Bridging Cultures, Shaping Futures
My story starts in Chennai, South India, where I was born. Growing up with mixed Eurasian heritage, I experienced diversity firsthand through my own family. At the age of three, we moved to Malaysia, where the country’s rich mix of cultures shaped most of my early years. Moving between these worlds taught me something: humans are connected in ways we may not fully realise when remaining within the confines of one place. Understanding the world on a macro level, learning the shared history of people, and realising that human values and dreams connect us, no matter where we're from, matters. This foundation, paired with a longing to connect better with people as an introvert, played a part in why I chose the business programme at Sunway.
My educational journey at Sunway began at Sunway College, where I completed the Cambridge GCE Advanced-Level (A-Level), followed by Victoria University Bachelor of Business. I then continued my postgraduate studies at Sunway Business School, completing a Master in Sustainable Development Management and a Doctor of Philosophy (Business). This educational journey allowed me to grow academically, personally, and professionally while being part of the Sunway community for more than a decade.
The university did more than teach theory; it challenged me to tackle real-world problems and encouraged me to meet and collaborate with people from different backgrounds. The SBS Embassy Series, organised by Dr Arumugam Muthusamy, was one of the initiatives that had the greatest impact on my journey. It allowed me to meet people I would otherwise have had little chance of encountering, including individuals deeply involved in politics and national security who engage on the world stage alongside presidents and rulers.
Through these connections, I gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of understanding different cultures and maintaining global harmony while balancing national interests. This experience taught me that cultures are unique and should be preserved, while recognising the delicate balance between diversity and integration in global collaboration. Each culture contributes its own part to our shared human story, and this belief has shaped how I see the world. Mutual respect and understanding, built through communication and empathy, are essential to achieving global harmony and peace.
Throughout my studies, my path moved through business consultancy, research, and sustainability strategy, then into marketing, with mentors like Dr Benedict Arulanandam guiding me. I was fortunate to also have mentors like Professor Leong Choon Heng, who helped me get involved in the Harvard Club of Malaysia's Prize Book Programme. I organised it for five years, recognising hundreds of Malaysia's most promising young scholars and carrying Harvard's legacy of celebrating excellence into classrooms across the country.
Towards the end of my time at Sunway, with the guidance of my supervisors, Dr Khor Kuan Siew and Dr Ooi Pei Boon, I completed a four-year PhD study on sustainable energy management for hospitals in Malaysia. Alongside it, I ran seminars and corporate training on SDGs and ESG for several companies.
Another turning point came when I began mentoring Japanese students at Sunway, helping them settle into life abroad and organising events with the university and the Harvard Club to encourage students’ participation. These experiences built lasting friendships and connections, eventually leading me to become a teacher at Ikubunkan Global High School in Tokyo, where students embraced the same global, SDG-driven thinking Sunway instilled in me. The values I carried from SBS, such as cross-cultural curiosity, respect for different perspectives, and the belief in education extend beyond syllabus, align naturally with the environment I work in today.
My advice to fellow Sunwayian is to learn from your mistakes, think positively, be honest, look beyond your syllabus, and remains curious about people from different backgrounds. Have a clear vision of where you want to be, and trust in yourself and God. Wherever your path leads, let these lessons be an anchor.
David Frank Ahimaz
Doctor of Philosophy (Business) (2025)
Master in Sustainable Development Management (2020)
Bachelor of Business 3+0 in Collaboration with Victoria University of Melbourne, Australia (2018)
Cambridge GCE Advanced Level (2015)
