INTI leaders Hemalatha Murugiah and Dr Jane Lim See Yin have received international recognition at the World Women Economic and Business Summit 2026 for their contributions to higher education, leadership, and student development.
The World Women Economic and Business Summit 2026 brought together voices from education, business, and public service to discuss the role of women in shaping the future economy and developing the next generation of leaders.
Hemalatha, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang, received the World Women CEO Icon Leadership Award, while Dr Jane, Chief Executive of INTI International College Subang and Vice President of Academic Support and Partnerships at INTI International University & Colleges, was honoured with the World Outstanding Women in Education Excellence Award.
The recognition brings together two different but connected approaches to education leadership. Hemalatha’s work has focused on strengthening institutions, building industry partnerships, supporting entrepreneurship, and widening opportunities for women. Dr Jane’s work has centred on students, particularly in helping them develop confidence, resilience, and the ability to recognise their own potential.
For Hemalatha, leadership is closely tied to the value created for students, educators, and institutions.
“To me, leadership has always been about creating meaningful impact,” she said. “Every initiative should contribute to long-term growth, whether through developing people, strengthening organisations or creating opportunities for future generations. When we focus on creating value, recognition becomes a by-product rather than the destination.”
Her leadership at INTI International College Penang has been shaped by the belief that universities cannot prepare students for the future by working in isolation. As artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and high-value industries continue to reshape the workplace, she believes higher education institutions must remain closely connected to the industries their graduates will enter.
Under her leadership, INTI International College Penang has strengthened collaborations with organisations including IBM Malaysia and Huawei ICT Academy. The institution has also expanded entrepreneurship through its Startup Incubator, helping students transform innovative ideas into commercially viable ventures.
The college has also worked with organisations including the Society of Women Engineers, The Asia Foundation, and the Penang Women Development Corporation to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang, receives the World Women CEO Icon Leadership Award at the World Women Economic and Business Summit 2026.
More than half of INTI Penang’s campus leadership team comprises women, reflecting Hemalatha’s belief that leadership opportunities should be shaped by capability rather than convention.
“Women bring unique strengths to leadership, particularly empathy, resilience and emotional intelligence,” she said. “But more importantly, they bring different perspectives that strengthen organisations and improve decision-making. The goal is not simply to have more women in leadership, but to ensure talented women are given equal opportunities to contribute.”
While Hemalatha’s work has focused on institutions, partnerships, and wider opportunities, Dr Jane’s work has often returned to the individual student.
For Dr Jane, who has spent nearly three decades in education, success is not measured only by qualifications, academic results, or career outcomes. She believes education should also help students understand their strengths and develop the confidence to move forward.
One student from her early teaching years remains especially meaningful to her.
The student rarely participated in class, appeared withdrawn, and showed little confidence in himself.
Instead of assuming that he lacked motivation, Dr Jane took time to understand the challenges he was facing.
Dr Jane Lim See Yin, Chief Executive of INTI International College Subang and Vice President of Academic Support and Partnerships at INTI International University & Colleges, receives the World Outstanding Women in Education Excellence Award at the World Women Economic and Business Summit 2026.
Through private conversations, she discovered that he was carrying the weight of family expectations while struggling with self-confidence. With encouragement and support, he went on to graduate, build a successful career, and today serves as a senior IT management professional at one of Malaysia’s leading financial institutions.
More than twenty years later, they still keep in touch.
“He once told me that what changed his life was not a lesson from a textbook, but the fact that someone believed in him when he had stopped believing in himself,” Dr Jane recalled.
“For me, that is the true purpose of education. It is about helping people discover possibilities they cannot yet see within themselves.”
Dr Jane said education should not be limited to preparing students for examinations, especially as industries and technologies continue to evolve.
“Our responsibility is to develop individuals who can think critically, communicate effectively and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
She believes qualities such as confidence, curiosity, communication, resilience, and adaptability remain important as graduates prepare for a changing workplace.
“My greatest achievement will never be an award,” Dr Jane said. “It will always be seeing former students become confident professionals, responsible leaders and good human beings. That is the impact every educator hopes to leave behind.”