Introduce yourself in three words or phrases.
Global. Adaptive. Driven.
What do you like most about your job?
I love helping international students worldwide to reach their fullest potential and to access the best of education. I believe that human wisdom and experience are really worthy investments. A capable individual can bring transformation not only in themselves but also in their family, industry, and even country.
So, we have to unlock the potential of the students with the help of education.
Best work trip/Worst work trip?
One of the most memorable work trips for me has been to Oxford to the Said Business School in order to wrap up Uoffer Global’s collaboration with Oxford Said on the Uoffer Global MBA scholarship programme with an official signing ceremony.
Oxford is one of those cities that is full of both beauty and history, so it became a perfect backdrop for such an important event. On this trip, colleagues joined us from China, lending the special ingredient of collaboration and cultural exchange.
We had some really interesting discussions, and the actual signing ceremony was done with a wonderful sense of occasion and formality. This scholarship holds profound meaning; it embodies our commitment to the empowerment of future leaders through education.
If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?
I would choose French. Not only is French one of the most widely spoken languages globally, enabling communication across numerous countries and cultures, but it also aligns with our strategic priorities.
With partner universities in France, mastering French would strengthen our relationships and facilitate deeper collaboration in education and beyond. Also, speaking good French would make our cultural communication and marketing expansion smoother as it opens up doors to new opportunities, not only in France but also in other French-speaking regions across the globe.
What makes you get up in the morning?
The work that I do is helping students change dreams into realities through education. Also, seeing Uoffer Global’s team grow is my motivation as I am supporting my team to work at their best potential.
Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?
Warren Buffett is a true champion we all should look up to. Besides the fact he teaches us the essence of long-term thinking when investing, he has taught me to think more about life.
Buffett says that learning should happen as early as possible to compound over time; this helps me reflect upon the fact that, after all, the real value lies in lifelong learning. With ever-changing markets and industries, one has to continue investing in knowledge and skills to stay ahead. The essence of education is long-term growth orientation, which is also a basis for permanent success. Buffett’s commitment to this ideal makes him an individual from whom we can learn.
Best international ed conference and why
PIE Live Europe 2024: The insight into trends and innovative practices in student recruitment within the context of international education was so valuable.
Moreover, the opportunities to meet inspiring people such as Lord Jo Johnson and The PIE’s CEO Amy Baker made it truly unforgettable. It was truly inspiring for my mind to listen to them talk, and again it reminded me about the importance of exchanging ideas and collaborating with passionate and visionary people from the industry.
Worst conference food/beverage experience
This is not really applicable, for I am an open-minded person about food. I am always adventurous when it comes to food; but then again, I don’t handle spice well so perhaps spicy cuisine is one thing I’d be hesitant to have.
Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?
I would suggest The Wisdom Of The Talmud: A Thousand Years Of Jewish Thought. This book encompasses ethics, leadership, and human relations. All of these qualities are needed within the educational domain.
The most valuable thing that a reader can learn from this book is how lifelong learning and critical thinking can help influence society effectively. The timeless wisdom of the Talmud gives ways to understand diversified perspectives and make quality contacts, which again is something very important that one should possess in a globalised and pluralistic industry.
It is, therefore, an opportunity to reflect on how to leverage, to the full extent, all the good things from ideologies, perspectives, and countries.
Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you
I am very delighted that Uoffer Global is in the process of exploring more university partners, since we see more demands for diverse needs when it comes to studying abroad. We are trying to satisfy the needs of the students by providing them with solutions that are more customised; hence, we are expanding our network so that we have the resources to provide better solutions to our students.
We also intend to do more analysis of data in the near future so that we may publish our own reports and give valuable insights to the industry, and eventually publish a white paper.
The other flagship project I want to point out is we are designing more recruitment projects to help universities enhance their conversion rate, which again helps with their resilience and sustainability.
I always believe innovative ideas are needed because growing up in China and pursuing higher education in the UK has given me a truly global perspective. Having experienced a full economic cycle, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how global markets evolve. In the field of international education, where markets, clients, and policies shift every year, adaptability is essential.