Ryan Kang Jee Hong

Name: Ryan Kang Jee Hong
Nationality: Malaysia
Current Role: Managing Director at UnBound Ignited by Celcom Xpax

If you’re currently working, please tell us about your role in your organisation.

I am the Co-founder of UnBound Malaysia and Australia which is a Malaysian based technology firm that focuses primarily on Experiential Education, Smart Retail and 5G Autonomous Infrastructure Development. My main role within the organisation is to over-sees development of new emerging technology within the ASEAN and European market. Ensuring project implementation and collaboration with local partners and government agencies to achieve a sustainable ecosystems for technology innovation.

Why did you choose to pursue your postgraduate studies at Monash Malaysia?

When I started the technology firm, I was self-learnt coder which meant that I garnered the coding skills through going to the library and finding online materials to create our first application prototype. After 7 years in the field, I believed that formal education is still essential to improve my understanding and ability in the technology field. Pursuing my postgraduate studies in the School of Information Technology will support my continuous learning journey as technologies is ever evolving. The world is changing, rapidly and I have to up skill myself daily through education to ensure that I am not a laggard in the future.

Please tell us about your study experience at Monash. Did it meet your expectations and do you think what you’re learning will help to open up more career opportunities? 

The overall experience in Monash University provided countless opportunities of growth as a student and at a professional level. Studying at Monash University connected me with industry leading researchers, policy-makers and partners which is an invaluable experience that cannot be gained anywhere else. The focused on researching and real-impact making transformed my understand on conceptualising to actualisation in an academic setting. In my day-to-day classroom experience, it was uniquely beneficial as it created an atmosphere of learning that is truly relevant to the modern world. The focus on sustainability and social inclusion concepts in technology was unique to the Monash in Malaysia.

What type of opportunities did you participate in at Monash? (E.g. student exchange, clubs and societies, field trips, conferences, competitions, etc.)

I was honoured to be a speaker at TedxMonashUniversity in 2023 to share my big idea on how technology can be transformative yet inclusive at the same time. The big idea that we wanted to showcased to the younger generation of the world is to create a technology that transcends multiple generations, ensuring audience appeal that's understandable for all kinds of people. Technology is ubiquitous in modern life and it is not unusual to see grandparents and grandchildren alike using the same social media and devices. Take lessons from the past and create for the future. Making technology accessible would be how the technology landscape will be reinvented by you. This is the time for you now to go beyond to test the limit of technology that can benefit multi-generation view.

What do you enjoy most about your student life at Monash? 

The pinnacle of my student life in Monash is having a community that is supportive and encouraging. The community in Monash provided me a support group of friends that helped challenge yourself academically yet embracing a soft touch of genuine helpfulness in my journey. It gave me an opportunity to have a multi-national and cultural experiences with people from all over the world, broadening my perspective and understanding of different cultures. Furthermore, the supportive community at Monash extends beyond academic endeavors, fostering personal growth and well-being. Through shared experiences, whether it's celebrating cultural festivals together or navigating the challenges of student life, I've developed lifelong friendships and a sense of belonging that transcends borders. This enriching environment has truly shaped me into a more empathetic and globally minded individual.

What is your biggest career goal, or what is the difference you’d like to make?

The personal goal that I dreamt since I was just a small boy was to create or build a legacy that my family and my future children can be proud of. The goal is to create a technology that can benefit everyone in the world that can even surpass my lifetime. An impact that is measured by its’ goodness and community involvement rather than personal gain. An actualised benefit that supports the world with real life impact is the difference that I pursue daily in my professional and academic path. This lifelong aspiration drives my dedication to innovation and social responsibility. I strive to pioneer technologies that not only revolutionize industries but also uplift communities and promote sustainable development. By prioritizing the greater good over personal success, I aim to leave a lasting legacy of positive change that resonates across generations.