Celebrating 40 Years of SIM-UoL: Alumni Stories of Impact and Achievement (Part 1)

26 June 2026

As 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the partnership between Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and the University of London (UoL), we celebrate four decades of empowering students through a globally recognised education. Over the years, the SIM-UoL programme has nurtured generations of graduates who have gone on to build meaningful careers across industries and around the world.

In this special feature, we highlight several alumni whose journeys reflect the diverse paths and achievements of the SIM-UoL community — stories shaped by opportunity, resilience, and the enduring impact of their time at SIM.

Milton Ang

Talent Manager, Asia Pacific, Parker Hannifin

BSc (Econs) Management Studies | 1990

Milton Ang (2^nd from the right) at his SIM-UoL graduation

Looking back, BSc (Econs) in Management Studies was a new programme in Singapore, and it differentiated my degree from other local and overseas universities while allowing me to remain in Singapore. Management studies had always been my keen area of interest, and SIM was already known for its strong focus in this field. The lecturers were more practitioners than academics, giving a practical slant compared to traditional academia.

I found it stimulating to research various management journals to understand management studies in depth, and to apply that knowledge to dissect what makes successful companies and leaders tick. Socially, my relatively small cohort helped us bond quickly, and I even met my wife-to-be, who was my junior.

I steadily progressed in the field of leadership development, first as an HR consultant delivering programmes for multinational companies regionally and later working for some of these MNCs in-house. My longest stint of 18 years in a global automotive components manufacturing company allowed me to transition into managing talent programmes. As a talent manager, I oversee the processes for talent acquisition, leadership development, performance management, and succession planning.

The SIM experience blurred the distinction between studies and the business world, enabling me to practice much of what I learned. Supervising a team gave me the chance to put what I had learned in leadership into practice, helping each member grow and perform beyond their potential. The lessons from SIM continue to shape the way I approach challenges and guide my work every day. These experiences reinforced a simple truth: learning doesn't end at graduation.

Never believe those who say you give the books back when you leave university. Learn with the intention of applying knowledge to improve your performance and reflect on lessons learnt from your mistakes. Measure your personal growth not by your job title, salary or grade, but by your ability to do more.  

Sin Hong Wee

Senior Vice President, Maybank Singapore

BSc (Econs) Management Studies | 1992

Left to right: Lovely reunion in the early 2000s with my junior Yandy, Rosie Gosling, then UoL Programme Director, Sylvia Yeo, Assistant Director at SIM, Sin Hong Wee, and Professor Susan Dev, then Chairman of Board of Examiners


Claire Ferone, Senior Business Support Services Manager at UoL, Alumnus Eliza Teo (2011), Sylvia Yeo, Assistant Director at SIM, and Sin Hong Wee at Eden Hall in April 2024

Reflecting on my journey since graduation, I’m grateful for the opportunities and experiences that SIM-UoL has given me. The UoL programme opened the door to the banking sector, where one of my most memorable experiences was managing a team of twenty-one colleagues. The management studies pathway in my degree helped tremendously in equipping me with the skills needed to lead effectively. Being a leader who listens, supports teammates in their growth, and continues learning has been an important part of that journey.

I also valued the academic rigour of my studies, even though I had to work hard to overcome some of my weaker subjects. Along the way, I formed strong friendships with my classmates, many of whom I still keep in touch with today. The discipline and analytical thinking developed through my time at SIM-UoL have continued to benefit me in my career, helping me approach and resolve challenges at work, something I remain deeply grateful for.
 

Kulwant Bardh

Head of Enterprise Learning and Partnerships. Nanyang Executive Education, Nanyang Business School, NTU

BSc Management | 1997

Studying in the LSE-led programme was a defining experience for me. It provided the global perspective I was seeking in being practical, analytical, and deeply relevant to business realities. It gave me the confidence to connect theory to practice and strengthened my appetite for continuous learning. SIM was, for me, a bridge to the world: globally recognised university partners yet locally grounded, allowing me to gain a high-quality degree with University of London through SIM, without compromising family or work commitments.

During my second year, life presented an unexpected test. I was diagnosed with a rare hip condition that required major surgery, and I spent the next one and a half years on a wheelchair and crutches. I still attended night classes, first wheeling myself into lectures, then later moving on crutches throughout my final year. It was painful and exhausting, yet it never daunted me. I persevered and was even provisionally accepted into Imperial College for an MBA based on my second-year results. I persevered and received an offer to transfer to the UK for further studies. I chose to remain in Singapore with my wife and young children instead. That experience taught me resilience and perspective, lessons that stayed with me and eventually led me to pursue my MBA at the University of Chicago.

My time at SIM was formative,academically rigorous, personally humbling, and socially enriching. The friendships built, the diversity of classmates, and the shared pursuit of growth made those years special.

Since graduation, my career has taken me across industries and continents. I have served in senior roles, leading major transformations in talent, culture, and leadership. Today, at Nanyang Business School, I am paying it forward by helping shape future leaders and organisations globally. This transition allowed me to align purpose with impact and move from success to significance.

SIM was my launchpad. It taught me how to learn, unlearn, and relearn. It was a reminder that education is not a phase but a mindset. In a world of constant change, your greatest strength is the ability to re-center, pause, reflect, and realign with your purpose. Stay curious, stay humble, and keep growing, both for yourself and those around you. Finally, make sure you always pay forward by helping leaders develop other leaders, and develop coachees and mentees in such a way that they too will go on to develop other coachees and mentees. This is the greatest essence of lasting leadership legacies.

These alumni stories are just the beginning of our celebration of 40 years of partnership. In Part 2 of this feature, more SIM-UoL alumni will share their journeys and reflections; stay tuned.