Batman - Asia School of Business

From Massachusetts Back to Malaysia

For Wei Han Lim, ASB Class of 2025, the MBA wasn’t a carefully plotted pivot. It was, in his own words, “a last-minute scramble.” Born and raised in Malaysia, Wei Han had spent 12 years in Massachusetts, completing his Bachelor’s at Tufts and his Master’s at MIT, both in chemical engineering, before working in process engineering and life sciences.

When visa hurdles disrupted his plans in the US, he stumbled upon Asia School of Business through none other than MIT’s own Assistant Dean of Admissions, who suggested the Malaysia-based sister school.

“At first, ASB was supposed to be a bridge back to MIT through the MSMS,” Wei Han admits. “But as I settled in, I realized being here made personal and professional sense. Looking back, I’m glad it worked out this way.”

Confidence, Community, and Epiphanies

When asked to sum up his Asia School of Business journey in three words, Wei Han doesn’t hesitate: community, vulnerability, epiphany.

“Coming in, my ego had taken a battering,” he reflects. “I lacked confidence. But ASB became a safe space to explore, try new things, and be supported by classmates and faculty alike. This is a place where everybody knows each other – it seemed like a waste to not lean into that.” He credits the Career Development Office and alumni network with helping him shape his personal brand in tackling sustainability challenges, while classmates provided both encouragement and “regular doses of friendly insults.”

Negotiation classes with Professor Alexander Eng also left a lasting mark: “Rejection therapy taught me the worst that can happen is hearing ‘no.’ That gave me the courage to ask for what I want and fight for the value that I deserve.”

Learning for Impact

Wei Han’s passion for sustainability found fertile ground at Asia School of Business. Taking electives with Professor Renato Lima de Oliveira and Dr. Pieter Stek deepened his understanding of the intersection between technology, business strategy, and policy in driving sustainable energy transitions.

His Capstone project at Gentari, where he worked on HR challenges with peers, was both unexpected and transformative. “It was out of my comfort zone but incredibly rewarding,” he recalls. “We fought each other all the time, built on a deep sense of trust and respect for each other, working towards a shared goal. We felt truly validated when we learned that our work continues to be used by our host company, nearly a year later. It was one of the best team experiences of my life.”

The MIT Connection and Beyond

The MIT collaboration was more than just an academic tie. It gave Wei Han a sense of continuity with his formative years in Cambridge. “Heading back for our MIT Immersion gave me closure in more ways than one,” he says. “My classmates finally understood where I came from, and I could reconcile my identity as a quasi-third culture kid.”

He has since leaned into both hats, serving as Secretary of the MIT Club of Malaysia while leading strategic finance research projects at ASB.

Lessons in Vulnerability and Growth

Perhaps the most profound experiences came not in classrooms but in Mindset Lab. “We learned to embrace vulnerability as we undertook personal growth mindset projects over the year,” Wei Han says. “We shared our final projects during a session in a week in which we were all focused on other projects, so it easily could have been something that we could have checked out of. But everyone came prepared to share how they had grown, and everyone was prepared to listen and support each other.”

Lasting Bonds and Chaotic Fun

Wei Han highlights the friendships and collaborations that extend beyond the MBA. Besides dinners with friends across KL and joining faculty and alums in board game nights, he recalls how he got roped into a band performance with President Joseph Cherian at ASB’s 10 Year Anniversary celebration – the day before his own graduation – with no rehearsal whatsoever. “Chaotic unhinged fun,” he laughs, citing Professor Melati Nungsari’s description of the day, remembering how he ended up singing backing vocals before an audience that included Nobel Laureate Robert Merton among many other distinguished VIPs.

A Gem for Future Students

Asked what advice he’d pass on, Wei Han is quick to reassure. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only one with impostor syndrome. Everyone’s dealing with their own version of it. Embrace that vulnerability, collaborate, and you’ll thrive.”

For someone who once thought Asia School of Business would just be a stepping stone, Wei Han has instead found an unexpected launchpad. One that combines rigorous learning, a vibrant community, and a renewed sense of purpose.

So what began as a detour became direction. A last-minute decision that gave him more than a degree. It also reintroduced him to himself.

Malaysia’s retirement challenge is becoming more about whether people are financially and psychologically prepared to sustain themselves through longer lifespans and rising living costs, and less about dividends paid by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the nation’s biggest pension fund.

It was an issue highlighted during a panel session at Asia Asset Management’s 14th Annual Malaysia Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur on May 5.

Panel members pointed out that Malaysia has one of the stronger mandatory retirement systems in Asia.

“We should recognise that our EPF is doing an excellent job. The fact that 24% of wages are contributed to retirement savings, and that it has managed the funds well, means Malaysia has actually done very well in this respect,” said Joseph Cherian, chief executive, president and dean of the Asia School of Business.

But panellists warned that many Malaysians still underestimate how much they need for retirement, and how quickly the money they saved can run out.

Taufiq Iskandar, chief executive officer of Private Pension Administrator Malaysia (PPA), the administrator of the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS), noted that only about 40% now meet the EPF’s basic savings threshold, leaving the majority financially vulnerable in retirement.

He said even retirees who have 1 million ringgit (US$249,500) saved could struggle to sustain their lifestyles over the long term.

EPF alone isn’t enough

Panel members pointed to a growing “retirement illusion”, where individuals see a large lump sum in their retirement accounts and assume it will be sufficient, without fully understanding how inflation, longevity and monthly spending can eat into the savings.

“There is money illusion. People see a large pot of money and think it is enough,” Cherian said.

Ageing demographics could intensify the pressure in coming years, especially as family support structures weaken and more workers shift into informal or gig-based employment.

The United Nations has projected that Malaysia will become an ageing nation by 2030, with the number of people 65 years and older making up 7% of the population.

Although the Malaysian pension system isn’t in “deep crisis” now, it does need structural changes, according to Ng Jit Seng, chief operating officer of Principal Asset Management

“I would not call it a very deep crisis yet, but we are entering a phase where structural changes and stronger savings behaviour are needed,” he said.

He noted that many Malaysians rely heavily on just the EPF instead of building broader retirement portfolios.

“EPF should form the core foundation of retirement savings, while PRS and other investments should complement it,” he said.

For Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, executive director and chief executive officer of Kenanga Investors, financial literacy is a big concern.

“I do not think there is a shortage of investment products or vehicles. The key issue is financial literacy,” he said.

He observed that many Malaysians, especially younger employees and gig workers, do not have long-term investing habits or the discipline to save consistently.

Fees and ETFs

The panel also debated the hidden impact of investment costs on long-term retirement savings.

Tan Haw Sin, founder and managing director of Riskk.Com, warned that high management fees could erode retirement wealth over time, particularly for long-term retirement products.

“At 2% annual fees over 30 years, you could lose more than half your wealth accumulation. The cumulative cost of wrapping and managing funds over the long term is actually very, very high,” he said.

He said lower-cost investments such as exchange-traded funds could help improve long-term retirement outcomes, but that ETF adoption in Malaysia is low compared with more developed markets.

According to Taufiq, funds on the PRS platform charge reasonable fees and that fee disclosures are very transparent. He said the PPA and Securities Commission Malaysia are actively working to further reduce costs.

He also said the PRS ecosystem is being restructured to become more account-based and could eventually include ETFs as investment options.

Ultimately though, the broader challenge may be more behavioural.

“Retirement is one of those things that creeps up on you. When you are young, you feel invincible, and before you know it, retirement arrives,” Ismitz said.

Originally published by Asia Asset Management.

From the left: Dr Nungsari, Dr Zeti Aziz, Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar

Three Presidents. One conversation. At MIT Sloan School of Management.

What does it take for a business school to stay globally relevant — while remaining deeply rooted in its region — in an era shaped by AI and shifting geopolitical dynamics?

At a recent dialogue, graciously hosted by MIT Sloan in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Asia School of Business (ASB) brought together three generations of the School’s leadership — current CEO, President and Dean, Professor Joseph Cherian; former President, Professor Sanjay Sarma; and Founding President, Professor Charles Fine — for a timely discussion on the future of education, leadership, and global competitiveness.

“We have a cross-disciplinary approach… a very engineering way of thinking about problems,” shared Professor Joseph, our current CEO, President and Dean, highlighting ASB’s evolving trajectory as a globally relevant institution anchored in Southeast Asia.

For Professor Sanjay, the shift is even more fundamental: “AI is no longer just another technology — it’s a way of thinking required to navigate a complex world.”

Reflecting on ASB’s founding philosophy, Professor Charles emphasized the importance of cultural and intellectual bridging: “We built a culture that could engage both the East and the West — and understand the challenges of both.”

Moderated by Andrew Foley (Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, NYU Stern, and MBA 2018 — ASB’s inaugural cohort), the session explored how institutions can translate global trends into meaningful impact for Malaysia, the wider Asian region, and beyond.

As AI continues to reshape industries, the way we work and talent demands, the conversation reinforced a clear idea: The future of business education lies not just in global excellence — but in local relevance, contextual understanding, and the abilities to navigate and thrive across worlds.

“Global Excellence, Local Relevance: Academic Leadership at the Intersection of AI and Global Fragmentation” held at MIT Sloan’s Wong Auditorium

From the left: Dr Nungsari, Dr Zeti Aziz, Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar

Leaders’ handshake seals pathway from ASB to Cornell

Professor Joseph Cherian, CEO, President & Dean of the Asia School of Business (ASB), and Professor Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, together inked a new extended pathway for ASB’s graduates.

This collaboration enables eligible ASB MBA, Executive MBA and Master in Central Banking students, as well as alumni, to pursue the Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBA) in New York — deepening their analytical capabilities with global exposure.

From ASB to Cornell. From the heart of Southeast Asia to New York.

More pathways. More connections. More possibilities.

For info on the diverse post-MBA pathways offered by ASB, visit https://asb.edu.my/academic-program/mba-program/

A handshake between great leadership programs. A pathway for the future.
Signing ceremony at the sidelines of the AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting 2026

#AsiaSchoolofBusiness #GlobalInquiryLocalHeart

From the left: Dr Nungsari, Dr Zeti Aziz, Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar

On 14 April, our CEO, President and Dean, Dr. Joseph Cherian, spoke at the AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM), where he delivered his session, The Value of an MBA Viewed as a Portfolio of Options. In his presentation, he explored how the value of an MBA can be reframed in the context of uncertainty—highlighting the role of experiential learning, flexible credentials, and opportunity cost in shaping modern business education. His presentation slides are available for viewing below.

From the left: Dr Nungsari, Dr Zeti Aziz, Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar

Asia School of Business Engages in Global Dialog on the Value Propositions of Degrees at the AACSB ICAM 2026 in Seattle.

On 14 April 2026, the Asia School of Business (ASB) will participate in the AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM) 2026 in Seattle, one of the premier global gatherings for leaders from business schools and education institutions.

Organized by AACSB International, the world’s largest business education network, the conference reflects AACSB’s role in shaping business education through accreditation, thought leadership, and a network of leading institutions. Its International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM) brings together institutions, educators, and industry partners from more than 60 countries, serving as a platform for leaders to exchange perspectives on the evolving role of business schools, leadership, and management education. ICAM 2026 will focus on how business schools can remain relevant amid rapid economic, technological, and societal changes, while strengthening the collective impact of the AACSB community.

ASB’s participation in ICAM 2026 reflects the School’s ongoing engagement in these conversations. Representing ASB, its CEO, President, and Dean, Professor Joseph Cherian, will speak alongside fellow deans from the United States and Sweden, offering perspectives shaped by ASB’s engagement with global business education and its experience operating in a dynamic Asian context.

This engagement builds on ASB’s continued participation in AACSB’s platform. In October 2025, Professor Cherian contributed to discussions at AACSB Elevate Asia Pacific in Hong Kong, where he spoke on the role of business schools in building entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems.

Against this backdrop, Professor Cherian notes, “The greatest challenge facing business schools today is remaining relevant to their mission. While each school must ultimately find its own distinctive niche, every institution shares the responsibility of developing well-trained, transformative, principled, business-ready, and results-oriented leaders.”

A full version of Professor Cherian’s remarks at AACSB Elevate Asia Pacific in Hong Kong in 2025 is available here.

Further details on the upcoming ICAM 2026 program, including sessions and speakers, click here.

From the left: Dr Nungsari, Dr Zeti Aziz, Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar

P&G Center for Sustainable Small-owners Launches Two Insightful Publications on Research and Oil Palm Smallholder Sustainability and Inclusion

2 November 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The P&G Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) at the Asia School of Business (ASB) has launched two new books under its Road to Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) series, marking another milestone in evidence-based research and inclusive sustainability for Malaysia’s independent palm oil smallholders.

The books were unveiled during the Smallholder Dinner and Certificate Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in conjunction with the RSPO Annual Roundtable 2025 (RT25).

The two titles — The Road to Certified Sustainable Palm Oil: A Guide to Understanding and Managing Peat Farms for Smallholders and The Road to Certified Sustainable Palm Oil: Learning from the Farms – Research for Impact — reflect CSS’s dual commitment to science-based knowledge and practical empowerment for smallholders through the P&G Smallholder Program.

Established in 2019 with support from Procter & Gamble (P&G) and hosted by ASB, CSS bridges research and practice to empower over 900 independent smallholders in Batu Pahat and Pontian, Johor, with sustainable, inclusive, and data-driven farming solutions, bringing them to achieve RSPO Smallholder certification and receive Premium for their oil palm produce. Rooted in field research and farmer collaboration, CSS represents an impactful effort to ensure that no farmer is left behind in the transition to certified sustainable palm oil.

“Sustainability in palm oil cannot be achieved by exclusion. It must include every farmer, different soil types, and every local reality,” said Professor Joe Cherian, CEO, President, Dean, and Distinguished Professor at ASB. “These books show how science, fieldwork, and partnership can transform challenges into pathways for inclusion, productivity, and environmental responsibility.”

P&G Chemical’s Sustainability Director, Francis Wiederkehr, echoed this commitment:

“In today’s global supply chains, including smallholder farmers is not just a philanthropic add-on — it is fundamental to our ESG strategy. When we support independent growers with knowledge, access, and systemic inclusion, we strengthen supply chain resilience, elevate livelihoods, and advance our ambition to source responsibly. Sustainable sourcing only becomes truly sustainable when every farmer, big or small, is a partner in the journey.”

Dr. Asad Ata, Director of CSS and Professor of Practice in Operations and Supply Chain Management at ASB, added:

“This publication shines a light on tropical peatlands, that are not to be further developed given their importance as carbon sinks and are often seen as difficult for cultivation. With Malaysia and Indonesia home to over 23 million hectares of peatland, 10% of which is cultivated with oil palm, it is important to reframe them as opportunities for responsible and inclusive sustainability to avoid exclusion of the smallholders and further deterioration of the soil. This guide provides a timely, science-based reference for smallholders with existing peatland plantations on how to balance productivity with preservation.”

Independent smallholders continue to face barriers such as limited access to knowledge, financing, and markets, as well as the complexities of managing peat soils and meeting certification requirements. The two books highlight practical, inclusive, and research-driven solutions to overcome these challenges and strengthen smallholder participation in sustainable supply chains.

Book 1: Understanding and Managing Peat Farms for Smallholders

This publication shines a light on tropical peatlands, often seen as difficult for cultivation, by reframing them as opportunities for responsible and inclusive sustainability. With Malaysia and Indonesia home to over 23 million hectares of peatland, 10% of which is cultivated with oil palm, the guide provides a timely, science-based reference on how to balance productivity with preservation.

Four Key Highlights:

Bridging Science and Practice – Translates global research on peat and climate into locally relevant, farmer-friendly insights.
Inclusivity in Sustainability – Promotes responsible management for legacy peat farms, ensuring no farmer is left behind, and they continue to benefit from the land, while preserving it for the future.
Evidence-Based Interventions – Field data show farms applying good agricultural practices (GAP) achieved up to 35% yield improvement within three to four years.
Shared Responsibility Framework – Connects peat management to Malaysia’s NDPE commitments and the UN SDGs, reinforcing smallholder roles in climate action.

Book 2: Learning from the Farms – Research for Impact

A compilation of applied studies, this volume showcases how real-world data from the program’s smallholder farms in Johor inform CSS’s program design, impact assessment, and policy engagement. It includes 11 studies across four themes; supply chain and traceability, RSPO smallholder certification, training and GAP awareness, and environment and agronomy.

Four Key Highlights:

Field-Based Evidence – Data from learning and control farms guide targeted, measurable interventions.
Digital Traceability Models – A Johor pilot demonstrates how digital tools modernize collection centers and enhance transparency.
Practical Impact – Shows how awareness and capability building foster sustainable practices and stronger livelihoods.
Scalable Solutions – Offers replicable models for policymakers, donors, and industry to expand responsible sourcing and inclusion.

Advancing Evidence-Based Sustainability through Collaboration

Both publications reinforce CSS’s role as a research and implementation hub at ASB. By combining academic rigor with practical fieldwork, CSS supports Malaysia’s broader sustainability and climate goals—advancing ethical sourcing, carbon stewardship, and smallholder prosperity.

CSS has collaborations with many industry stakeholders, including the plantation groups, district farmer associations and cooperations, such as Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan, fertilizer chains and research and academic institutions such as UiTM, and Kellogg Northwestern, USA.

As the journey toward CSPO continues, CSS calls on academia, corporations, NGOs, and policymakers to collaborate in scaling inclusive, data-driven solutions that empower smallholders as equal partners in a sustainable future.

The CSS Road to CSPO series can accessed at https://csslibrary.publuu.com

Issued by: Asia School of Business

Contact:
Dr. Asad Ata
Centre for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS)
Asia School of Business
11, Jalan Dato Onn,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Tel: +603 2023 3000
Email: hello.css@asb.edu.my

ABOUT THE P&G CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE SMALL-OWNERS (CSS)
The P&G Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) was launched in 2019, by funding from Procter & Gamble (P&G), to deliver on its Ambition 2030 goals through the P&G smallholders initiative. Housed at Asia School of Business (ASB), CSS is committed to empowering and improving smallholders’ livelihoods through traceability, compliance and capacity building through training and implementation of sustainable and best in class agricultural practices in accordance with global standards.

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G. For further information on P&G’s Responsible Palm Sourcing Program please contact: Dr Siân Morris (morris.s.1@pg.com).

ASB was established in 2015 in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management. ASB’s mission is to become a premier school of management in Asia and be recognized for its ability to develop transformative and principled leaders who will contribute to a better future and advance the emerging world. For more information, see https://asb.edu.my/research-office/center-sustainable-small-owners/.

Sporting careers can fulfil fantasies and broaden horizons. Jeffrey Ong Kuan Seng did not just live the dream; his biography might be called the Ballad of East and West. Like Rudyard Kipling, one of Malaysia’s most celebrated swimmers knows that “the twain” can not only meet, but also enjoy the best of both worlds.

“With a dad from Penang and a mum from England,” he says, “I always aimed to have the best of East and West. And it’s not East versus West, it’s about balance, and I think I’ve achieved a good balance.” The way he’s kept his equilibrium, he’s the living embodiment – both in and out of the water.

GROWING UP IN PENANG
Maintaining equilibrium is a crucial part of swimming, which is a tough gig. Distance swimming is even tougher, and he did it the hard way. At 13, he went to an overseas boarding school; university was on yet another continent. But his horizon was already after all – didn’t matter because his intrepid future mum “took the leap,” as he puts it, into what was then a backward, third world country – and stayed.” They duly married, and by the time Jeffrey, the third of four children, was born in 1972, the family was ensconced on Penang Island, and so he began an idyllic childhood. “My dad was a swimmer,” he says, “as were my older siblings, Steven and Katerina. They used to go to the Chinese Swimming Club in Tanjung Bungah, and I would tag along. “By 11, I knew I had talent, and “Rina”, who won medals at the SEA Games and was Sportswoman of the Year in 1980, was my inspiration. The swimming coach, Lin Boon Lee, was a legend and helped me build the foundation for swimming success. “I went to Wellesley Primary and had one year at St Xavier’s Institution. Growing up in Penang then was amazing. It was all very harmonious. I had Malay, Indian, Chinese and broad, his balance worthy of a tightrope walker.

Read more on The Expat.

From the left: Dr Nungsari, Dr Zeti Aziz, Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar

On 19 November, our CEO, President and Dean, Dr. Joseph Cherian, spoke at Elevate: Asia Pacific in Hong Kong, where he delivered his session, From Economics to Ecosystems, as part of the panel “Building Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystems.” In this session, he discussed how business schools can serve as incubators of innovation—partnering with startups, corporations, and policymakers to nurture entrepreneurial mindsets and drive inclusive growth. His presentation slides are now available for viewing below.

In mid-August, SwedCham Malaysia together with the Swedish Embassy had the honor of welcoming Mr. Stefan Ingves to the Swedish Residence for an engaging talk with members of the Swedish business community. Mr. Ingves is best known for his long tenure as Governor of Sveriges Riksbank, Swedish Central Bank (2006–2022), where he was instrumental in shaping Sweden’s monetary policy and strengthening financial stability, as well as his leadership roles with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. Now serving on the Board of Asia School of Business (ASB) in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Ingves shared valuable insights into the current economic situation in Sweden as well as globally, including trends in monetary policy, inflation, and financial market dynamics. His visit offered the business community a rare opportunity to hear from one of Sweden’s most influential financial leaders. Prior to Mr Ingves lecture, Professor Hans Genberg gave a brief introduction to Asia School of Business and what type of programs they offer. (Reach out to us at the Secretariat if you are interested to collaborate with ASB; IKEA had a fruitful collaboration with their senior business students two years back!)

Originally published by Swedcham Malaysia Newsletter

Author: Batman

From Massachusetts Back to Malaysia

Confidence, Community, and Epiphanies

Learning for Impact

The MIT Connection and Beyond

Lasting Bonds and Chaotic Fun

A Gem for Future Students

P&G Center for Sustainable Small-owners Launches Two Insightful Publications on Research and Oil Palm Smallholder Sustainability and Inclusion

Need more information? Reach out to us.