Batman - Asia School of Business

“From a city in Indonesia to the world—bridging cultures, embracing challenges, and finding joy along the way.”

Hometown:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fun fact about yourself:
I got my MBA scholarship through a story of redemption—and a gado-gado (Indonesian salad) analogy to describe my journey. I love tackling challenges with fresh perspectives and finding creative solutions. People often approach me for tricky, unexpected problems, and I enjoy making sense of the chaos. Behind my smile is perseverance, discipline, grit, and sharp analytical thinking that keeps me pushing forward.

Undergraduate School and Degree:
Taylor’s University, Bachelor of International Hospitality Management

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?
Teleport AirAsia, Head of Commercial

Where will you be working after graduation?
I hope to keep solving complex challenges in unique ways. Ideally, I’d stay in logistics, supply chain, or FMCG because I love seeing how the world moves and how it impacts people’s lives every day. I thrive in roles that are both strategic and action-packed, and I hope to continue being in the heart of the action—where decisions shape real-world outcomes.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:
I earned an MBA scholarship and currently serve as the President of the Women’s Club. In the past, I was the Multiple Dean’s List Recipient, President of the Indonesian Student Society and the Executive Director of the International Student Council. Leadership has always been a big part of my journey, and I thrive in bringing people together, driving meaningful initiatives, and creating spaces for diverse voices to be heard.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?
L’evive Labs – Head of Operations & Founding Team Member (Longevity Startup), Kuala Lumpur

Growing up in a family with a history of diabetes and heart disease, health and wellness have always been personal to me. I’ve seen firsthand how lifestyle and preventive care can change lives, and I want to be part of that generational shift. That’s why building L’evive Labs, Southeast Asia first online longevity clinic— blending health, innovation and technology— while pursuing my MBA has been so meaningful. Working closely with the founder, we bootstrapped our way to $10K in revenue without any marketing—just a belief in what we were building and the drive to make it work. My knowledge of the region and trade regulations in Southeast Asia helped lay the foundation for the company’s future. Being named a finalist at the INNOCOS Wellness & Longevity Awards was a proud moment, not just as validation of our work, but as a step toward making proactive health accessible to more people.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?
One of the moments I’m most proud of is turning around Pandago at Foodpanda, taking it from a struggling product to the top performer in APAC. It wasn’t an easy ride—there was a lot of resistance, and not everyone believed in it. But I focused on the execution, got the right people on board, and proved that with the right approach, something seen as a failure could actually thrive.

Another defining experience was at Teleport AirAsia, where I had to make the tough call to recommend shutting down an unviable product. It wasn’t a decision people wanted to hear, but it was the right one for the business. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t just about building things—it’s also about knowing when to step back and make the hard choices.

But beyond these achievements, what I’m really proud of is how far I’ve come—starting from a completely different background and finding my way through industries I never imagined myself in. I’ve had to learn, adapt, and prove myself over and over again. Through all of it, I’ve realized that what truly drives me isn’t just solving problems but finding new perspectives and challenging what’s possible.

Why did you choose this business school?
In my search for the best business school in Southeast Asia, Asia School of Business stood out with its action-centric approach—something that sets it apart from the rest. While many schools focus on case studies, ASB pushes you to learn by doing, which resonates deeply with how I approach challenges.

Its close connection to MIT Sloan brings the same mens et manus (mind and hand) philosophy to this region, bridging world-class academic rigor with real-world application. More importantly, ASB values diversity—not just in background but in perspective. As someone with an unconventional career path, I felt seen, appreciated, and challenged in all the right ways. From the start, it felt like the right synergy, and it continues to be a place where I grow, push boundaries, and redefine what’s possible.

Who was your favorite MBA professor?
Learning from Professor Michael Frese has been one of the most eye-opening experiences at ASB. His approach to leadership and organizations—rooted in behavioral science—has made me rethink how businesses actually work. I’ve always been fascinated by how people shape organizations, and his insights reinforce the idea that a company’s strength comes from the minds of its people, not just its strategies.

Beyond the engaging classes and exercises, he’s someone I genuinely respect and look up to. He brings deep industry experience but also a down-to-earth way of teaching that makes complex ideas feel practical and real. His lessons have challenged me to not just think about execution, but to understand what truly drives people, teams, and long-term impact.

What was your favorite course as an MBA?
Beyond Organizational Behavior with Prof. Michael Frese, I found myself really drawn to Marketing Management with Prof. Juanjuan Zhang, a visiting professor from MIT. Her course combined marketing analytics with human psychology in a way that just made sense—it felt less like theory and more like understanding how people actually think and make decisions.

One of the things that stuck with me was how consumer behavior is shaped by social influence and observational learning—how we subconsciously take cues from others when making choices. It made me look at everyday decisions differently, from the way products go viral to why certain brands build such loyal followings.

What I loved most was that it wasn’t just theory; it was hands-on and discussion-driven, with immediate real-world applications. We didn’t just talk about market segmentation and targeting; we worked through challenges that made us think critically about how businesses actually apply these concepts.

Prof. Zhang’s teaching style was both engaging and thought-provoking—she made complex ideas feel intuitive. More than anything, her class deepened my curiosity about how marketing, data, and psychology all intersect, and it’s something I know I’ll keep exploring long after my MBA.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school?
I’ve really enjoyed the weekly Career Development Office (CDO) core sessions every Friday. They’re not just about career advice—they’ve been a space to explore personal growth, career challenges, and the kind of real-world lessons that we don’t always get in formal education.

What makes them stand out is how interactive and honest they are. We don’t just sit through lectures; we role-play real situations, have open discussions, and challenge how we think about our careers. There’s a mix of curiosity and vulnerability in the room that makes it feel real—like we’re figuring things out together rather than just following a playbook.

I also didn’t expect to appreciate the career coaching support as much as I do. Having that space to talk things through, reflect, and get guidance has been incredibly helpful. It’s been one of those small but meaningful parts of my MBA experience that I know will stick with me long after I graduate.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe that everything happens at the right place and the right time. The challenges, the unexpected turns, and even the moments of doubt have all been part of the learning process. If anything, this journey has taught me to trust the process, embrace uncertainty, and make the most of every opportunity as it comes.

What is the biggest myth about your school?
A lot of people think ASB is too expensive and not much different from other local MBAs—but that’s far from the truth.

What makes ASB stand out isn’t just the academics, but how much learning happens through action. The projects, industry exposure, and hands-on challenges push us to apply what we learn in ways I didn’t expect. It’s not just theory—it’s figuring things out in real-world settings, which has been the most valuable part of the experience.

What also surprised me was how personalized the support is. The faculty and staff are incredibly attentive, genuinely invested in our growth, and always willing to help. I never expected that level of care from a business school, but it’s made a huge difference in my journey here.

What did you love most about your business school’s town?
I’ve lived in Kuala Lumpur for the past 10 years. In that time, I’ve experienced the vibrancy of this emerging nation firsthand. It’s a city that blends cultures, industries, and opportunities in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere.

What makes KL special is that it’s not just a hub for Malaysia—it’s a gateway to the APAC region, offering access to diverse markets and people from all over the world. At the same time, the city isn’t overwhelmingly large, which makes professional networking feel more personal and engaging. It’s easy to connect with like-minded people, build meaningful relationships, and find opportunities to grow.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming?
What insights did you gain from using AI? At ASB, AI isn’t something to be avoided—it’s something to be understood and challenged. Our Dean, Prof. Sanjay Sharma, is a big advocate for AI. Instead of banning its use in assignments, we’re encouraged to critique it, question its outputs, and think deeper about its role in decision-making. I appreciate this approach because, in reality, AI isn’t going anywhere—so learning how to use it wisely is more important than ignoring it.

The school has also introduced an AI for Business Leaders program, opening discussions beyond the classroom to corporate participants. And when we go to MIT for our global programs, nearly all of our coursework will focus on AI, which really shows how much the school believes in preparing us for what’s ahead.

For me, the biggest takeaway has been that AI doesn’t replace critical thinking—it forces us to think even more critically. Log OutIt’s easy to take AI’s answers at face value, but the real challenge is knowing when to trust it, when to question it, and how to use it to make better decisions.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire?
Parvinjeet Kaur—she’s a mom, a business owner, and one of the most genuine, down-to-earth people I’ve met. What I love about her is how passionate and real she is. When she speaks about something she cares about, you can feel it—it’s not just words, it’s who she is. She somehow juggles everything—family, business, and school—without ever losing her warmth. She’s proof that you can do it all in your own way, and I really look up to her, not just as a classmate, but as a person.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
First, coming from a hospitality background first and foremost, I want to create a space where people can truly experience my culture—not in a flashy or commercial way, but through simple, everyday moments. I’ve always loved the kind of hospitality that makes people feel at home, where good food and nature bring people together. I dream of building a small retreat centered around farm-to-table living, a place where people can slow down, enjoy fresh food, and reconnect with themselves and the world around them. To me, culture isn’t something to put on display—it’s something you feel, taste, and live. More than anything, I just want to create a place that feels honest, where tradition, wellness, and sustainability naturally come together.

Second, I hope to lead a company one day—not just in title but in the way that truly matters. I want to be in a role where I can shape things, make decisions that matter, and create an environment where people feel excited to work and grow. It’s not about chasing a position; it’s about building something that lasts and actually makes a difference.

What made Risa such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Risa Ichwandiani is the kind of leader who not only excels in her own endeavors, but also brings out the best in those around her. In the face of one of the most stressful moments in our MBA program—the first class exam—Risa remained a calming force, reassuring her classmates that they would make it through together. Her ability to remain composed under pressure and instil a sense of calmness in others reflects the strength of her leadership. Beyond this, Risa has consistently demonstrated her organizational and leadership skills, especially in launching the first Women’s Association Club event, which saw an impressive turnout thanks to her dedication and ability to balance multiple responsibilities, including her studies and family.

Her cheerfulness and positivity are infectious, making her a source of light in any room she enters. Whether in the classroom or in personal interactions, Risa’s genuine appreciation for others—especially for the staff at ASB—is well-known. She consistently expresses her gratitude, making her an influential and respected member of the community.”

Jim Lee
Assistant Director, Student Services at ASB

Originally published by Poets & Quants.

BEIJING: The Asia School of Business and the Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance (Tsinghua PBCSF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen regional collaboration in education and talent development.
The MoU sets the foundation for long-term cooperation be- tween the two leading academic institutions in Asia.

It reflects their shared belief that education builds bridges between nations, nurtures leadership, deepens mutual under- standing, and drives prosperity through knowledge exchange, the Asia School of Business said in a statement.

Under the agreement, both institutions will work together in several areas, including postgraduate and executive education programmes, faculty and research exchanges, joint academic conferences, and cross- border research on global and regional issues.

This partnership reflects the values of scholarship and goodwill, where collaboration across borders must become a force for good.

“With our colleagues at Tsinghua PBCSF, we see this as a pathway to shared leadership, shared knowledge, and shared progress for the region and beyond,” commented Asia School of Business CEO, president and dean Joseph Cherian.

This collaboration supports Malaysia’s growing profile as a leading destination for international education.

Chinese students are increasingly choosing Malaysia for its English speaking academic environment and regional relevance rooted in Asian values.

At the same time, more Malaysian students and scholars are enrolling in top Chinese universities like Tsinghua, drawn by China’s deep expertise and scale of industry.

Tsinghua PBCSF dean Jie Jiao said the partnership affirms the broader friendship between both nations.

“By investing in joint education and leadership development, the future of Asia will be led by those who can think across borders, act with integrity, and collaborate for the greater good,” he added.

Meanwhile, Asia School of Business founding chair and co-chair Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said the focus of both institutions is to deliver education contextualised to the emerging world.

“The common focus of our respective schools in education is to provide foundations that are contextualised to the emerging world so that it will contribute to an increased understanding of its financial and economic functioning in the world so as to cultivate the next generation of stewards and talent that will make a difference in the global economy,” he added.

The MoU also supports the broader talent development vision of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

As China increases its engagements across Asean, the need to develop globally competent yet locally grounded talent has become more pressing

With Malaysia at the heart of Southeast Asia and a long history of economic and education ties with China, the Asia School of Business is well placed to play a key role in this effort, it said.

Originally published by The Borneo Post.

KUALA LUMPUR 9 Julai – Seramai 892 pekebun kecil bebas berjaya sijil RSPO (Rundingan Meja Bulat Minyak Sawit Mampan) dengan sebahagian daripada mereka mencatat purata peningkatan hasil sebanyak 20% hingga 25% dalam tempoh dua hingga tiga tahun dan sehungga 35% dalam tempah tiga hingga empat tahun.

Pencapaian itu adalah hasil pelaksanaan Program Pekebun Kecil P&G yang dinyatakan dalam Laporan Impak Lestari (CSS) 2025 yang diterbitkan oleh Asia School of Business dengan kerjasama MIT Sloan baru-baru ini.

Menurut laporan itu, seramai 407 pekebun kecil bertauliah telah menerima premium berkaitan kelestarian sebanyak AS$68,175 dari tahun 2021 hingga 2024.

“Program itu juga berjaya memperkasakan komuniti di Johor melalui penubuhan dan sokongan kepada PERTANIAGA iaitu persatuan yang dipimpin oleh pekebun kecil bebas yang kini mempunyai seramai 892 ahli, dengan 38% daripada barisan kepimpinannya terdiri daripada wanita.

“Persatuan itu kini menjadi model untuk tadbir urus inklusif dan berkesan di peringkat akar umbi,” menurut laporan tersebut.

Kecemerlangan yang berjaya dicapai melalui program tersebut juga melibatkan kelestarian alam sekitar melalui pengurusan sisa, pemantauan tanah gambut dan penjejakan bahan kimia yang mampan.

Selain itu, program CSS turut menyokong lebih 1,100 ladang dalam melaksanakan Amalan Pertanian Baik yang selari dengan dasar RSPO dan NDPE.

Laporan itu memaklumkan sebanyak 1,106 ladang bertauliah telah dijejaki dan disahkan melalui program tersebut sekali gus meningkatkan ketelusan dan mempersiapkan pekebun kecil untuk mematuhi peraturan global seperti Peraturan Penebangan Hutan Kesatuan Eropah (EUDR).

Program Pekebun Kecil P&G adalah kerjasama antara Asia School of Business, syarikat Procter & Gamble (P&G) dan Yayasan Temasek.

Ia bertujuan mempromosikan Amalan Pertanian Baik dan Mampan, serta menyokong pengeluaran minyak sawit mampan yang diperakui dalam kalangan pekebun kecil bebas di Malaysia.

Ketua Program Iklim & Kehidupan Lestari, Yayasan Temasek, Heng Li Lang berkata, laporan itu membuktikan kepentingan sokongan dan kerjasama berterusan dalam membantu pekebun kecil membina sumber pendapatan yang lebih berdaya tahan dengan amalan pertanian yang lebih baik.

“Kami berbesar hati kerana dapat menyokong pendekatan yang bukan sahaja mengangkat martabat pekebun kecil, malah turut mengurangkan kesan pengeluaran minyak sawit terhadap alam sekitar dalam jangka masa panjang,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Presiden, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif & Dekan Asia School of Business, Professor Joe Cherian berkata, laporan itu memberi penekanan terhadap kepentingan kerjasama antara institusi akademik dan industri dalam usaha mengangkat martabat komuniti yang kurang mendapat perhatian.

“Ia menunjukkan bagaimana pensijilan, sama ada RSPO atau standard kemampanan negara berupaya memupuk perlindungan alam sekitar dan memacu ketahanan ekonomi yang tulen dalam kalangan pekebun kecil.

“Kami berbesar hati dengan kerjasama antara Asia School of Business, P&G dan Yayasan Temasek yang telah terjalin sejak sekian lama dan berjaya mencapai kejayaan yang berimpak tinggi.

“Kami tidak sekadar memfokuskan kepada aspek pensijilan, malah turut meraikan perubahan sebenar yang dibawa kepada kehidupan dan komuniti pekebun kecil,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Pengarah CSS, Professor Asad Ata pula berkata, laporan tahun ini menunjukkan bahawa impak pensijilan tidak hanya melibatkan pekebun kecil sahaja, tetapi turut melibatkan keluarga, komuniti, dan alam sekitar mereka.

“Pekebun kami kini menjadi jurucakap kepada Amalan Pertanian Baik dan Mampan, daripada pengurusan sisa dan tanah gambut, hinggalah kepada pengurusan nutrien tanah yang lebih baik mengikut kitaran penanaman masing masing.

“Kami bercadang mahu mengembangkan model inklusif ini ke seluruh kawasan lain di Malaysia, dengan kerjasama rakan penganjur dan penaja yang berkongsi matlamat serupa,” katanya.

Malaysia adalah negara pengeluar minyak sawit kedua terbesar di dunia dengan lebih 275,000 pekebun kecil bebas yang turut menyumbang kepada industri tersebut.

Berbeza dengan pekebun kecil tersusun, pekebun kecil bebas mengurus ladang kecil secara individu dan mempunyai akses yang terhad kepada ilmu pengetahuan, teknologi dan bimbingan.

Laporan Impak CSS 2025 yang penuh boleh diakses di sini.

Originally published by DagangNews.

The Centre of Sustainable Small-owners (CSS), a collaboration between the Asia School of Business, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and the Temasek Foundation, has released its CSS Impact Report 2025, highlighting five years of transformative work supporting independent smallholders in Malaysia’s palm oil industry.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Asia School of Business, established in collaboration with MIT Sloan, is home to the Centre for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS), which aims to elevate smallholder livelihoods while driving sustainable palm oil production through Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), certification, and innovation.

The programme’s progress aligns with broader global environmental and social sustainability goals.

Smallholders contribute over 40% of the world’s palm oil supply, yet they often remain excluded from formal supply chains due to barriers such as lack of certification, limited traceability, and restricted access to training and resources.

In Malaysia, independent smallholders make up around 17% of palm oil producers and represent a critical, yet often overlooked, link in the supply chain. The CSS programme targets this group, turning policy intentions into tangible impact at the grassroots level across five key pillars: Community Empowerment, Livelihood Improvement, Environmental Sustainability, Responsible Sourcing, and Thought Leadership & Advocacy.

To date, 892 smallholders have been RSPO-certified, with some achieving yield improvements of 20%–25% over two to three years, and up to 35% over four years. A total of 407 certified smallholders received US$68,175 in sustainability-linked premiums between 2021 and 2024.

The programme has also helped establish and grow PERTANIAGA, an independent smallholder-led association in Johor that now boasts 892 members—38% of whom are women in leadership roles—fostering inclusive and effective governance at the local level. Over 1,100 farms have adopted sustainable practices including waste management, chemical tracking, and peatland monitoring in line with RSPO and NDPE policies.

In advancing traceability and compliance with global regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), 1,106 certified farms have been digitally traced and verified. CSS is also developing a traceability app to further track farm-level data in collaboration with regional collection centres.

On the knowledge front, the Centre has trained over 3,145 farmers in sustainable practices and published two practical guides to support smallholder education. These tools, grounded in the Centre’s research, contribute meaningfully to the global knowledge base on smallholder-led sustainable agriculture.

Behind these statistics are powerful stories of resilience. Encik Rosli, a marathon-running farmer, has outpaced national yield averages, while Puan Hamisah, a retired civil servant, now champions the role of women in sustainable agriculture.

“These journeys show how access to knowledge, support and inclusion can empower leadership and bring about generational change,” said Francis Wiederkehr, Sustainability Programme Director at P&G Chemicals.

Heng Li Lang, Head of Climate & Liveability at Temasek Foundation, added, “We are proud to support an initiative that uplifts smallholders while contributing to a more sustainable palm oil ecosystem.”

Professor Joe Cherian, CEO and Dean of the Asia School of Business, underscored the value of academic-industry partnerships. “This report reaffirms the importance of shared responsibility in building resilient communities.

“Certification—whether RSPO or aligned with national standards—can serve as a vehicle for both environmental stewardship and economic growth.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr Asad Ata, Director of CSS, said, “We celebrate certificates, but more importantly, we celebrate the change they unlock for lives and communities. Our farmers are now the advocates, taking the lead in practices like waste and nutrient management within their communities. We aim to scale this inclusive model across Malaysia with support from aligned partners.”

Malaysia, as the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil, is home to over 275,000 independent smallholders. Unlike organised smallholders under government or estate schemes, these farmers often operate on small plots with limited access to institutional support.

The CSS programme continues to bridge that gap—ensuring that even the smallest contributors can play a leading role in making Malaysia’s palm oil sector more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready.

The full CSS Impact Report 2025 is available at this link.

Originally published by SME.Asia.

Asia School of Business will host the ASBhive FINVERSE Hackathon during MyFintech Week 2025 – Malaysia’s premier fintech event, where finance intersects with innovation. This esteemed event will be held from August 4 to 7, 2025, at Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia.

As the coordinator of the FiNVERSE Hackathon, ASBhive will host its physical finale during this event. Additionally, Anella Munro will conduct a Masterclass session on Cross-Border Payments: Landscape Overview & Industry Innovation.

Anella is a Professor of Economics with a PhD in Economics from the University of Oxford. Her areas of specialization include International Macroeconomics, Macroprudential Policy, Asset Pricing, Monetary Policy, and International Finance.

MyFintech Week 2025 is an invitation-only event and is claimable by HRDCorp.For participation inquiries, please contact Redza at redza.ridzuan@asb.edu.my

ASBhive is a hub for Malaysia´s entrepreneurial ecosystem, managed by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) at the Asia School of Business.

May 21, 2025

In this episode of MAM Admissions Unplugged, we sit down with current SOM students who are also parents to hear their honest experiences navigating life at Yale SOM. From managing academics and extracurriculars to finding support in the Yale and New Haven communities, our guests share practical advice, personal stories, and what they wish they knew before arriving. This episode offers valuable insight and guidance for prospective and incoming students on balancing parenthood and graduate school.

Originally published by Yale School of Management.

June 6, 2025

Vlad Gaylun ’25, a graduate of the MAM program, participated in a weekend-long competition that connected Yale students to local leaders in quantum computing.

As the sun rose over Yale University on a Sunday morning in April, our team felt nervous, exhausted, and excited. After a long weekend with no sleep and lots of problem-solving, we were thrilled to hear our names called as winners at the YQuantum 2025 hackathon, where we secured third place in the Grand Prize category among nearly 80 teams from around the world. It was a moment of joy, pride, and validation for the effort we had all put in.

YQuantum is Yale’s annual quantum computing hackathon, a weekend-long event that brings together students, researchers, and professionals to solve real-world challenges using quantum computing, a branch of computer science that uses the principles of quantum physics to address complex problems. This year’s event saw 700 registrants from 29 countries and 104 universities. Teams of three to five students picked one of nine sponsored challenge tracks—three “advancement” tracks that pushed quantum algorithms forward and six “application” tracks tackling real-world problems, such as insurance risk or wildfire response—and then sprinted through a 24-hour build window before capping it all with a short demo to a panel of industry judges. It was fast-paced, collaborative, and full of creative energy.

I entered the competition to explore how quantum computing can be applied in the business world, especially in finance and risk management. Before arriving at Yale SOM, I spent a transformative year at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, where the action-learning culture taught me to dive head-first into messy, high-stakes projects. That same roll-up-your-sleeves mindset made a quantum hackathon feel like home. As a SOM student with a strong interest in emerging technologies, I wanted to go beyond the classroom and apply what I’d been learning in a real-world setting. Fresh from Professor Steven Girvin’s mind-bending course Quantum Information Processing and Communication, I was ready to put those insights to the test.

Our challenge, sponsored by The Hartford and Capgemini, asked us to address a practical question: How can quantum computing reduce risk in large, tightly correlated insurance portfolios? Classical optimizers struggle with this combinatorial complexity. Although today’s quantum hardware still has limited qubits and noisy operations—and real-world insurance datasets tend to be large and messy—we found a path forward. By combining smarter algorithms with strategic problem partitioning, we demonstrated that near-term quantum resources can already deliver tangible value to insurance risk management. By working around current limitations, we were able to showcase how quantum computing can already start delivering business value, especially in fields like insurance where risk and complexity go hand-in-hand.

Through whirlwind networking sessions organized by the hackathon, I formed a team with undergraduate students from several universities: Jesse Webb of Louisiana Tech University; Jesse Dance of Purdue University; Marlon Jost of Northeastern University; and Andrew Maciejunes of Old Dominion University. A few message exchanges and a late-night Zoom call convinced us we had the right mix of expertise, strategy, and business savvy to succeed in the competition. I contributed by keeping our workflow moving, brainstorming solutions, helping bridge technical ideas with business needs, and “vibe coding” our prototype. We really operated as a unit, constantly building on each other’s thoughts.

The hackathon’s greatest dividend wasn’t the trophy—it was the relationships forged in that whirlwind weekend. YQuantum Hackathon founder Pranet Sharma and Yale Quantum Institute managing director Florian Carle set the tone, curating an environment where experimentation felt effortless. Conversations with the teams at leading companies in the field, including Rigetti, QuEra, and QuantumCT, turned abstract ideas into a shared roadmap for what near-term quantum can achieve. The weekend including mentoring from experts from Capgemini and The Hartford, and I left every session feeling challenged and championed. Their questions sharpened our thinking, and the connections we made are the real prize I’m taking forward.

Looking back, I can see how this experience pulled together everything I’ve been learning at SOM. An event that connects physics, business, and technology in one fast-moving challenge is a great example of Yale’s cross-disciplinary approach in action. The hackathon helped me grow as a problem-solver and opened my eyes to new directions I might want to explore. If you’re a current or future SOM student interested in tech, finance, or anything cutting-edge, I highly recommend jumping into something like YQuantum. You don’t need to be an expert—just curious, open, and ready to learn from others.

Originally published by Yale School of Management.

Kuala Lumpur, May 19, 2025 – The Asia School of Business has announced new roles for Professor Sanjay Sarma as he steps off as CEO, President, and Dean of the School with his return to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after two years helming the School. Professor Sarma will remain closely involved in the School’s endeavors ahead, as Eminent Visiting Professor and a member of the School’s Board of Governors.

A respected academic, innovator, and entrepreneur, Professor Sarma led key changes at the School, inspired by his vision to transform education for the future. He introduced Agile Continuous Education (ACE) to provide modular, flexible and stackable learning pathways for lifelong learning and to upskill in a range of business topics with rich AI immersions. ACE is built around a suite of stackable micro-credentials, offering professionals multiple pathways to lead and adapt in a fast-changing world — from specialized MicroMasters®Programs in AI, logistics, finance, and supply chains to lateral entry into the School’s distinctive MBA and EMBA programs. While reinventing the Asia School of Business through a post-COVID, post-AI educational transformation, Professor Sarma also shepherded new pedagogical frameworks into the MBA and EMBA programs including Growth Mindset and Integrated Management Lab. Professor Sarma also played a key role in the renewal of the School’s collaboration agreement with MIT Sloan.

Professor Sarma has reflected on the profound impact Malaysia has had on him, expanding his horizons and enriching his appreciation of human culture and history. He believes the Asia School of Business has accomplished something truly extraordinary — becoming the first to boldly pivot its approach in anticipation of a rapidly changing world. “This School has laid the foundation for a future-ready institution that doesn’t just react to disruption, but leads through it,” he shared. “The Asia School of Business is uniquely positioned — world class rigor and techniques applied to the most exciting region in the world: Asia.”

In recalibrating the School’s academic offerings to meet the evolving demands of business education, he leaves an enduring legacy of innovation, agility and boldness to position the Asia School of Business as a leading institution of learning in Asia and beyond. The School expresses its deepest appreciation to Professor Sarma for his visionary leadership, dedication and commitment to shaping the future of education especially in the face of current global shifts in higher education in the age of AI and technology.

About Asia School of Business
The Asia School of Business is a premier global business school located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, established in collaboration with the MIT Sloan School of Management. The Asia School of Business offers innovative post-graduate degree programs, MicroMasters®Programs, executive education, micro-credentials and cutting-edge research. To learn more about Asia School of Business, visit their website at asb.edu.my, or check out their LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook pages.

Kuala Lumpur, May 19, 2025 – The Asia School of Business has announced the appointment of Joseph Cherian as its Chief Executive Officer, President, Dean, and Distinguished Professor. Professor Cherian was previously Deputy CEO of the School and assumes the role of CEO from Professor Sanjay Sarma, who has taken on a new role on the School’s Board of Governors and returns to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after two years helming Asia School of Business.

As Professor of Finance, he possesses a highly versatile, varied and distinguished international background, spanning academia, global financial markets, and strategic leadership in education. Professor Cherian’s academic career in teaching and researching finance, asset management and portfolio investments includes top global universities including Cornell University, National University of Singapore, and Boston University. Apart from teaching at the Asia School of Business, he most recently served as Visiting Professor of Finance at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University. He was formerly an Executive-in-Residence and a two-term member of the Johnson Dean’s Advisory Council at Cornell University and is now an Emeritus Member of the Council.

Professor Cherian’s professional experience in the financial services sector spanned asset management where he managed US$67 billion in client assets as Global Head and Chief Investment Officer of the Quantitative Strategies Group at Credit Suisse Asset Management. He continues to be involved in the financial industry through advisory roles to governments and think-tanks in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, in areas such as venture funds, asset management, pensions and capital market policies and reforms.

As an internal successor to the School’s top role, Professor Cherian’s appointment builds on his international and varied experience combined with his successful steering of the School’s strategic endeavors since joining in 2022. The School remains focused on delivering world-class business education with its unique perspectives from emerging markets and economies.

Professor Cherian holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from MIT, and MSc and PhD degrees in Finance from Cornell University.

We are super proud of our Deputy CEO, Professor Joseph Cherian, participating in the inaugural roundtable hosted by Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, and the Singapore CPF Board.

This international dialogue brought together global pension experts to exchange best practices and insights on shaping sustainable, future-ready retirement systems.

Professor Cherian’s contributions reflect the School’s commitment to thought leadership and our continued efforts to enhance financial resilience and long-term well-being for all.

Originally posted on LinkedIn

Author: Batman

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