On 30 October 2024, SHRI Academy proudly concluded its 73rd Joint Graduation In-Absentia, honouring close to 80 exceptional graduates.

Among them, we recognise the remarkable achievements of our Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Mike Gorrie HRM awards recipients, and are excited to spotlight two award winners, - Anjoe Liew and Jason Chen - who share their reflections on the impact of their educational experience at SHRI.

Anjoe's Adventure: Growing as a Strategic HR Partner

Anjoe Liew, awarded both the Gold Award and Mike Gorrie HRM Award in the Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Human Capital Management, specialising in Business Partnering, describes her journey as both intense and transformative.

“Graduating from SHRI Academy feels incredibly rewarding and somewhat surreal,” Anjoe reflects. “The programme was demanding, with a tight schedule and assignment deadlines, but the experience remained enjoyable because of the camaraderie and dedication of my teammates. I’m especially grateful for the support from both my Reporting Manager and my husband who encouraged me to stay focused on my studies alongside work.”

Anjoe’s goal of becoming a more strategic HR Business Partner aligned perfectly with SHRI’s practical learning approach. “Each class provided a safe, judgment-free space where we could share openly, learn from mistakes, and discuss real-world industry issues. Our lecturers also brought hands-on expertise and real-world examples, which made the learning practical and relevant to our careers.”

Her advice? “Come with a commitment to learn, the eagerness to apply your knowledge and an openness to connecting with peers from diverse backgrounds. Not only will you gain critical HR skills, but you’ll also expand your professional network and gain insights that will serve you well throughout your career!”

Jason’s Journey: Turning Learning to Action

Jason Chen, the Silver Award in the Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Human Capital Management, specialising in Organisational Development and Psychology, reflects on his journey in SHRI Academy.

“I’m grateful and relieved that I have graduated from SHRI Academy.  I’m also excited to apply what I’ve learnt to my workplace,” Jason shares.

“As a Learning and Development (L&D) practitioner, I’ve been committed to upskilling, taking up courses related to pedagogy, learning and curriculum development. But SHRI’s programme gave me a bigger picture of how L&D fits into the broader organisational development framework. It also helped me with designing impactful L&D strategics and interventions from an organisational perspective.”

Balancing work and studies were not easy, and Jason credits the support of his family, lecturers, and groupmates for helping him reach this milestone. “Weekend classes required family support and understanding. I’m also appreciative of the flexibility and empathy shown by my lecturers and groupmates in adapting their schedules to accommodate my learning needs – especially the ability to hold online discussions which saved us all precious time.”

Jason’s advice for future students: “Understand the learning outcomes and think about how you can apply them at work. This keeps you motivated and focused, during challenging moments.”

As we conclude the celebrations for SHRI Academy’s 73rd Joint Graduation In-Absentia ceremony, we look forward to welcoming and developing our next cohort of HR leaders. Join us in our next intake to embark on a journey of growth and discovery in HR!