Alumni Stories

Riyadh Alhabshan: from new challenges to legal leadership

UTS College — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Determination and collaboration opens doors

Riyadh is now general manager at solutions by stc, after climbing the ranks through senior legal and leadership roles at Siemens and Saudi Telecom Company. His journey from struggling with English in Sydney to managing major contracts in Saudi Arabia shows how determination and collaboration open doors.

Determination is paramount if you want to achieve your goals.

A challenging start in Sydney

When Riyadh Alhabshan first arrived in Sydney in 2008, he barely spoke a word of English. It was a huge challenge for the young Saudi lawyer, who had never been outside his home country except as a baby in America.

“It was shocking and a little bit scary at the beginning,” Riyadh recalls. But joining UTS College for English language and cultural classes helped him settle in. More than language skills, those early days introduced him to a diverse community and an Australian way of learning that emphasised collaboration.

From UTS College to UTS law graduate

Within a year, Riyadh was enrolled in a Master of International Law at UTS. His studies involved attending court hearings, writing reports, conducting case law research, and giving presentations.

“Everyone was super-friendly and helpful,” he says. “I met people from all over the world — different countries and backgrounds. That was an education within an education. It was really invigorating!”

Riyadh admits the workload was heavy and sometimes overwhelming. But he emphasises how important determination was to push through the tough moments.

The best lessons often come from stepping into the unknown.

Building a legal career back home

After graduating, Riyadh returned to Saudi Arabia and spent almost five years with Saudi Telecom Company and Al Rajhi Bank as a legal advisor. His experience there paved the way to a significant role at Siemens.

He joined Siemens’ legal team in 2016, first as a commercial lawyer, then legal department manager. There, he helped manage legal risks for the company’s growing operations in the Kingdom, gaining experience across diverse business areas.

Leading with solutions by stc

Since August 2020, Riyadh has held key leadership roles at solutions by stc. He started as director of contracts and legal affairs before becoming general manager in August 2022.

“I like this organisation,” he says. “It gives me a variety of work. It’s diverse and operates globally. Maybe in ten years, I’ll be somewhere else but in a more senior position.”

In October 2024, Riyadh also became a board member at Amana Tech in Jeddah, further expanding his leadership footprint in the tech sector.

Riyadh's advice to students

Riyadh’s advice to students is simple: embrace uncertainty. “Determination is paramount if you want to achieve your goals,” he says. “You just get through it in time. The best lessons often come from stepping into the unknown.”

Back to all alumni stories

Jenny Ly: from a student to mentor in science and education

UTS College — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Guiding our next generation

When Jenny Ly arrived in Australia from Vietnam, she knew she was in for a big change. A new country, a new education system, and a new language could have been daunting, but Jenny saw them as opportunities. What began as a Diploma of Science at UTS College has grown into a decade-long career as an academic coordinator, teacher, mentor, and researcher. Today, she’s using her experience to guide the next generation of students – all while completing a PhD in medical science.

A new chapter in a new country

When Jenny Ly left Vietnam to study in Australia, she knew she was stepping into a completely different education system and culture. She was the second in her family to make the move, following her sister Tiana by 18 months, but Jenny was determined to follow her passion for science and build a career that would allow her to give back.

You don’t feel surprised when you move to university because you’ve been at UTS College for one year... We share the same facilities (with UTS) for the lab and library.

From student to academic coordinator

Jenny began her studies with a Diploma of Science at UTS College, then completed a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science at UTS. Her time at the College gave her a smooth transition to university. “You don’t feel surprised when you move to university because you’ve been at UTS College for one year... We share the same facilities (with UTS) for the lab and library,” she says.

After graduating, Jenny returned to UTS College in 2015 — this time as an academic coordinator. She now teaches in the Diploma of Science program, helps students build digital literacy and academic skills in UTS Foundation Studies, and mentors others as they navigate their own education journey.

_{Jenny (left) and her sister Tiana (right) are both UTS College graduates.}

Jenny’s work isn’t confined to the classroom. She has contributed to research at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, specialising in bioinformatics and gene analysis, and at the University of Sydney, where she worked on paediatric health studies in Vietnam. Her name appears on published scientific papers, including research on pancreatic function and childhood genetic conditions.

From 2013 to 2015, Jenny also served as an international student ambassador for the City of Sydney, developing projects to support international students, promote cultural exchange, and raise awareness of the challenges they face. The program received state recognition, winning the NSW International Student Award and an accolade at the NSW Youth Work Awards.

I’m very lucky, I’ve got a lot of good things from this country and the university, and now I am able to contribute, to give back.

Balancing multiple roles

While guiding and supporting students at UTS College, Jenny is also completing her PhD in medical science. Balancing teaching, mentoring, and research is no small task, but she sees it as part of her commitment to learning and helping others succeed. “I’m very lucky, I’ve got a lot of good things from this country and the university, and now I am able to contribute, to give back,” she says.

Jenny’s advice to international students

Jenny understands the uncertainty and excitement of starting a new life in a different country. Her advice is simple: speak up about your goals and take every opportunity you can. She also encourages volunteering as a way to meet people, understand the local culture, and gain experience valued by employers. “Employers value volunteer experience as much as your previous work experience,” she says.

Back to all alumni stories

Maria Margarita Maldonado: bringing the world together

UTS College — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

From Bogotá to Sydney: the beginning of a global career

From early ambition as a teenager living in Bogotá, Colombia, Maria Margarita Maldonado built a strong foundation before moving to Sydney to pursue university studies. Her journey at UTS College and UTS led to an impressive global career in digital marketing, with roles at Microsoft, Regus, and Meta, where she continues to innovate in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.

I love waking up and knowing that I work in a company where the mission is ‘bring the world closer together

UTS College gave her the confidence to thrive

Maria first visited Australia at age 15, then returned in 2005 to study business at UTS. Aware that her English vocabulary might not be enough for academic writing, she began at UTS College. The small classes and multicultural environment gave her confidence and skills to succeed at university.

Building her career, step by step

After graduating, Maria joined Australia’s digital marketing industry, managing campaigns for brands such as Clinique, Coca-Cola, Paramount Pictures, American Express, and Commonwealth Bank. She built expertise in both B2B and consumer marketing, and held senior roles at Regus and Easy Taxi, driving growth through strategic campaigns.

I believe Facebook valued my international experience and digital marketing expertise; skills they wanted to bring to Latin America.

Leading WhatsApp marketing across Latin America

Maria joined Facebook (Meta) in 2015 as marketing manager for Colombia and Peru. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming head of marketing for the Andean region, then business marketing manager for Latin America. In 2024, she took on her current role as WhatsApp marketing manager for Latin America.

Today, she develops world-class strategies, leads cross-functional teams, partners with industry associations, and delivers award-winning campaigns that drive product adoption, innovation, and inclusion across the region.

A truly global career

Maria’s story shows how ambition, resilience, and a willingness to embrace new challenges can open doors across the world. From Bogotá to Sydney and now leading marketing for WhatsApp in Latin America, she’s proof that a strong foundation, like the one built at UTS College, can launch a truly global career.

Her work continues to bring people closer together – just as she always dreamed.

Back to all alumni stories

Kentaro Yoshida: riding the waves of art and design

UTS College — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Breaking the barriers

“Sometimes you need to break the barriers. Once you get through them, your life becomes easier and easier.”

That’s the advice Kentaro Yoshida offers future UTS College students. As a UTS College alum, Kentaro is an artist who has made his mark in the world of graphic design and illustration, bringing his own style of imagery to Australian surf culture. His work is inspired by his love of Japanese myths and comic books.

Kittie Kan: opening doors in global marketing

UTS College — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Connecting communication and career success

Kittie Kan is making her mark as a marketing manager in Hong Kong. Her journey from UTS College to global brand leadership shows how the right skills and mindset can open doors in a fast-changing industry. Whether she’s working for a global toy giant like Mattel or a world-leading provider of English language tests, Kittie’s story is a great example of how a strong foundation can lead to exciting opportunities in multiple industries.

Education at UTS College set the foundation

More than ten years ago, Kittie completed a diploma of communication at UTS College before transitioning into UTS to complete a degree in communication, majoring in public relations.

She says the course not only taught her theory and practice but also helped develop crucial communication and creative skills. “All the soft skills I learned are among the most valuable assets I now have,” Kittie says. “My degree at UTS helped open the door to the world of communication.”

Studying alongside a diverse group of students was a highlight. “We worked in groups on projects and presentations,” she explains. “This gave me a great chance to network and learn how to collaborate.”

During this time, Kittie also spent three years interning at a Chinese-language radio station in Sydney. “I was a part-time program host and marketing assistant at 2ac Chinese Radio,” she recalls. “I never dreamed I would have my voice on air!”

The world is full of excitement and opportunities. Grab the chance.

Early career experience built her skills

After graduation, Kittie joined a busy events marketing agency, gaining broad experience across the field. After a year, she moved to a more focused in-house marketing role with a global brand.

She began at Faber-Castell, the German manufacturer of colouring and writing instruments, in a junior role and worked her way up to an executive position over eight years. “I’m very grateful to the company because they really shaped my working style and gave me proper training and opportunities,” she says.

Adapting global strategies at Mattel

Kittie took on the role of senior brand manager at Mattel, a global leader in toys and family products. In this fast-moving industry, she was responsible for translating global brand strategies into local market execution in Hong Kong.

“The toy industry is facing intense competition with children’s growing focus on digital devices,” she says. “I needed to react quickly to new products and trends to meet the expectations of Hong Kong consumers.”

Her time at Mattel sharpened her skills in agility and local market insight, working with a vast portfolio of well-known brands.

You can open doors to whatever you want. There are good opportunities. Just don't be afraid to ask.

Leading brand management at Pearson

More recently, Kittie moved to Pearson, a world leader in English language testing and educational services. Based in Hong Kong, she now leads brand management for Pearson’s English language assessment products.
In this role, Kittie combines her marketing expertise with a passion for education and communication, helping connect learners with trusted assessment tools around the world.

Advice for future marketers: be courageous and connect

Her advice for career success is simple but powerful: have courage. “The world is full of excitement and opportunities. Grab the chance,” she says. “You can open doors to whatever you want. There are good opportunities. Just don't be afraid to ask.”

Back to all alumni stories

Robby Tjia’s rise in fashion

UTS College — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

From sewing struggles to global fashion stages

Robby recalls the moment he learned that Michelle Obama, on a state visit to Japan, had worn a dress he designed for Kenzo’s ready-to-wear collection.

“I was like, ‘whoa, you made it!’” he says, laughing at the memory.

It’s just one highlight in a career that has seen the Indonesian-born designer tick off milestone after milestone, from an internship at Alexander McQueen in London to award-winning collections, postgraduate study in Paris and six years designing womenswear at Kenzo.

Starting out at UTS College

Before his name appeared on Paris catwalks, Robby began his creative journey with a Diploma of Design & Architecture at UTS College. The program gave him the skills and academic pathway to continue his studies in fashion at UTS.

When he arrived in Sydney, Robby had no sewing skills at all. “I almost cried by the end of the first sewing class,” he admits.

His teacher told him to buy a sewing machine, practise at home and come to class an hour early. By the end of the year, he had scored the highest mark in the class. “It’s a good story for me to tell now, but at that time it was very stressful,” he says.

It was very intense, very busy, and I wanted to learn everything. I was really excited about going to work.

First big break in London

Robby’s first major opportunity came during a UTS Study Exchange to the University of Westminster in London, where he secured an internship with British fashion icon Alexander McQueen.

“It was very intense, very busy, and I wanted to learn everything. I was really excited about going to work,” he says.

During his time in London, he also won a Lancôme competition, taking home the “Modern Femininity Award” for designs he was still sketching on the plane just two days before the deadline.

Paris calling

After graduating from UTS, Robby moved to Paris to complete a master’s degree in fashion at Institut Français de la Mode. There, he won a competition against other Paris fashion school students with his collection, and came second in a Gucci challenge to design an environmentally friendly bag.

Following his final presentations, luxury fashion house Balenciaga offered him a job. Just 18 months later, he joined Kenzo, contributing to the brand’s creative revamp and designing womenswear for the global stage.

A new chapter at Isabel Marant

Today, Robby serves asDesign Director at Isabel Marant in Paris– a notable progression from his previous senior role at Chloé and a reflection of his evolving influence within the fashion industry.

In this position, he helps define the creative direction of the label, infusing Isabel Marant’s signature aesthetic with his own innovative vision. The role brings him ever closer to his long-term ambition of taking on a creative director-level role – or even launching his own label in the future. His journey continues to be an inspiring testament to ambition, adaptability, and creative excellence.

Back to all alumni stories

Lauren Nash: designing brands and building a creative business

UTS College — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:30:00 GMT

Creative agency founded straight out of design degree

Lauren Nash is the founder and director of Culture Fox Creative Agency. While still completing her visual communications degree at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Lauren began freelancing in her spare time. As her client base grew, so did her ambition. By the time she graduated, she had already laid the foundations for her own creative agency – one that now works with high-profile clients including Hilton Hotels, Marriott and Four Seasons, as well as a range of small and medium-sized businesses.

Culture Fox specialises in designing and developing visual identities and marketing communications across both digital and print formats.

Education journey and early challenges

Lauren didn’t get into her preferred degree straight away. Feeling disappointed, she instead enrolled at UTS College to study a Diploma of Design - a first-year university qualification that enabled her to pursue what she was passionate about. She achieved distinction average in that course and moved into the second year of UTS’s Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication.

Building business from the ground up

Launching Culture Fox meant wearing many hats: meeting clients, developing each project’s design, and managing accounts, marketing and social media. “Without that experience, I’d never be where I am today,” Lauren says. She took calculated risks and stepped outside her comfort zone – embracing every element of her business from creative to administrative.

Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and do something different to challenge yourself.

Flagship projects and client highlights

One of Culture Fox’s standout projects was the rebrand of Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross, transforming it into the Flamingo Lounge. Lauren designed floor‑to‑ceiling decals featuring palm trees and floral motifs and created a hand‑drawn logo to capture the venue’s new identity.

Words of wisdom

Her advice to aspiring design students and aspiring creatives? “Stay true to yourself—don’t get distracted by expectations around you.” She emphasises perseverance, ambition and carving out creative routines – whether through exercise, rock climbing or rugby sevens – to recharge and stay focused.

Creative leadership with a community focus

Lauren continues to lead Culture Fox as founder and creative director, steering the boutique Sydney agency to new heights. Based in Greater Sydney, she now balances strategic leadership with client-facing creative direction, overseeing brand collaborations with both high-profile clients and innovative local businesses.

Lauren also holds a board position with Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT. She’s committed to engaging with the broader community and giving back in a leadership capacity beyond her design practice. She remains actively involved in mentoring, design advocacy and sustaining the growth of her agency within Sydney’s creative scene.

Back to all alumni stories

Hoang Dao’s journey from village to global impact

UTS College — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

From Vietnam village to global win for virtual venture

Hoang Dao is the Founder and CEO of Monkey Junior, one of the most downloaded learn-to-read apps in the App Store and Google Play. In a global pitch competition, he came first out of 29 entrepreneurs shortlisted from more than 1,000 applicants in 135 countries.

A new beginning in Australia

Hoang left a small village in Vietnam with little experience of the outside world, to study in Australia 13 years ago. His spoken English was so poor, he says, he “struggled to be understood.” A five-week English language program with UTS College built his confidence before he started his software engineering degree at UTS.

A shared dream takes shape

He and his Vietnamese roommate dreamt of starting a business that would have an impact on society, and after they graduated they returned home to do just that. “We inspired each other,” says Hoang. After a few false starts, the pair identified an opportunity for a start-up. In Vietnam, text processing – a form of aggregating information from different websites wasn’t being used. So they set up BH Media. Today, it’s a provider of video, mobile and web services with millions of daily users.

The best thing about running your own company is you do what you love to do, and you do that every day.

A new direction: Monkey Junior is born

Hoang quit BH Media to set up Early Start, better known as Monkey Junior in 2014, and now employs 100 staff.

“The best thing about running your own company is you do what you love to do, and you do that every day,” he says.

His app, for children as young as one-year-old, is not about using a screen to keep children quiet, he stresses.

“Technology is a tool. It’s not there to replace the role of parents. We want them to sit with their child and interact,” he says.

Inspired by a father’s journey

Hoang’s app is based on the methodology of Glenn Doman, an American physical therapist and pioneer of children’s brain development. Hoang discovered Doman’s research when he was teaching his own daughter, Lily, to read. When he found it was really successful, he decided to turn this method into an app.

A global stage and a standout idea

In 2016, Monkey Junior won the Global Entrepreneurship Summit GIST (Global Innovation through Science and Technology) Tech-IPitch Competition in Palo Alto, California. The judges chose Hoang from a shortlist of 29 entrepreneurs globally because of the app’s potential to bring reading skills to millions of children.

In 2018, Hoang received the UTS International Alumni Award in recognition for his contribution to early language learning. Upon receiving the award, Hoang felt it was an encouraging sign he was on the right track. “We’re the leading early-education company in Vietnam,” he says. “But we want to be world leaders.”

It’s okay to fail. Many people give up because they lose the passion but you have to keep going. That kind of attitude moves you forward.

Ready for what's next

Hoang’s vision for Monkey Junior is to expand its capabilities into mathematics and create an entirely virtual school. Now based in Hanoi, he’s behind two of Vietnam’s top five most-downloaded apps, including Monkey Stories, which offers gamified English lessons to young children.

Words of wisdom for future entrepreneurs

His one piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is: “It’s okay to fail. Many people give up because they lose the passion but you have to keep going. That kind of attitude moves you forward.”

Back to all alumni stories

Asyia Syafaati: from Foundation Studies to financial leadership

UTS College — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

A devastating setback

When Asyia Syafaati recalls the 2004 tsunami which killed more than 280,000 people across South East Asia, tears well up in her eyes.

At the time, Asyia had just finished her UTS Foundation Studies program at UTS College. She was poised to start her Bachelor’s degree at UTS in Accounting and Finance. But the tsunami destroyed one of her father’s biggest clients in Aceh. He could no longer pay her fees as an international student or her living allowance.

Staying in Australia against the odds

I did not want to go home because I was already established here in Australia,” she says. “I really wanted to finish my Bachelor's Degree so what I did to stay here was get a part-time job at Cole’s (supermarket) for the next three and a half years.”

Asyia initially took a break from her studies to find a job to finance herself. She also applied for special consideration from UTS to defer her fee payment, to pay it back in instalments. At the same time she had to get a special extension on her student visa from the Australian government. She resumed her studies in 2006.

Strength through adversity

Throughout this time, her inner strength kept her going in the midst of adversity. “It taught me a lot about the meaning of life in general, to just be able to be happy in whatever circumstances that you are, whether you have money or you don’t have money. Sometimes things don’t go as planned in our life,” she says.

Just be positive.
If the opportunity comes, just take the challenge and do the best that you can, and believe that if it is what you are called to do, then of course you can succeed.

Foundation for success

UTS College helped Asyia understand how Australia’s education system works. The program also offered her practical skills about presenting and communicating. She’s used these skills throughout her career as an accountant and especially in her current role financial reporting manager for general insurance for Zurich Financial Services Australia.

“As a manager at Zurich, I have to represent my team in front of more experienced senior team members, like my bosses, the Group Financial Controller and ultimately the CFO,” she says.

Advice for international students

Her career advice to other international students is not to be intimidated by a lack of English or limited local Australian connections.

“Just don’t have that kind of mindset. Just be positive. If the opportunity comes, just take the challenge and do the best that you can, and believe that if it is what you are called to do, then of course you can succeed,” she says.

Leading with integrity

Today, Asyia is Head of Financial & Technical Accounting at Allianz Australia. In this senior leadership role, she’s responsible for overseeing complex financial reporting, regulatory compliance and technical accounting across the business. Her expertise and steady leadership help ensure the integrity of Allianz’s financial operations in a highly regulated industry.

Balancing career and family with confidence

In 2019, Asyia took a career break from May to November to focus on full-time parenting, a decision she describes with pride. After this time away, she returned to the workforce in a senior finance role at Commonwealth Bank, before progressing to her current leadership position at Allianz.

From navigating personal hardship during her student years to raising a family and leading a department at one of Australia’s largest insurers, Asyia’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through resilience, adaptability and belief in your own potential.

Back to all alumni stories

Anubhav Jain: building businesses that connect the world

UTS College — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Go-getter entrepreneur, Co-Founder of GoDoctor

Anubhav Jain – or “AJ” as friends call him – is a serial entrepreneur. He’s founded two companies and co‑founded five others. And he didn’t wait until graduation to get started.

Early start in business

While studying for an IT degree at UTS, AJ worked part‑time and by third year had saved enough to co‑found a computer retail business in Sydney’s central business district. He was only 20 at the time.

After graduating, he joined an IT firm, followed by a business process management consultancy – all while completing an MBA. At just 24, he was the youngest ever to enrol in the course.

“It’s really important to push yourself,” he says. “If you're just comfortable with what you're doing then you won't really identify your true self, or how much you can take on.”

It’s really important to push yourself,” he says.
“If you're just comfortable with what you're doing then you won't really identify your true self, or how much you can take on.

Skills that shape a career

AJ says the communication and teamwork skills he learned at UTS have helped him throughout his career. While the degree built his technical knowledge, it was the ability to collaborate and lead that really stood out.

He also credits UTS College for preparing him for university. Coming from the Indian education system, he found the transition challenging at first – but support at UTS College made the difference.

“It taught me how to paraphrase, what plagiarism means here, and what faculties expect when it comes to assignment structure,” he says.

A new venture with global impact

AJ has been back in India since 2010 and for the past two years has focused on his latest startup, GoDoctor. Launched with two co‑founders, it’s the world’s first exclusive medical collaboration platform. It aims to connect doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmaceutical companies, universities and medical journalists so they can share knowledge and drive innovation together.

Described as a customised LinkedIn and Facebook for the medical world, the platform is built by developers based in India. It already employs around 50 staff across the US, Singapore, UAE and India. Institutions currently trialling the platform include Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical School, Stanford Medical and the UK’s National Health Service.

Continuing the entrepreneurial journey

After co-founding GoDoctor in 2015, AJ remained deeply entrepreneurial. In 2011 (before GoDoctor), he had already founded Mobilous India, a mobile‑technology company that allows users to build mobile apps without writing code. That venture expanded internationally with offices in the US and Japan.

Following GoDoctor’s launch, AJ continued to deepen his involvement in multiple ventures. He holds director roles across a number of active companies, including Twc India Private Limited and Accelerator Ventures Private Limited, contributing to corporate strategy and business governance across a diverse portfolio.

Broadening his business footprint

AJ’s post-GoDoctor phase underscores his strength in spotting opportunity and scaling impact. Through Mobilous, he pioneered no-code app-building in India and helped clients globally launch mobile products. With his other ventures in SaaS, health-tech, and business advisory, he remains committed to solving industry‑level challenges with technology.

Today, he is associated with multiple companies in director and leadership roles, managing investments and operations across markets, furthering the vision he established with GoDoctor.

Advice for future entrepreneurs

AJ’s key advice to other aspiring founders? Make sure you understand why you want to take the leap.

“A lot of entrepreneurs identify micro‑level issues or gaps, and then just end up running with it, without really connecting to why they should actually take the journey,” he says.

His tip is to “dig down deep” and identify your true calling in life – then decide whether the entrepreneurial path is the right one.

Back to all alumni stories