In this episode, our resident aquaculture expert comes on board to take us beneath the surface of one of the world’s youngest yet fastest-growing food sectors. Listen as Distinguished Professor Dean Jerry – Distinguished Professor in Aquaculture and Director of the Tropical Futures Institute at James Cook University (Singapore Campus) – shares how his passion for aquaculture has grown alongside the sector’s rapid expansion over the past two decades.

This episode’s host: Dr Fanny Yasumaru, Senior Lecturer in Aquaculture at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Distinguished Professor Dean Jerry.

How has the perception of mental health changed over the years? Are we more ready to speak up about mental health today? What’s stopping men from asking for help? In this episode, Dr Victor Wong, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and Manager of the Psychology Clinic at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), shares his observations. 

This episode’s host: Dr Lucy Tan, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at the James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Dr Victor Wong.

In this episode, Dr Frederick Low, Associate Professor in Counselling at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), speaks about parenting and mental health. He shares about how parents can better understand and support their children’s emotional well-being, manage academic stress, and create safe spaces for resilience to grow – while also taking care of themselves along the way.

This episode’s host: Dr Ng Da Xuan, Lecturer in Counselling at the James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Dr Frederick Low.

Our guest for this episode is Fazal Bahardeen, Founder and CEO of CrescentRating, a global authority on halal-friendly travel; and CEO of HalalTrip, a platform and app that seeks to inspire and enable Muslim travel planning and on-trip support. Mr Bahardeen shares about his career journey, the evolution of halal tourism, and what lies ahead for this growing sector.

This episode’s host: Dr Nurhafihz Noor, Lecturer in Marketing at the James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Fazal Bahardeen.

In this episode of JCU Conversations, Ms Quah Ley Hoon – Group Chief Corporate Officer at CapitaLand Investment – shares her views on adapting to change, staying curious, and leading through uncertainty. From her transition out of public service to embracing innovation in the private sector, she talks about learning new ways of working, building and sustaining a strong organisational culture, and what AI means for the future of the workforce.

This episode’s host: Cindy Tan, Chief People Officer at the James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Quah Ley Hoon.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce, Singapore has stood the test of time, even in the face of global disruptions. How did the organisation adapt during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what lessons has it carried into a new business era? In this episode, we speak with Scott Speedie and Chris Coburn, two of AustCham’s longest-serving Board members who recently concluded their leadership tenures. They reflect on the Chamber’s evolution, the importance of cross-border cooperation, what it takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing region and more. 

This episode’s host: Wang Pengji, Acting Academic Head, JCU Business School

Connect with Scott Speedie and Chris Coburn.

Gender equality. How is Singapore doing? What’s enough, and when is it too much? Can the gender pay gap be closed? And how can we shift society’s mindset in terms of gender norms? Ms Koh Yan Ping, CEO at the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations, sits down with us to chat about pressing topics surrounding gender equality, workplace equity, ageism and the road ahead for a more inclusive Singapore.

This episode’s host: Sherry Aw, Lecturer in Psychology at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Koh Yan Ping. 

(Note: I will be using “James Cook University (Singapore Campus)” for all podcast web copies moving forward. Reason:  we are using this term in the main podcast intro).

Business transformation, digitalisation, change management and more. In this episode of JCU Conversations, we sit down with Mr Lee Tze Shiong, Director at CLA Global TS, one of the top ten largest public accounting and audit firms in Singapore. With over 30 years of experience spanning audit, advisory, business transformation, and regulatory leadership, he brings a wealth of insights on navigating change, embracing digital transformation, and preparing for the future of work.

This episode’s host: Associate Professor Caroline Wong, Associate Dean Learning and Teaching and Associate Professor in Business at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Mr Lee Tze Shiong.

CEO, board director, advisor to fellow CEOs, professional speaker, avid sportswoman and more – Su-Yen Wong is a force to be reckoned with. Su-Yen is also Chair of the Board at James Cook University in Singapore, and in this episode, she sits down with our Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Carole-Anne Upton for a candid chat about her career and how she makes it all work – with both her professional and personal pursuits.  

Listen here: https://www.jcu.edu.sg/jcu-conversations/podcasts/jcu-conversations-su-yen-wong 

We’ve heard a lot about workplace well-being, work-life balance remote working and more in recent years. But what if we look at it from the lens of research? Find out more from our Psychology lecturer Dr Sherry Aw, who specialises in research topics such as employee well-being, empathy and emotions, managing work-family life and remote work.

This episode’s host: Janlyn, President of the Psychology Societies Student Group at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Join us as we chat with Mr Kau Yi Ming, Venture Partner at Krux Asia and Managing Director at Orative Technologies Mr. Kau takes us through his career journey from the military to the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and paying it forward as an angel investor and venture partner. In this episode, he shares about one of his greatest achievements and passions: driving digital transformation in organisations.

This episode’s host: Dr Kim-Lim Tan, Lecturer at James Cook University in Singapore.

Connect with Kau Yi Ming on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we chat with Andrea Del Mattea, President Asia Pacific, Microsoft, and advisory board member at James Cook University in Singapore. Andrea reflects on her prolific global career in tech, and shares insights on harnessing artificial intelligence to make a difference and drive inclusivity across the world. She also speaks about her time at James Cook University, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering.

This episode’s host: Dr Steve Kerrison, Senior Lecturer, Cybersecurity at James Cook University in Singapore.

Connect with Andrea Della Mattea on LinkedIn.

Ted Howland, Vice President, Group Sustainability at CapitaLand Investment joins us in this episode of JCU Conversations! Mr Howland, a Stanford-trained engineer, shares about how engineering and sustainability work together, the future of sustainability, why he’s optimistic about what’s to come and some surprising fun facts. 

This episode’s host: Rachel Ward, Member of the Advisory Board Subcommittee for Social and Health Sciences at James Cook University in Singapore.

Connect with Ted Howland on LinkedIn.  

In June this year, we welcomed our new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Singapore at James Cook University, Professor Carole-Anne Upton. Professor Upton joins us in this episode of JCU Conversations, where she shares about why her career has been full of serendipity, as well as her thoughts on education, the future of learning and more. 

This episode’s host: Akshita Bhatia, Student Leader at James Cook University in Singapore. 

Connect with Professor Carole-Anne Upton on LinkedIn.  

Meet Ms Natasha Syed, Founder and CEO of SkilledIn Green, a talent marketplace that focuses on green skills and careers in sustainability. Natasha pivoted from a conventional 9-to-5 career in banking & finance to follow her passion for entrepreneurship. Join us as she talks about her journey, her commitment to sustainability and more.

This episode’s host: Michelle Thrash, Senior Manager, Student Careers at James Cook University in Singapore.

Connect with Natasha Syed on LinkedIn. 

Change agent and business leader Grace Ho has honed an impressive portfolio over two decades with a career that spans multinational corporations, technology startups, and corporate governance with board roles. She shares insights from her diverse experiences, including business transformation, sustainability, and more.

This episode’s host: Philip Forrest AM, Board of Advisors and the Chair of the Business School Advisory Subcommittee at James Cook University in Singapore. 

Connect with Grace Ho at GoImpact Capital Partners on LinkedIn.  

Life has been an exciting adventure for Professor Andreas Lopata, Professor in Biochemistry at the Tropical Futures Institute, James Cook University in Singapore – it sometimes seems like he’s lived many lives over the past few decades! Professor’s Lopata’s education and career have quite literally taken him to unexpected places – from a Business school in Germany, to studying insects in South Africa, and specialising in food allergy research in Singapore today. Learn more about his colourful life experiences! 

This episode’s host: Associate Professor Denise Dillon, Associate Dean of Research Education and Acting Dean Research at James Cook University, Singapore.

Connect with Professor Andreas Lopata, Professor in Biochemistry at the Tropical Futures Institute, James Cook University in Singapore on LinkedIn. 

Professor Jason Pomeroy, Founding Principal of Pomeroy Studio and Pomeroy Academy, shares about his forte and passion – sustainable design and architecture, and how it influences his teaching profession, travel experiences and more.

This episode’s host: Associate Professor Caroline Wong, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at James Cook University, Singapore.

Dr Melvin Heng, Executive Director & Group CEO at Thomson Medical, shares about his career journey from medicine to corporate leadership. In this podcast, he talks about balancing business and commercial priorities with healthcare needs and ethical standards, what he loves about what he’s doing today, what he misses most about his time as a medical practitioner and more.

This episode’s host: Associate Professor Lucy Tan, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at James Cook University in Singapore.

Connect with Dr Melvin Heng on LinkedIn.

In this episode of JCU Conversations, we speak to His Excellency Allaster Cox, High Commissioner at the Australian High Commission Singapore. H.E. Cox shares interesting insights into life as an ambassador – from a typical day at work to memorable cultural experiences and what it takes to pursue a career in international diplomacy.

This episode’s host: Andrew Chew, Chief Commercial Officer of James Cook University in Singapore, and Chairman of James Cook Institute

More info: https://www.jcu.edu.sg/jcu-conversations/podcasts/jcu-conversations-24-allaster-cox/