Regional Lead of global energy major shares his EMBA journey
We caught up with Sing Liang, Regional Lead – Global Business Development at ExxonMobil to get his thoughts on the UCLA-NUS EMBA programme, his plans and how the program helped his role in a global energy major.
Describe what you do now, and your recent accomplishments.
On the professional front, I am presently developing new business opportunities in the energy industry in Asia Pacific. It has only been a few months since I graduated from the intensive and rewarding UCLA-NUS Executive MBA program, and so I have been celebrating and catching up with friends/family and enjoying some much-needed downtime. In fact, my family and I just returned from a fun vacation to Tokyo in December! My three daughters thoroughly enjoyed the trip as it was their first overseas vacation in 3 years (no thanks to the pandemic). My family has also picked up a new hobby recently – Art Jamming, which has been both therapeutic and great for bonding as a family.
What excites you the most about your job, and the industry you’re in?
I have been working for a global energy major for 15 years, and what excites me most is how committed we are to meeting our sustainability goals and how we are transforming ourselves to lead the energy transition. My role as Regional Lead for Global Business Development places me in the thick of the action as we navigate the exciting space of lower-emissions fuels to help society meet the dual challenge of providing affordable and reliable energy while reducing environmental impacts.
How has the UCLA-NUS EMBA helped shape where you are and what you’re doing now?
The UCLA-NUS EMBA was a truly global experience that allowed me to work with and learn from the world’s brightest professors and classmates. The diverse insights and experiences shared by many of my classmates who are leaders in their fields have been so rich and inspiring. The program also equipped me with the latest concepts and frameworks in business trends and strategy – I have been able to apply these learnings at my workplace which has certainly helped to improve the quality of my thinking and decision-making.
“The UCLA-NUS EMBA was a truly global experience that allowed me to work with and learn from the world’s brightest professors and classmates.”
Describe your cohort. How did you benefit from being a part of this intimate yet diverse cohort?
My classmates from UCLA-NUS Intake 17 (Class of 2021) have been an exceptional group of leaders and trailblazers – they are a most resilient group who were juggling multiple responsibilities/commitments at work, family, and studies, all amid a pandemic! Despite their busyness, this cohort is a highly caring group, always eager to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to classmates who needed support. We have become good friends through the experience, and my cohort has been a great source of strength and inspiration for me throughout the grueling EMBA program. I look forward to celebrating our friendship for many years to come.
What was your most memorable takeaway from the program?
For me, the most memorable segment of the program was Project Capstone (Management Practicum – equivalent of the Master’s thesis) where the ULCA-NUS EMBA candidates served as management consultants and led projects and studies for external clients including startups, government bodies, multi-national companies, and non-profit organizations. My team and I (all based in Asia) consulted for a municipal broadband provider in the US, which was an eye-opening experience. While there were many challenges (including differences in time zones), the five of us learned to tap into one another’s diverse strengths and gelled as a team. We worked hard, stretched ourselves (in ways we did not think possible), overcame the difficulties and delivered a high-quality proposal and insightful recommendations that were valued greatly by the client. Through the numerous late-night teleconferences, lengthy project discussions/debates, and bonding over food and drinks, my four teammates and I formed close bonds of camaraderie which for me were the most precious takeaway.
“I was very impressed with the high caliber of the faculty and of my cohort, and truly enjoyed the global nature of the curriculum.”
Did the program meet or exceed your expectations? In what ways?
The program certainly exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with the high caliber of the faculty and of my cohort, and truly enjoyed the global nature of the curriculum. While the program was intense and stressful at times, we had a lot of fun and forged many wonderful memories in the process. I am truly glad I made the decision to embark on this EMBA journey with NUS and UCLA.
What did you not know before you started your EMBA, that you know now?
That we are stronger and more resilient than we think! Doing the EMBA program during the pandemic really stretched my ability to balance multiple priorities and manage time effectively and helped me break through the limits I previously placed on myself.
What’s your advice to other EMBA aspirants?
Stay in the moment, be present, and enjoy the learning process and the company of your classmates! The program is too short/precious for participants to be distracted by work emails or calls during the F2F segments. Most importantly, have fun!
More information about The UCLA-NUS EMBA Program
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