By Caning Jaramillo
The Spanish Studies programme at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, recently welcomed a distinguished guest as part of its Business and Administration module. This Elite Master Class featured Mr Boon Seong Lim, Chief of Global Policy, Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at AirAsia Aviation Group, who joined the faculty to share his expertise with students and deliver an inspiring talk on “Dare to Dream: The Story of Capital A and AirAsia.”
In his engaging presentation, Mr Boon outlined the remarkable journey of AirAsia, from its humble beginnings to becoming one of Asia’s most recognisable brands. Students learned how, in 2001, Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun took the bold step of acquiring the struggling airline, launching operations with just two aircraft flying to Langkawi. Through passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment, AirAsia would go on to revolutionise affordable air travel in the region.
Mr Boon also addressed the significant challenges faced by the company, from the economic recession of 2009 to the unprecedented global crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. He emphasised that AirAsia’s current strength—with a fleet of over 200 aircraft flying to more than 160 destinations—and its remarkable achievement of being named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for 15 consecutive years are largely attributed to its unwavering commitment to investing in its people and staff development.
Speaking about leadership and management, Mr Boon shared insights into his role leading a regional team responsible for designing, advocating, and implementing public policies that have played a pivotal role in advancing AirAsia’s diverse business interests across ASEAN and global markets.
The session was well received by students, who were thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with a senior executive of one of the region’s most successful companies. Mr Boon provided thoughtful responses and practical advice to their questions on career pathways and industry expectations.
Prior to his role at AirAsia, Mr Boon served as a senior economist at the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM), where he provided expert assessments, forecasts, and policy advice on international economics, monetary affairs, and industrial sector policies for the Malaysian government.
This unique experience was part of an ongoing effort by the Spanish Studies programme to enrich the educational journey of students, equipping them not only with language skills but also with invaluable exposure to real-world business environments. According to Mr Caning Jaramillo, Coordinator of Industrial Training and lecturer of the Business and Administration module, these collaborations help bridge the gap between academia and industry.
“UM’s Spanish students are now presented with a wide range of professional opportunities as more industry players show interest in contributing to our students’ growth,” said Mr Jaramillo. “We are also proud of the strong collaborations we maintain with the nine Spanish-speaking embassies established in Kuala Lumpur—Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Spain—all of which are supporting our mission of providing meaningful pathways for students.”
Through bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed with international partners, UM students are now better positioned to not only master the Spanish language but also to engage in future global business exchanges. These collaborations mark a significant milestone for Universiti Malaya, promising greater personal and professional growth for students pursuing Spanish Studies.
In conclusion, this innovative partnership between Universiti Malaya, the Latin American and Spanish Embassies, and leading industry players is elevating the Spanish Studies programme to new heights, offering students exclusive access to transformative resources and career-building opportunities.
The author is the Spanish Industrial Coordinator and a Spanish Language Lecturer at the Department of Asian and European Languages, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya