Interesting, transformative, and empowering—these are the three words that Ridhwan Rosli used to describe his experience studying at University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM).
Ridhwan Rosli is a corporate director, entrepreneur, and policy advocate. In 2013, he graduated from UNM with a MA in Cultural Studies (International Communications).
We had the opportunity to interview Ridhwan Rosli regarding his experience both during his time studying at UNM and his expansive career today.
When asked what he currently does for a living, Ridhwan shared that he holds directorships and shareholding in multiple private and public limited companies, with interests ranging from chemicals, information technology, education, sports, natural resources, international trade, asset protection and lost prevention, to finance.
“My day-to-day life is mostly a blend of board governance, stakeholders’ engagement, and making executive decisions,” said Ridhwan. “In simple words—emails, phone calls, meetings, and cordial catching up with stakeholders that might involve more than five coffee sessions in five different locations in a day.”
Beyond the corporate world, Ridhwan is also passionate about academia and the civil society movement. He actively comments on current affairs via social media from time to time. He even does part-time lectures to keep himself engaged with the younger generation. This is so that he could understand that specific demographic better.
Furthermore, Ridhwan’s interest in academia is evident in his contributions to written publications. He has co-authored several books and journal articles ranging from postcolonialism to intelligence and economy. “But I can hardly find the time to do it these days,” Ridhwan admitted when speaking of the publications he was the co-author of. “I am still working on my Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).”
Navigating the corporate world
According to Ridhwan, the most difficult part of the job is not the workload—it is the act of making executive decisions that no one else could take responsibility for. Especially when the decisions could result in a financial impact, or disruption in the sustainability of an organisation.
Even though Ridhwan has been climbing the unconventional career ladder for over a decade now since he graduated from UNM, he could still recall the processes he had gone through to secure a job in the working world, way before having everything that he has achieved today.
“My career path was not the step by step climb up a traditional corporate ladder,” stated Ridhwan. “I started off as an academician right after I graduated with a degree back when I was 21. After being attached for over seven years to a public university, I was given opportunities to pursue a career with private companies, given my leadership in civil society movements. It has exposed me to greater understanding of government relations, policy, and process.”
For Ridhwan, instead of looking for better salaries or any kind of financial remuneration, he decided to barter trade his expertise and contribution towards certain companies with equity.
“And that’s how I started growing my shareholding and interest in multiple companies,” Ridhwan shared. “I often ask myself how I could be relevant to a specific organisation or company, and how I could add value or fill up existing gaps. Little by little, my exposure and experiences are polished. I find myself becoming more strategic—more passionate in understanding businesses beyond regular processes and daily routines.”
The benefits of being a Nottingham graduate
When asked whether being a Nottingham graduate is a plus point for him in his career, Ridhwan did not hesitate to say yes. “Definitely,” he answered. “The University of Nottingham Malaysia carries weight in one’s profile. It signals a strong intellectual baseline and analytical depth. Besides, it also sets a high baseline of what people can expect from an individual.”
To Ridhwan, UNM consists of reputable academic staff with strong backgrounds. People would always expect the best from students who learned from the best.
“I was learning postcolonialism from the editor of an encyclopaedia that defined postcolonialism. It was like having a living encyclopaedia teaching you the subject itself,” Ridhwan said as he reminisced about his studies here at UNM. “Personalities like those of Sean Matthews, Zaharom Nain, Tessa Houghton, and Joanne Lim didn’t just shape my learning experience in UNM, but also, to a certain extent, define who I was when I graduated.”
At UNM, our academic staff do more than just teaching the students according to the syllabus provided. Our students not only learn from the best in the field, but also significant skill sets that they can carry with them into the working world, way past their time in university.
For Ridhwan, a skill he learned at UNM and still apply at work today is the ability to be pragmatic through fast critical and analytical thinking. It is not just a skill he applies at work, but also a skill he actively incorporates in his life.
“And it was not just something I learned during class, but through my visits to the university’s counselling services as well. The Wellbeing and Learning Support service which UNM offers is something I value and miss until today,” shared Ridhwan. “Being pragmatic in making decisions, in comments, and during discussions and meetings will often yield a higher impact outcome.”
Ridhwan claimed that he uses his pragmatic approach in boardroom clashes, policy debates, commentary on current issues, and intellectual discourse. He believed that we must look past emotional arguments and focus on structured, evidence-based points that balance conflicting interests of diverse stakeholders.
You may recall the three words that Ridhwan had used to describe his time studying at UNM. Here are the reasons behind the three words:
Staying active as an alumnus
As an alumnus, Ridhwan is also active when it comes to participating in the events that are organised by the Alumni Relations team.
In 2026 alone, Ridhwan has attended the UNM Sponsors’ Appreciation Dinner, which was held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur on 7 May. It was an opportunity to reconnect with faculty members that he had not seen in over a decade. He even attended the special movie screening of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which to him is the highlight amidst all the events.
“On a purely personal note, the recent alumni screening of The Mandalorian and Grogu was a highlight,” he said. “I’m a big fan of Star Wars, so watching that with fellow graduates was great. And honestly, Baby Yoda (Grogu) is too cute to miss.”
Ridhwan also added that moving forward, he would love to see more informal yet structured activities where alumni can engage with current students. “The goal shouldn’t be sharing polished success stories,” Ridhwan added, “but to have raw, honest conversations about patience, dealing with failure, delegation, and building relationships.”
Why you should study at the University of Nottingham Malaysia
According to Ridhwan Rosli, “enrolling to the University of Nottingham Malaysia doesn’t just look great on your resume or your profile—the learning experience allows you as an individual to become a better version of yourself.”
Ridhwan believes that “tertiary education is not supposed just to teach us specific subjects, but in general pushes us to be the best version of ourselves.” The international campus setting would allow for diverse demographic interactions.
One does not simply leave the university with a piece of paper that is their degree, but one leaves UNM with the capacity and capability to adapt with future changes and uncertainty.
Ridhwan’s advice to current students who are still figuring out their future
“It is quite straightforward: focus on transferable skills such as communication, problem solving, and critical thinking. And be patient. Transferable skills go beyond the boundaries of industries or sectors. It goes beyond career levels, polished through experience and exposures,” said Ridhwan.
A career path doesn’t often form a straight line. It is normal to explore, recalibrate, and pivot. It is normal for us humans to change our minds and make mistakes along the way.
“I’ve made plenty of my own missteps, some I’m not proud of,” said Ridhwan. “For example, just right before the pandemic, I bought a football club (Felda United), rebranded it to Rakyat United, but we were unable to play in the Malaysia Super League as the privatisation of the club didn’t fully conclude when I made the purchase. The mistake was this—I expedited the due diligence process. It cost a significant loss to me and the company.
“But I am thankful for such an experience as it made me who I am today. Eventually, we would learn to pick ourselves up faster every time we fall. It is alright to cry, to be sad from time to time, but we must get back up. We must be pragmatic and find a solution for ourselves despite the emotions that weigh on us.”
To Ridhwan, humanity is vital when it comes to career and personal growth. We must learn to genuinely forgive others, forgive ourselves, and move forward with a clear head. Learn to trust people and delegate properly—draw lines to a certain extent when it comes to things that matter most to us. “When we treat our stakeholders with empathy, we build a career that isn’t just successful on paper, but also deeply fulfilling,” said Ridhwan.
“One last thing: never tie our happiness to a future milestone,” he added. “Find joy right now, even when you are buried under academic stress or personal commitments. Look for it in the small, everyday moments. Quality living is not in the future; it is the present. Happiness can’t wait; it is now.”
Connect with Ridhwan Rosli today.
To be featured on the University of Nottingham Malaysia alumni page, please email us at alumnirelations@nottingham.edu.my.
Posted on 21st July 2026