Cambodia Investment Review
On episode 127 of the Rising Giants podcast, Max Thornton interviewed Alywin Oh, the Founder and Lead Trainer at Brighton Academy Asia. The conversation tracked Alywin’s journey from working with young people in Singapore to establishing Brighton Academy Asia, a non-profit leadership and soft skills training network for the region.
The academy focuses on helping young Southeast Asian professionals, university and high school students develop their careers and reach their fullest potential through training and mentoring. Brighton Academy Asia is currently active in Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines through partnerships with universities, high schools and private companies.
Bridging The Gap For Soft Skills Development
Alywin was experienced leading and working with youth for over 15 years in Singapore, before moving to Cambodia in 2019. He recounted, “My greatest life goal is to help others discover and become the best versions of themselves. I have been visiting Cambodia since 2011. When we moved to Phnom Penh, we noticed that there were many young people in our community who were eager to learn and had brilliant ideas but were shy to express themselves. We felt that there was an opportunity to address this gap to improve soft skills such as communication, leadership and career coaching.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Alywin was able to kickstart the training work through connections brought to him through a mutual friend. Brighton Academy Asia partners with universities, such as the National University of Management, Royal University of Phnom Penh, and University of Puthisastra, as well as private high schools, development agencies, and digital skills institutions. They have also collaborated with the private sector, such as banks and insurance companies, to refer students for internships and job opportunities.
“Our training workshops initially used the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator. We then expanded to team dynamics, leadership, communication, stress management, professional branding, social media, time management, goal setting and habit formation, and personal finance modules,” Alywin said.
The academy offers their training free-of-charge but remains selective about the partners they work with, ensuring aligned values and a genuine care for people development.
Building the Academy – Access for All
Max asked Alywin how the academy started and its connection with his work as a pastor. Alywin explained, “Our team first came to Cambodia in 2010 to conduct a feasibility study for planting a church. In the past, Christian missionaries built schools, hospitals and tended to the weak and sick. In our modern, highly stressful digital age, I believe the need for digital literacy, financial literacy and personal mastery is more important than ever. My team and I are equipped with the skills and resources for training and we feel that this is the way that we can contribute to society and human flourishing.
As a non-religious entity, we provide soft skills training and people development to benefit anyone interested to grow. My vision for Brighton Academy Asia is that it would be a network for like-minded professionals who can support one another in their pursuit for excellence and healthy personal lives. In 2021, during Covid-19, we had our first official online training class, and post-pandemic, as the country opened up, we started conducting physical our trainings more broadly.”
On the expansion outside Cambodia, Alywin said, “When we started in Cambodia, I made a deal with God, that I didn’t want to rely on cold calls or emails like a salesman. I want to work with those who come to us through word of mouth, what I consider to be “divine interventions”.
This approach worked for us, as our training courses have a market value, but as a not-for-profit with limited resources, we are selective about the partners we work with. It is the same approach we adopt as we expand into the Philippines and Thailand. We believe that our work adds value to the fast-growing frontier markets in Southeast Asia, training capable talent with good values, strong leadership and communication skills.”
Aligned Values & A Genuine Care For Staff Development
Reflecting on memorable moments, Alywin shared, “The most rewarding part is when students come to us after training, having truly learned something, and thanking us for the session. Seeing them fill out their personal development plans and acting on them, which leads to them landing jobs and internships, is incredibly fulfilling.”
Read More: Opinion – Essential Skills for Young Cambodians to Excel in their Careers
Looking ahead, Alywin has big dreams for Brighton Academy Asia. “In Cambodia, we aim to nurture the next generation of Khmer leaders who can mentor others, a practice not very common here because of what I call a “bong culture”. It’s where a younger person keeps quiet out of respect or fear of an older person, and where the older person (usually in authority) is not so open to consider the perspective of their younger staff.
We hope to promote mutual understanding and respect across generations at the workforce. Our greater dream is to be a non-profit training and mentoring network for the region and see the younger generation help each other and prosper together,” he said.
Personal Insights and Future Aspirations
Max inquired about Alywin’s daily routine and sources of inspiration. Alywin shared, “My daily routine includes prayer, meditation, and reading the Bible. I also wake up early around 6 am and make time for the gym. These habits help me stay grounded and focused on my goals.”
When asked about his influences in life, Alywin credited his senior pastor, his missions pastor and his personal mentor and advisor at the church for their pivotal support. He added that they were instrumental in his journey, providing much needed guidance and wisdom over the years.
Alywin emphasized the importance of mentorship and the impact it has on personal development. “Mentorship is crucial. It’s about helping others discover their potential and grow. Additionally, seeing the progress of those you mentor is incredibly rewarding,” he said. The dual principle that drives his personal approach to mentoring goes like this: “Do for others what others have done for me. Do for others what I wish someone had done for me.”
Brighton Academy Asia, under Alywin’s leadership, continues to grow and make a significant impact on the youth in Cambodia and beyond. With a focus on raising self-awareness and personal discovery, leadership and communication skills, the academy is poised to create a new generation of leaders who can contribute to their communities and the region.
