always been dedicated to providing opportunities for the Sunway community and developing the reputation of Sunway University.

As mentioned about the activities and events they organised, such as Alumni Entrepreneurship, students were able to learn from Sunway Alumni through sharing sessions about their experiences and journeys in developing business, gain an overview of approaching the entrepreneurship industry, and acquire techniques on how to face different challenges at various stages. This could help them master their entrepreneurship journey, especially for students who wish to start their businesses soon. Additionally, they held their annual event named "Million Invendify Sunway Business Pitching Competition" in collaboration with CPA Australia. The mandate of this competition was to create young talents and stimulate their interest in entrepreneurship to spark creativity in business ideation. Through this event, participants from Sunway University and external universities had the opportunity to present their fresh business ideas to an audience and panel of judges, with the business idea that gained the highest investment being declared the winner.

One valuable lesson Jun Ren learned during his tenure was that the higher up you are, the humbler you must be. That was one way to gain other people's respect, which was a challenge. The spirit of togetherness between the leader and committee was crucial in sustaining the final goals. Jun Ren was grateful to have his committee members who patiently stayed by his side, the Liaison Officer, Mr Arumugam, and the Dean of Sunway Business School, Professor Lim Weng Marc, who, despite their hectic schedules, spared time to guide him on the correct path. He expressed his sincere gratitude to them. The responsibility to uphold the student leadership body and the school's honour was a significant burden on his shoulders. Still, thanks to that, he could grow and become stronger as an individual. 

Navigating the challenges of his academic journey, Jun Ren felt a surge of gratitude for Associate Professor Dr Shehnaz Tehseen, his program leader. Her unwavering support shone like a beacon of hope, her dedication to mentorship and academic guidance propelling him towards graduation with flying colours.

Jun Ren was encouraged to join the International Business Society from his first steps in the program. This expanded his network with external parties and allowed him to delve deeper into the field through knowledge directly shared by industry experts. Looking back, he realises the wisdom of his decision, for these opportunities truly enriched his academic experience.

University life, Jun Ren reminisces, held a special place in his heart. It was a time of forging lifelong friendships, building unbreakable bonds, and creating golden memories – late-night study sessions with friends, hosting engaging events, and preparing for the transition into the professional world. Sunway University had become a second family, and parting would be bittersweet. Yet, he knew life had exciting adventures in store.

With a firm commitment to continuous development, Jun Ren set his sights on a career in multinational organisations. He knew that wherever his path led him, he would carry the lessons learned and the unwavering support from his family, lecturers, friends, and everyone who had walked alongside him during his academic journey. He was confident that these experiences would make him a better man, ready to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.

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