APWiL Mentoring Program 2nd Cohort
2021-2022

Mentee

Deputy Dean of Research, Faculty of Law
Universiti Malaya

​

I cherish the monthly discussions with my mentor under this program. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to connect with my mentor and learn from my peers. This has been an invaluable experience.
 

Mentor

Professor of Teaching, Department of Psychology
The University of British Columbia

Mentee

Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs
The Australian National University

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Global Health, Emergency Medicine
University of California, Davis

​

​This program created a unique opportunity to meet talented, ambitious and like-minded women leaders from around the world. I connected well with my mentor and in learning about her experience moving through her own academic career, I gained valuable insights which I will use in my own career. 
 

Mentor

Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement, Office of Research
University of California, Santa Barbara

Mentee

Teaching associate and International Postgraduate students program coordinator, SPHPM
Monash University

​

I have learned a lot from my mentor in building up my leadership skills, working on my future research that is very relevant to my current role as the director of the international postgraduate research program, upgrading my career pathways, and building up a similar initiative as this mentoring program for my international students to support them in their academic and social lives while studying at the University. I am very happy and glad to be part of this APWiL mentoring program as a mentee.

​

Mentor

Director/Professor, Academic Assessment and Development Unit (Quality Assurance Office) and Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines

Mentor

Dean, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics
Universiti Malaya

​

Mentor

Interim Vice Provost and Dean / Professor of Learning and Mind Sciences, Undergraduate Education (interim)/ School of Education (permanent)
University of California, Davis

Mentor

Professor, Industrial Engineering Department
Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Mentor

Distinguished Professor, Chemical Engineering
University of California, Davis

​

Participation in the program as a mentor was extremely fulfilling. It gave me the opportunity to mentor another faculty colleague in the same way that a number of faculty colleagues mentored me at different points along my career journey. I was able to “pay it forward” and give action to the gratitude I felt for my own mentors.

​

Mentee

Senior lecturer, Melbourne Graduate School of Education
The University of Melbourne

​

This program has led to connections that will endure past the specific APWIL mentoring program. A major highlight is developing international connections which have sparked ideas for potential collaborations. This includes organizing a seminar where we can meet in person and facilitate further connections and discussions.

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore

​

​Overall, our experience is positive due to the mix of the intimate one-to-one mentoring and a community of support network from women leaders within the APWiL cohort. APWiL programme matched mentees and mentors well based on research interests and domain knowledge. The matching allows us to relate in our area of expertise with differences to create new knowledge. As a result, with the support from mentors, mentees could develop new research ideas and apply for international grants. I am very grateful to have Professor Caroline Gurvich as my mentor. We discussed research areas with shared interests and generic issues relevant to female academics globally. Coming from different countries and institutions has provided safe space for us to share personal experiences. The knowledge domains between us are relatable yet different, creating opportunities for new ideas for international grant applications. I had access to areas of expertise locally unavailable and opportunities to build international collaborations. For instance, under Caroline's mentoring support, I have been selected for the World Heart Federation Emerging Leaders Program. Together with Caroline, I have applied for an international grant. 
 

Mentee

Senior lecturer, Master of Occupational Therapy Program Director, FMH Student Life Academic Director, Occupational Therapy
The University of Sydney

​

​Personally, I found my connection with El(eanor) Wong, my mentor from National University of Singapore, to be the most rewarding component of the program. El’s energy and action-directed approach made attending every group session as well as our individual sessions an opportunity for development. As a migrant, one of my aims for the program was to learn how to build new connections in the Asia-Pacific Region, and El motivated me to overcome personal barriers by giving me challenges to complete. For example: during group discussions I had to introduce a topic and secure interest from other attendees; or after seminars I had to reach out to attendees that shared a similar area of educational/research interest and/or who could connect me to contacts for a deliverable. One of the best outcomes of the program was that I secured an Australia-Korea Foundation Grant by making new connections and having El’s input and support as a referee.
 

Mentor

Hansen Professor in History, Deputy Associate Dean (Academic Performance), History
The University of Melbourne

​

Mentor

Executive Director, American English Institute 
University of Oregon

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology
University of Oregon

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Riverside

​

Mentee

Senior Lecturer and Director of Clinics, Law
The University of Melbourne

​

One of the key benefits of the program has been to create the space and time to really focus deliberately on my own professional development - what I want to achieve and what steps and actions I need to take to get there. My mentor has also provided  an example of a thoughtful and principled leader who has helped me to trust in my own approach and values.
 

Mentor

Professor; Associate Dean (Research), Division of Social Science & Division of Public Policy 
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

​

Mentor

NIE Director (Dean), National Institute of Education
Nanyang Technological University

​

The conversations I have with Cecilia Tsu, my mentee, are priceless. I learnt that a mentoring relationship involves giving and taking. As mentors, we give of our time and our experience. At the same time, we learn to take with gratitude and humility the perspectives and insights our mentees share. Cecilia has helped me become reflective of my role as a mentor as well as in becoming a more empathetic “senior” in my own University. As an alumnus of APWiL, I’d like to continue interacting with others and avail myself to opportunities for sharing with other woman academics.

​

Mentee

Professor in Political Science 
University of Hawai’I at Mānoa

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences 
Tohoku University

​

Mentor

Associate Professor, Head Cognition and Hormones Group, Psychiatry
Monash University

Mentee

Associate Professor, Division of Social Science
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Mentee

Mentee

Associate Professor of Agronomy 
National Taiwan University

​

My present APWiL experience has made me realize that If we want to have an impact on others, we must first not seek for impact, but seek for good in our work and our life as a whole.

Mentee

Professor of Psychology
University of California, Los Angeles

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Institute for Protein Research
Osaka University

​

My mentor, Prof. Jiue-in Yang, is a very supportive and warm personality whom I respect very much. I hope to visit Taiwan and meet with her after the pandemic. She gave me professional advice during the discussion, which gave me an excellent opportunity to think about my future career. I also learned many other things, such as the importance of education and understanding diversity. Thank you very much for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

​

Mentor

Director of Educational Technology and Faculty, Curriculum and Pedagogy
The University of British Columbia

​

​I am a mentor for the APWIL program. My mentee came from the same field as I, and throughout the year, I greatly looked forward to our regular discussions. These discussions ranged from topics such as writing research grants, working with graduate students, conducting international comparative research, academic writing, to weaving teaching and research together. Not only have I gotten to know an amazing colleague whose own work is exemplary in her own right and has informed my thinking about teaching and doing research abroad, but we have developed future plans for her to visit my international team research meeting and for me to travel to her university as a visiting scholar.
 

Mentee

Associate Professor of Political Science
Korea University

​

Mentee

Senior Lecturer in Global Studies, School of Arts and Social Sciences
Monash University

​

Mentor

Dean, College of Social Sciences
University of Hawai’i at Manoa

​

​The APWiL mentorship program gave me a wonderful opportunity to connect with an emerging leader in my field. We focused on time management, and handling supervisors in a male-dominated field.
 

Mentor

​Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer; Associate Professor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Comparative Literature; Southeast Asian Studies; Ethnic Studies 
University of California, Riverside
 

Mentor

Dean Of Undergraduate Studies and Academic Affairs, Education 
Universidad San Francisco de Quito

​

Mentor

​Chair Professor, Electronic and Computer Engineering
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
 

Mentor

Vice-president of International Affairs, Professor of English Language & Literature
Korea University

​

​The APWiL Mentoring Program has transformed not only my professional but also personal life for the better. By sharing lived experiences with my mentee, we realized that we are indeed kindred spirits and go through the same struggles but in different ways and time zones. I have a newfound respect for all the professional women out there for what they have endured and how they have persevered. APWiL provided a much needed comfort zone for all the participants which enabled us to express our frustrations freely and to boost our self-esteem and worth. Thank you!
 

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

​

Throughout the year, I am blessed to have Professor Adrienne Torda's moral support and guidance. As I am finding my way into the academic field, I have set very high standards for myself and inevitably a feeling of guilt as I felt that I was falling short on my own expectations. Adi saw right through me and walked me through the journey of balancing life, to seek help in times of need and say "no" at the right time. Adi's wisdom and encouragement have helped shaped a better me and I am very much grateful to have Adi has my APWiL mentor.

​

Mentee

Associate Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Nanyang Technological University

​

​The APWiL sessions have been insightful and provided me with complementary perspectives on approaches for my career development. I am very impressed with the dedication and commitment from my mentor who has been very open in sharing her experiences. Being in the inaugural cohort of mentees from my university, I have gained more than I had expected... Thank you to my mentor, Cass, and the APWiL team for putting the program together!
 

Mentee

Associate Professor, Division of International Studies
Korea University

​

I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in the APWiL Mentoring Program. One of my biggest concerns as an associate professor had to do with the difficulties in balancing teaching, research, and administrative work. My mentor provided me with valuable advice on just how to do that, which I believe to be very useful as I start my leadership role as the division head this Fall. 
 

Mentor

Pro Vice Chancellor International, Political Science
The University of Melbourne
 

Mentor

​Interim Vice Provost for Academic Excellence, English Department 
University of Hawai’i at Manoa
 

Mentee

Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne Graduate School of Education
The University of Melbourne

​

The program enabled me to learn a lot about myself, how to share knowledge and insights and supporting each other to feel more confident. It was a very transformative experience.

​

Mentee

Research professor / National Director of the Nanotechnology Engineer Undergraduate Program, Sciences (Chemistry and Nanotechnology)
Tecnológico de Monterrey

​

​APWIL program was a learning experience that has enriched my professional and personal life. From Victoria, my mentor, I learned that is never too late to look for a decision-making opening, and this helped me define my priorities and encouraged me to stand up for my work and the support that comes from my experience. Having the opportunity to listen to empowered and successful women is a motivation not just because all the mentors are worthy role models; but because when we hear their stories, we realize that regardless of our background, there is something we have in common: resilience in most cases, and determination to make our voices be heard and look for equal opportunities. 
 

Mentee

Associate Professor, School of Planning, Public Policy and Management 
University of Oregon

​

Mentee

Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department
University of California, Davis

​

Mentee

Senior Lecturer/ Academic Director Honours Program/ Academic Director Student Life, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health
The University of Sydney

​

Mentee

Assistant Professor of Psychology
University of the Philippines

​

​As a young female scholar in the academe, the APWIL Mentoring Program was a great way for me to meet fellow female scholars at various points in their careers. Each story shared from the formal and informal learning sessions offered valuable insight. The meetings with my mentor, Michelle Ryan, also provided a safe space to discuss the challenges of women in academia and psychology and learn from each other. It was such a rich and meaningful learning experience for me. I am graduating from the program feeling more confident in myself and in taking on more leadership roles in the future.
 

Mentee

Associate Professor of Law 
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

​

Mentor

Senior Advisor of Student Affairs 
University of California, Los Angeles
​

It has been a pleasure working with Kate Fischer-Doherty this past year, across many miles and in different time zones. We exchanged perspectives and points of view openly, honestly and with a sense of warmth. It was a gift to me as a mentor to share experiences and lessons learned over many years of work. The conversation gave me the opportunity to reflect on principles, values and strategies that worked for me and offer the hope of new ideas and approaches to a thoughtful and developing leader. Talking with Kate reaffirmed the joy and importance of mentoring and cultivating leadership, inclusion and personally enhancing work.

​

Mentee

Research Professor, Medical and Science Health School 
Tecnológico de Monterrey

​

Mentor

Vice President for Research and Innovation (interim), Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
University of Oregon

​

Mentor

Vice Principal (Strategy)
The University of Sydney

​

Mentor

Vice-President and Professor, Faculty of Law
Keio University

​

​My experience as a mentor has been both exciting and encouraging. I found out the mentor-mentee relationship is much more adaptable than I have imagined and in fact professionally stimulating and personally liberating. As we made plans and proceeded to explore collegiality, group culture, and other professional topics, I appreciated our collaborative relationship and enjoyed the learning experience. Our readings and discussions gave me inspiration that enables me to work more effectively within the university. The mentoring program has given me a chance to clearly see the challenges we face and to build positive changes for the future.
 

Mentor

Vice President/Professor, School of Medicine 
Tohoku University

Mentee

Associate Professor; Chair, Global Studies Major, Political Science 
University of California, Los Angeles

​

Mentor

Interim Vice-Provost of International Affairs, Associate Dean of Engineering, International Affairs, College of Engineering 
University of California, Riverside

​

​By being a male engineer in a male dominated field I am privileged. This fact made me self-conscious when joining APWiL: Would I be able to meaningfully assist early career female engineering professor? It turned out that every meeting was always educational for me and I hope I was able to share relevant experiences. While I re-learned the struggles of an assistant engineering professor with supervising research group, publishing and competing for grants, I got reminded that some experiences that several years into the career we take as granted are not granted at all, but rather hard learned lessons from early career days. This realization made me better supervisor and instructor: one can never forget how much time and effort went into learning certain skills and cannot expect from others to know the same with less time or effort. It was also interesting that the moments it was not clear at during the program I was going through a career change and related interviews. This enabled more discussions and made me put in practice our discussions.
 

Mentee

Director of Program Development and Review, The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

​

Mentor

Associated Director of the Health Sciences Division, Health Sciences Division 
Tecnológico de Monterrey

​

Mentor

​National Program Director, Industrial Engineering
Tecnológico de Monterrey
 

Mentor

Director and Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology, Global Institute for Women's Leadership
The Australian National University

​

Mentee

Communications Network Manager, Faculty of Arts 
The University of British Columbia

​

​As a queer, racialized woman in a middle-management staff position at the University of British Columbia, I joined this program to learn from someone who might have treaded a similar path. In Surin, I found an open and willing mentor, happy to chat with through any barriers I was coming up against, and motivate me to work towards the goals I'd set out. I've watched my confidence build, and my excitement for what lies ahead grow. Thank you, Surin for also reminding me to take care of myself and take a breath every once in a while. 
 

Mentee

Assistant Professor, Research Institute for Applied Mechanics
Kyushu University

​

The APWiL Mentoring program has been valuable for learning strategies and increasing confidence in coordinating international collaborating projects among multiple nations, group management, enhancing communication skills and preparing for leadership opportunities.

​

Mentee

Associate Professor, History of Art and Architecture
University of Oregon

​

​I had a wonderful experience. I thank both the Asia Pacific Women in Leadership Mentoring Program and my mentor, Dr. Akiyo Okuda. I greatly benefitted from the sessions with this year’s cohort as well as the one-on-one meetings with my mentor. The program's pairing of mentor-mentee and its flexibility were particularly effective because they allowed mentors and mentees to set focus areas and topics that were tailored to advancing our professional growth, leadership skills development, and career goals. I will carry this experience with me throughout my career.
 

Mentor

Department Dean of Medical Sciences
Tecnológico de Monterrey

​

​The APWiL Mentoring Program was very significant for me since it gave me the opportunity to pair with two wonderful scholars deeply interested in developing their personal and professional skills, as well as their performance in the education field. I had the chance to understand the path they wanted to follow and grow in their academic careers and revise the main aspects they could take the most advantage of in order to achieve this. They shared with me their personal plans and challenges, as well as their dreams, which I truly appreciate as a way of engaging with them in the plans for this project to become a reality. We had the opportunity to get to know each other on professional, academic, and personal levels, which was very enriching for me as I learned that we all have the same aspirations and limitations despite the differences in language, geography, institutions, etc. This gave us the strength to work together in designing the best plan for each of us to help one another in achieving this. Also, I had the opportunity to listen to my mentees' points of view and their perspectives towards current relevant topics, which engaged us in an on-going conversation towards our own growth. 
 

Mentor

Professor of Law and Ethics, Sydney Law School
The University of Sydney

​

​This Program has enabled me to connect with a wonderful and talented mentee. We have been able to reflect together and share our experiences in academia and as women navigating our careers at different stages. It has been a wonderful learning experience and very inspiring.
 

Mentee

Associate Professor, Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics 
Keio University

​

Our pair shared opinions on improving the gender ratio and obtaining and maintaining diversity in universities. Many aspects were new to me, and this helps find solutions to the current problems in my university. In addition, I learned leadership styles, tips to run meetings, and time management skills. I have been able to apply these skills very effectively to my work. The most significant impact was that I gained confidence and think positively about my career advancement. I really thank the opportunity to join this program.

Mentee

Associate Professor and Program Director, Communication Disorders and Sciences 
University of Oregon

​

The most impactful component of the APWiL Mentoring Program for me was the 1:1 mentorship. Through these regularly scheduled meetings, I was able to explore my own needs and desires as a developing leader, under the guidance of a highly experienced mentor. She helped me see not only what was important in terms of sustainability, longevity, and my overall career trajectory, but also what was realistic. It was also wonderful to be able to form a personal connection with her that I hope to continue after the program has ended!

Mentor

Chairperson and Professor, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education 
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

​

​The mentoring program has enabled us to connect with different aspiring women leaders around the globe. There have been many formal and informal networking opportunities and the webinars have contributed to professional growth and development. 
 

Mentee

Senior Lecturer, UNSW Canberra, School of Engineering and IT
UNSW Sydney

​

Mentor

​Professor of Nursing 
Korea University
 

Mentor

​Distinguished Professor; Director of Botanical Gardens; former Dean of Life Sciences Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of California, Los Angeles
 

Mentor

Associate Professor, Banking and Finance 
UNSW Sydney

Mentor

​Professor, Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
 

Mentor

​Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Graduate School of Dentistry
Osaka University
 

Mentor

Professor, Vet Med: Medicine and Epidemiology 
University of California, Davis

Mentor

Professor in Property, Architecture, Building and Planning 
The University of Melbourne

Mentor

Associate Dean Education and Innovation, Faculty of Medicine and Health 
UNSW Sydney 
 

​As well as getting to know a lovely person, I think that the APWiL program shows us that no matter where we are, our issues are often the same. Just having another person to share these with can lighten the burden and make it seem more manageable than it did previously. My mentee made me feel that sharing my experiences was of value to her.
 

Mentee

Associate Professor of History 
University of California, Davis

​

​Participating in the APWiL Mentoring Program has been a true highlight for me this past year. I was very fortunate to be matched with Prof. Christine C.M. Goh as my mentor. Despite our disciplinary differences and hailing from opposite sides of the globe, we connected on many levels and found numerous commonalities in our experiences at research universities. Prof. Goh always listened well, asked perceptive questions, and gave me insightful advice relevant to my career stage, professional decision-making, advancement, navigating academic politics, and achieving work-life balance. She is an exceptional mentor, and it has been my privilege to learn from her!
 

Mentee

Director for Strategic Partners and Innovation for Internationalization, Internationalization 
Universidad San Francisco de Quito

​

Mentee

Associate Professor, Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Universiti Malaya

​

The APWiL Mentoring Program is a good platform for female academics to share the views on the gender inequality and learn about the strategies to negotiate her ways within the society, particularly where patriarchy predominates. The excellent talks by distinguished speakers were insightful for me to learn about having the courage to create the opportunities for myself and to help other female academics realized their own potential.

Mentee

Senior Lecturer, Behavioural and Social Science, School of Health Science in the Faculty of Medicine and Health 
The University of Sydney

​

The mentoring program has had a significant influence on me personally and the way that I work. My mentor Nancy has helped me to think more clearly about what it is I want to achieve in my work life and how I can go about working toward this. She has given me confidence to use social media platforms more to promote my work and assisted me to network better.
 

Mentor

Associate Professor of Law and Vice Dean Student Life and Global Relations 
National University of Singapore
 

​It was an absolute pleasure to mentor Sanet -- her openness, energy and warmth were infectious. Our sessions focused on "getting things done", brainstorming together on how to further her aspirations. And I couldn't be more proud of her achievement during our time together -- obtaining an international grant that allows her to pursue a Korean-Australian project.
 

Mentor

Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost/Psychology 
University of Oregon

Mentor

Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology 
National Taiwan University

Mentee

Assistant Professor (tenured), Faculty of Management 
The University of British Columbia

​

Mentor

Professor/ Associate Vice-Chancellor (International), Center for Foundation Studies in Science 
Universiti Malaya
 

An eye opener to me on how important it is to have support in this difficult times.