Emre Buyukkilic on how Generation Z is influencing the future!

Listen to the full episode here.

In our most recent interview, we were fortunate enough to meet with Emre Buyukkilic. Emre is a country advisor and works at the Investment Office of the Presidency of Turkey. As a country advisor, he is responsible with the promotion of Turkey’s investment opportunities worldwide. Currently based in Singapore, Emre speaks on the value of being open-minded and explains how important multi-cultural openness is. 

Emre’s life has seen him progress from the commercial capital of Turkey to one of the world’s leading financial cities, Singapore. Singapore is evidently a leading insurance and wealth management marketplace with deep capital markets, and as a result, Emre is responsible for utilising such a financial centre to promote Turkish interests elsewhere.

Advice for the next generation:

Accomplished, but always hungry for more. Emre is more than capable of launching a business overseas, but he wishes he knew how to run a business. He feels that he lacks the knowledge and the skills to operationally run a business. This is one piece of advice he wants to pass onto the younger generation; spend more time developing entrepreneurial competencies and an entrepreneurial mindset. He believes that this is one of the most important qualities to have when entering the business world.

Emre also wants to impart to the younger generation the importance of never limiting oneself to a single activity. It is essential to maintain market disciplinary and multi-cultural openness. It is critical to maintain an open mind in a world that is as dysfunctional as it is ever-changing. 

Emre’s outlook on Turkey’s future:

The Turkish population is one of the youngest in Europe, and the importance of the youth’s contribution to the community is second to none. Although, according to Emre, there is already a large focus on the youth in Turkey in order to provide promising futures for Gen-Z, he believes that the government must continue with initiatives to engage the younger generations in the workforce.

The rest of the world must take notice! The younger generation is the future, and while they are often overlooked and marginalised in society, many professionals, including Emre, recognise the value and importance of investing in and focusing on our youth. Before it’s too late, maybe the world ought to listen and pay attention.

Connecting the World – Rahul Jha

Our podcast can also be listened to here.

Who?

Rahul Jha is a Program Officer at the International Telecommunications Union under the United Nations. He has done many various things in his life that have to do with Telecommunications. He has worked in numerous different companies including Nokia and Ericsson. Being a professional in his field, this interview touches upon different aspects of his job in the ITU.

Quick Summary

What is the function of the ITU?

Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, we allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.  Every time you make a phone call via the mobile, access the Internet or send an email, you are benefitting from the work of ITU. 

https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx

What are some tips on working in a multicultural work environment?

Rahul mentioned that working with people from all over the world can at times be challenging if you do not take the time to learn about their background. It takes a lot of communication and understanding one another in order to make the team cohesive. However, Rahul said that it is an amazing experience because of all the different ideas and points of view that can be brought to the table.

How can students differentiate themselves?

Just like Rahul, many people dream to work for the United Nations. This organisation holds so many people together so it is definitely a fascinating experience. Rahul suggested that you should become an expert in whatever field it is you want to go into. Organizations like the UN have so many subsections so it is important to find a place where you fit and where your work and expertise is vital.

If you could leave the youth with one piece of advice, what would it be?

Choose different internships from different areas to make yourself more well-rounded.

“Unwillingness to give up is what will take you places.” –

Rahul Jha

Paving the Way – Molina Asthana

Our podcast can also be listened to here.

Who?

Molina Asthana is the Vice President at the Law Institute of Victoria, Australia. Molina is on the board of Directors at Gymnastics Victoria and Good Shepard. Molina is also part of a lot of different leadership roles in Australia.

Quick Summary

What was your journey like?

Molina came to Australia after practicing law back in India. Her goal was to work in the top tier Law firms. After obtaining a Masters at the University of Melbourne, Molina started to look for a job. Along the way she was faced with many problems that had to do with equality and cultural acceptance in Australia. Many people told her that she would not be able to obtain a position in top tier firms, however, after networking and finding people she could contact, she found herself working in those big firms. Now Molina is on the board of Directors for various different companies. She works with initiatives that help fight inequality amongst cultural backgrounds in Australia, women in sport as well as equality in justice.

Why should people look into studying law?

Molina believes that law is a very multifaceted area of study. Having a law degree or at the very least, having a basic understanding of the concepts, helps an individual pave the way into various different fields of work. From management to sport, the qualities that are obtained are valuable for people of any background.

Question from our guest student, Ella Mercurio, a Law student at Durham University

Why is it important to have judicial diversity?

Molina stated that it is important in order to understand different cultural differences when it comes to serving justice to an individual. She pointed out that there are certain characteristics and upbringings when it comes to individuals and therefore, some of those unique differences can be seen as a barrier to justice if not understood. Molina said that there are many initiatives that are taking place in order to combat this inequality. From quotas to unconscious bias training, governments are trying to make judicial systems much more diverse.

If you could leave the youth with one piece of advice, what would it be?

Own your heritage.

“When there is no role model, it motivates me more to be the first and do something that hasn’t been done yet.” –

Molina Asthana

New life – Dr. Vincent Candrawinata

Our podcast can also be listened to here.

Who?

Vincent is a researcher and founder in Australia who created a new design of antioxidants that can be used for humans. This is called activated phenolics, made out of apples. Vincent shared his journey of moving from Indonesia to Australia in 2008 for his Bachelors degree to continuing in the science field and creating a new form of benefiting the body.

Quick Summary

What was your journey like?

Vincent started out in his journey back in Indonesia where he was born. As he went on with his schooling life, he realized that he really didn’t see himself growing more than he already has at home so he decided to move to Australia to complete his bachelors degree. Australia being expensive to live in, Vincent wanted to finish his bachelors degree as soon as possible and he did complete it in 2 years instead of 3. Having an extra year on his study visa, he then decided to take the time to start a research program. That was the start of his journey into the field of research and science.

What are some key points for introducing a new product?

Vincent believes that as long as you follow correct guidelines, be it medical or not, the response from the public is largely dependent on the media. He said that he gives a lot of credit to the media because without it, he does not think his product would take off. Word of mouth is also very important because one person can try the product and if it works, it will automatically start a chain reaction.

Question from our guest student, Akmal Fikri Omar Farouk, student at UC Berkley

What are some things that you can bring in from our research experience and apply to business?

Vincent had two answers. Firstly, the ability to not take no as an answer. Vincent said that science and giving up, do not mix well together and neither does it work well with business. You have to be open to all kinds of set backs and failures until you finally get to get the result you want. Vincent’s second answer was more comedic and he said that the ability to stay awake helped him get where he is now!

If you could leave the youth with one piece of advice, what would it be?

Whilst it’s good to be an important person, it’s even more important to be good person.

“It’s not your job to make people believe in your dream.” –

Vincent Candrawinata