WHEN Kimberly Ann Ngieng walked across the stage at Wawasan Open University’s (WOU) 16th Convocation Ceremony in November 2025, it marked far more than the end of a two-year study journey. For the 32-year-old Sarawakian, it was the closing chapter on a life lived between continents, airports, and time zones—and the bold beginning of a new, purposeful career path.
A former flight attendant with a renowned international airline, Kimberly is now a proud graduate of the Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration (CEMBA). Her story is a powerful testament that a second chance at education can completely transform one’s future, no matter how long the pause—and the initial inspiration came from the most personal source — her mother.
Five years ago, Kimberly watched with pride as her mother, Vetty Ng, then an HR administrator in the banking industry, graduated with a Master of Education (MEd) from WOU.
“She took up the MEd just for fun, to be honest. She enjoys learning, and she wanted to teach young children,” Kimberly shared with a laugh.
To Kimberly, her mother’s academic pursuit proved that learning has no expiry date. It also planted a seed: if her mother could excel despite demanding work and family commitments, she too could go further.
The WOU Difference: APEL and Global Learning
Her mother also introduced her to WOU’s APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) pathway, which allows working adults to pursue higher qualifications based on their professional experience. Coming from a diploma background, APEL became her critical stepping stone into the CEMBA programme — the key that unlocked opportunities she had long assumed were out of reach.
“If not for WOU’s flexibility and the APEL pathway, I don’t think I’d be where I am today,” she said.
Throughout her studies, Kimberly continued her unpredictable, irregular-houred work as a flight attendant. WOU’s fully flexible Open and Distance Learning (ODL) model made this possible, allowing her to study from anywhere in the world. She carved out what she calls ‘pockets of time’—in hotel rooms, café terraces, and even while travelling.
“One of my fondest memories was completing assignments in my favourite city, Paris. It was such an amazing experience to be able to do my assignments while eating foie gras!” she reminisced.
“Once, when my family visited me in Milan and I had an assignment due, I didn’t want to miss quality time with them. So I brought my laptop and completed my work on the four-hour train ride to and from Florence!” she added.
MBA as the Catalyst for Corporate Transition
Returning to studies after a long break was initially daunting. “I didn’t know if I still had it in me. I was afraid I couldn’t keep up,” Kimberly admitted.
WOU’s well-structured modules, supportive tutors, and a learning ecosystem designed for working adults helped her ease back in. Her thesis — supervised by Assoc Prof Dr Gary Tan, Executive Dean of WOU’s School of Business and Administration — became her biggest academic challenge and ultimately, her proudest milestone.
“I had never written a thesis before…But I grew a lot from that process. It gave me the skills in analysis, reading, and research that were immediately transferable to my new career,” she noted.
In June 2025, shortly after completing her MBA, Kimberly made a decisive career leap — transitioning from the hospitality-driven world of aviation into a strategic digital marketing role.
Today, she serves as a Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager, overseeing content planning, campaign execution, and shaping her company’s online brand presence.
“Having the CEMBA definitely set me apart from other candidates,” she said. “It wasn’t just about learning business concepts — it was about building leadership, decision-making, and communication skills that I now use every single day.”
Reflecting on her next chapter, she shared, “I want to step into bigger leadership roles that creates impact along the way…hopefully representing Malaysia and our capabilities well wherever my work takes me.”
A Growing Pathway for East Malaysians to Reinvent Themselves
To her fellow East Malaysians who worry they’ve been away from education too long, or fear they won’t be able to keep up, Kimberly has a clear message:
“Just start. It’s never too late, and it’s never too impossible. You’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve.”
And Kimberly is living proof of that message. Having successfully transitioned into a new corporate role, she demonstrates that reinvention is not defined by age, location, or background — it begins the moment someone decides to take that first step. Her MBA may have opened the door to a new industry, but the direction she is charting now reflects a far larger purpose and ambition.
WOU’s Commitment to East Malaysia
Since its establishment in 2006, Wawasan Open University has supported over 30,000 working adults nationwide in upskilling, reskilling, and advancing their careers through flexible learning, with 2,500 learners hailing from East Malaysia.
To date, more than 630 working adults from Sabah and Sarawak — with 80% aged below 50 — have completed their diploma, bachelor’s, and postgraduate studies with WOU, contributing to our growing alumni network of nearly 10,000 nationwide. These learners across East Malaysia continue to receive dedicated support from WOU’s Kuching Regional Centre, ensuring professionals just like Kimberly can balance full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and personal growth.
