How an MBA Fuels a CEO’s Growth and Passion in Singapore
Published: 2 December 2025
As a seasoned professional in Singapore, have you ever felt that you’ve reached the top of your game, only to realise your journey is far from over? You might be the head of a company, but you still have a passion to explore, a new project to launch, or a desire for deeper personal growth. The journey to the top is one thing; the path to personal fulfilment is another.
This is something that Amy Quek Swee Li, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Beauty International Pte Ltd, is familiar with. For her, pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Murdoch University was not about a promotion.
In fact, it was a journey of self-discovery and a strategic move to apply academic rigour to her entrepreneurial passion. Let's explore her key insights and see how an MBA can benefit you on the path to professional and personal growth.
MBA as a Catalyst for Personal and Professional Development
As Amy herself puts it, her reason for pursuing Postgraduate studies was “a bit different.” She was already at the top of her organisation, so the goal wasn't a better job or a different career path. Instead, she had a genuine passion for her wellness business and saw the MBA as the ideal platform to hone the necessary professional skills and foster her personal development.
This perspective stands out in a world where an MBA is often viewed as a direct route to a higher title or a larger paycheck. It shows that pursuing an MBA can be a truly personal investment, a way to sharpen your mind and cultivate a deeper understanding of your chosen field.
An MBA programme is designed to challenge your perspective. It forces you to step out of your day-to-day routine and examine your business from a holistic viewpoint — considering financial, marketing, and operational factors. This mindset is crucial for entrepreneurs and senior leaders. It's one thing to have a great idea; it's another to have the business acumen to turn it into a sustainable reality. For Amy, this was about applying new frameworks to her existing business, ensuring she was making the most informed decisions possible.
Outside the classroom, one of the most significant benefits of MBA programmes is the learning experience. Amy found that Postgraduate studies provided the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into her passions through focused research and a dedicated period for learning. This combination of focused study and practical application is a cornerstone of the MBA programme, making it a compelling choice for working adults in Singapore who want to apply their knowledge immediately.
Why an MBA is a Strategic Choice for Entrepreneurs
Building upon her personal journey, Amy's primary motivation was personal growth, yet the skills and mindset gained from her MBA naturally translate into powerful advantages for her business. For entrepreneurs and senior leaders, obtaining an MBA offers a unique toolkit for achieving success in Singapore’s competitive environment.
1. Sharpens Your Strategic Vision
An MBA is much more than a collection of business principles. It's about learning to see the bigger picture. Programmes like the Murdoch University MBA delve into units like Strategies for Growth and Excellence and Global Business in the Asian Century, which are designed to help you anticipate market shifts, identify new opportunities, and plan for long-term sustainability. For a CEO like Amy, this strategic thinking is crucial for navigating her business in a globalised economy.
2. Expands Your Professional Network
One of the key benefits of MBA programmes is the people you meet. As a programme for working professionals, an MBA journey through Kaplan (Singapore) allows you to connect with a diverse cohort of experienced individuals from various industries. This gives you an opportunity to establish a network for future collaborations, mentorship, and business insights. It’s also an environment where a project manager can learn from a marketing director, and an entrepreneur can gain a new perspective from a corporate leader.
3. Enhanced Credibility and Confidence
For entrepreneurs, a formal qualification like an MBA lends credibility to your venture, signalling to investors and partners that you have the knowledge to build a successful and sustainable business. It’s a powerful endorsement that goes beyond your passion. For Amy, it solidified her expertise and gave her the confidence to lead her business with an even greater sense of purpose and direction.
Your Pathway to an MBA with Kaplan
So, is an MBA worth it in Singapore? For working adults like you, the answer is clear if you consider that the MBA courses offered through Kaplan Higher Education Academy allow you to balance your career, personal life, and academic pursuits effectively. This is what makes Kaplan (Singapore) one of the preferred private education institutions for working adults.
The Murdoch University MBA programme, offered as either part-time or full-time, provides a comprehensive curriculum that can be completed within 12 months. For those who want to earn a Double Master's Degree, the MBA can even be combined with the Master of Science in Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) at Murdoch University. This provides an interdisciplinary skill set that is in high demand in Singapore's evolving economy.
We understand that investing in Postgraduate studies is a big decision. That’s why the MBA programme is designed to be both valuable and affordable. The total programme fee is competitively priced, and we offer various financial assistance options for eligible applicants. For instance, eligible local applicants may receive education grants1 to help offset the tuition fees, while NTUC members can apply for funding support through the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)2.
Ultimately, Amy’s story reminds us that an MBA is not just a qualification; it’s a journey of self-discovery and a powerful investment in yourself. Whether you’re planning to transform an entrepreneurial dream into a reality or take your career to the next level, our programmes can give you the knowledge, skills, and network to get you there. Contact our recruitment team to learn more.
1Terms and conditions apply.
2NTUC members are eligible for funding support under the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP). The maximum claimable is capped annually at S$250 for NTUC members below 40 years old and S$500 for NTUC members aged 40 and above. For application guidelines, please click here. For FAQs, please click here.