College of IR put me in good steady in my career path, while also improving my overall character – just to be a better human being.

Please share your career after graduation from Ritsumeikan University.

AlvinUpon graduating from the Global Studies in 2022, I returned to Singapore and was hired by Singapore Airlines (SIA) for the position of Partnerships and International Relations Executive. I had recently been promoted to Senior Partnerships and International Relations Executive in August 2024 and plan to focus on the sub-fields of sustainability and governance to grow my career.

Please tell us about your current work. What led you to this profession?

AlvinI have always had a keen interest in aviation from a young age, as I vividly remember my parents frequently took me on weekend outings to the airport in Singapore. I would be mesmerized by the sight of huge planes taking off and landing. I had to find a future in the industry.

In my role as a Partnerships and International Relations Executive, my responsibilities lie with managing the portfolio of SIA’s airline partners in the Oceania and Pacific regions. I mainly engage my counterparts through negotiation and consensus-building with the aim of offering world-class products and services for our customers through numerous partnership initiatives.

© Singapore Airlines

AlvinI also manage SIA’s relationship with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), engaging in policy-shaping for a range of salient topics in the aviation world, such as safety, security and sustainability. Some of my other responsibilities include being the risk management and sustainability representative for the department.

I feel that my role is far from mundane and truly enriching, owing to the opportunities that allow me to widen my horizon to better understand every nook and cranny of the aviation industry.

How does your experience while at the College of International Relations benefit you now?

AlvinAt the College of International Relations, two academic experiences stood out greatly and put me in good stead in my career path. I fondly remember Global Simulation Gaming (GSG), a module that highlighted the importance of being well-prepared to go into a discussion or negotiation setting. Another positive aspect to highlight is how the experience at the College of International Relations has honed my writing skills to put salient points across in an effective and convincing manner.

Not just academic and career skills, the College of International Relations also highlighted the importance of interpersonal skills. I learnt to better respect differences and embrace diversity, as well as learning the ways of conveying opinions and stances in a measured manner. While this definitely helps in my daily work as I regularly engage with people from diverse backgrounds, it serves to improve my overall character as well – just to be a better human being.

When looking back on your days at Ritsumeikan University, how do you find the College of International Relations attractive?

AlvinI loved the fact that campus life at the College of International Relations was vibrant and full of energy, with many opportunities to make lifelong friends from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Many of my friends were made in the classroom, where the College’s focus on discussion-based syllabi and interactive learning allowed everyone to express their opinions and, in the process, learn more about each other.

I also fondly recall the time when the college actively assisted and advised students during the early stages of COVID-19. One of the highlights was how the college quickly and effectively implemented home-based learning, ensuring that no student was left behind. This deeply impressed me.

Another attractive point is that Ritsumeikan University and the College of International Relations leverages on Kyoto’s status as the epicenter of Japanese culture very well. The University and College combines its strategic location and engaging modules to provide an amazing environment for students.

Could you send some messages to prospective and current students for the College of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University?

AlvinFirstly, be bold. Have the courage to put across your opinions and have the same capacity to engage and consider opposing views in a respectful manner. Many, if not all, professors afford students the space to ideate and opine, so it is an ideal opportunity to broaden your horizon by considering different viewpoints while ensuring your voice is heard.

Secondly, make it a point to develop personal relationships. Make the effort to have a group of friends and if opportunities arise, engage with your community. These support structures will be there to celebrate good times and raise you up during bad ones, so I cannot stress the importance of having these relationships enough.

Thirdly, just have fun. As alluded to earlier, Kyoto, in my opinion is one of the premier cities in Japan, where there so much to learn and see. Stopping short of suggesting that our academic responsibilities are not important, there needs to be ways that one can relax. Whether it be taking a leisurely walk along Kamogawa, visiting the numerous cultural sites or just slowing down and spending a day on things you would love to do, it greatly helps towards sustaining our efforts to fulfill our academic responsibilities as a student.

September 2024