Lim Weng Marc

Course: Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Honours), 2010 and Doctor of Philosophy, 2015
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Dean and Distinguished Professor, Sunway University

Please tell us about your postgraduate research.

My PhD research on group buying enables buyers to save more and sellers to sell more. In particular, my research uncovered empirically-tested strategies that firms can deploy to enlarge the size of buyer aggregation in group buying, which occurs when buyers form a group to enter into discounted bulk deals. This allows buyers to purchase products at a discount and sellers to obtain an immediate pool of customers, thereby creating a win-win relationship between buyers and sellers.

Why did you choose Monash?

As a go-getter, I always go for the best, including studying at the best university. In that sense, choosing Monash was a simple decision—it was, and continues to be, the highest-ranked university in the country!

The quality of education at Monash was truly exceptional. I received expert supervision from professors who were world-renown business experts. With the training I had in Monash, I was confident to pursue a bold move after the completion of my PhD—that is, to relocate from West to East Malaysia. I chose Swinburne, who in my view, had the best platform for impact creation and career success. Indeed, five years have passed, and I have risen up to the rank of Full Professor in the process of creating and leading a truly stellar business school at Swinburne’s international branch campus in Kuching, Sarawak.

What type of opportunities did you participate in?

I had the opportunity to present my research at international conferences during my time at Monash, and in the process of doing so, won three Best Paper Awards—one each in Greece, South Korea, and the United States!

Five years later, I have become an author of more than 40 manuscripts in journals ranked ‘A*’ and ‘A’ by the Australian Business Deans Council and the Excellence in Research Australia journal ranking lists. These successes were made possible by the world-class research education that I received during my time at Monash.

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

Monash recruits only the cream of the crop, so student life at Monash was always intellectually stimulating.

What is your career goal?

I reckon that a truly remarkable and satisfying academic career is one that makes a lasting impression on others: one that inspires people to believe that the impossible is possible, and that disruptive ideas and innovations are not shunned but embraced, encouraged, celebrated, recognized, and rewarded. It inspires people to believe that meritocracy – not gerontocracy or kakistocracy – is practised and rewarded, that achievements, merits, and talents are not ignored but recognized and rewarded in an equitable and timely manner, regardless of age, gender, experience, or race, and that ethics and good moral values are upheld and practised without fear or favour. My greatest professional aspiration is to continue to break glass ceilings and assist, coach, and inspire others to do the same, individually and collectively, with ethics, pride, and integrity.