By Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA)
On December 2, 2024, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) welcomed a delegation from First Nurture International SDN BHD (FNI), Malaysia, to deepen their ongoing collaboration in developing impactful programs, particularly in the areas of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This engagement builds on over two years of productive partnership, with a focus on advancing regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
First Nurture International Sdn Bhd (FNI) is a Malaysian-based consultancy specializing in business strategy and management. FNI offers comprehensive consulting and training services across various business domains, delivering customized strategies, optimizing operations, and driving innovation to scale businesses to new heights.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li extended a warm welcome to the FNI delegation, expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership and highlighting the significant role that collaborations with the private sector, such as this one, play in AIT’s outreach efforts. Prof. Li emphasized that at AIT, currently, we are focusing on areas such as ESG initiatives, and he believes this provides a strong foundation for future cooperation. There may be other opportunities for collaboration not just in Malaysia but across the Southeast Asia region as well.
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA), expressed his pleasure in welcoming the FNI team. He highlighted the strong partnership that has been built between AIT and FNI since their initial meeting in October 2022. With the upcoming meetings between the FNI team and AIT Extension, AIT looks forward to developing several training programs that will be implemented in 2025 and beyond. He also emphasized the importance of engaging with the private sector in Malaysia as part of AIT’s outreach to industries in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director of AIT Extension, mentioned that AIT’s friendship with FNI has grown over the past two years, and as we approach the end of the year, we are marking this as an important milestone to further strengthen our relationship. He stated that today’s program provides an excellent opportunity for in-depth discussions and synergy-building, as we will focus on aligning our specialities and identifying new opportunities in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region. He emphasized that FNI’s expertise and diverse client base in Malaysia bring valuable insights, creating new avenues of collaboration for AIT Extension to explore.
Dr. Shanti Raj, CEO of FNI, spoke warmly about the partnership, expressing her appreciation for the hospitality extended by AIT. She lauded the strong leadership team at AIT, headed by Prof. Pai-Chi Li, with the continued support of AIT Extension and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs. She emphasized FNI’s philosophy, stating that “Knowledge is not power; the ability to share knowledge is power,” highlighting the tone for a day of in-depth discussions aimed at shaping a successful 2025 and beyond.
Dr. Edwin Varo, FNI’s Chief Knowledge Officer, appreciated AIT’s ability to develop professionals for both academic and industry roles, noting the potential for future collaboration, especially in areas like AI and ESG. He recognizes the unique synergy between AIT’s academic strengths and FNI’s focus on market-driven solutions. He noted that infusing technology into ESG and other areas of management operations will be key to driving positive change, and we are eager to explore these possibilities further in collaboration with AIT.
Prof. Selvaraj Oyyan, Advisor, International Affairs, FNI, reflected on his longstanding association with AIT since 1990 when he first visited AIT as a student for a workshop. He reiterated FNI’s commitment to expanding this collaboration beyond borders, stating that together, we can aim to make a focused and impactful partnership in 2025, not only in Malaysia but across ASEAN and beyond.
The FNI’s team visit to AIT included in-depth discussions and brainstorming sessions with the AIT Extension team, with both teams working closely together to refine and expand their collaboration in the coming years. Key topics included the development of specialized training programs with a focus on sustainability and a shared vision of advancing corporate social responsibility in the region. First Nurture International SDN BHD (FNI), Malaysia also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with AIT Extension on 2nd December 2024.
Also present at the meeting were Mr. Thomas Lim, Senior Consultant, ESG Sustainable Supply Chain & Logistics Specialist; Mohammad Nor Safian, Senior Consultant, ESG Program Director; Ms. Janet Lee, Senior Consultant, Stakeholder Engagement; Ms. Kavesha Saravanan, Consultant, ESG Finance and Investment Manager; and Mr. Sugaanesh Ganesan, Consultant, Sustainable Marketer from FNI SDN BHD, Malaysia. And Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Director; Ms. Narumon Wangnai, Director; Dr. Pallavi Mohapatra, Senior Program Officer; Mr. Songpon Saengpun, Coordinator, from AIT Extension; and Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Advancement Officer, OAAA.
