8 Key Lessons for Success

At the 2023 convocation ceremony, Raja Singham, the Co-Founder and Chief Future Officer of BAC Education, delivered an inspiring speech that imparted eight powerful life lessons to the graduating class of Brickfields Asia College (BAC). His words resonated deeply, urging the audience to embrace purpose, values, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong growth. Here are the key takeaways from his address.

1. Purpose - Embrace Life as a Gift

Raja Singham began by emphasising the importance of living with purpose. He reminded the graduates that life is a precious gift and urged them not to waste it. Instead, he encouraged them to strive to be the best version of themselves every single day.

2. Values - Your Moral Compass

He highlighted the significance of grounding one’s life in strong values. Among these, he stressed the importance of:

• Professionalism: Approach work with integrity and dedication.
• Accountability: Take ownership of actions and responsibilities.
• Empathy: Cultivate the ability to see the world through others’ eyes and understand their struggles.
• Gratitude: Recognise that happiness stems from appreciating what you have rather than endlessly chasing material wealth.
• Humility: Stay grounded and remember that life is fleeting; "No matter what you have accomplished or achieved, always stay humble."

3. Relevance: Adapt or Become Obsolete

In a rapidly changing world, staying relevant is crucial. Raja Singham quoted Darwin and futurist Alvin Toffler to underscore that adaptability is key - not just for individuals but also for nations and organisations. He urged graduates to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn in order to thrive in an era of constant change.

4. Lifelong Learning

Echoing Gandhi’s wisdom, “Live as if you will die tomorrow. Learn as if you will live forever,” he encouraged the audience to nurture an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Raja Singham also emphasised the transformative power of books and meaningful relationships in shaping personal growth over time.

5. Building Competencies

He highlighted the importance of developing a diverse set of competencies and skills to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving world, including technical, digital, and business skills, along with soft skills and emotional and social intelligence. Raja also advocated for becoming a polymath, someone skilled in diverse fields. By acquiring knowledge across disciplines, individuals can become more valuable to their communities and better equipped to navigate complex challenges.

6. Personal Branding

Raja Singham reminded graduates that their personal brand is their most important asset. Every interaction, whether in person or online is their brand in action and shapes how others perceive them. He urged them to actively build and protect their brand through authenticity and consistency.

7. Giving Back

The importance of contributing to society was a central theme in his speech. Raja Singham shared how BAC's social good arms like the Make It Right Movement, GiveBACk and Uplift have played a crucial role in providing aid, especially during the pandemic.

“We worked with our partners, and in just two years, we managed to support half a million people,” he shared. This included food provisions for 200,000 individuals (daily wage earners, migrant workers, refugees, and B40 families) which ensured they had enough to last for two weeks. Raja urged everyone to leverage their resources and skills to create meaningful change in the world.

8. Balance and Work-Life Harmony

Finally, he stressed the need for balance in life. While early career stages may require sacrifices, it’s essential to carve out time for passions, family, and fun. Finding joy in one’s work can transform it into a fulfilling journey rather than a chore.

It's Time to Dream Big, Give Back, and Stay Resilient

Raja Singham ended his speech with a powerful call to action: dream big, be fearless, and never settle for mediocrity. He urged graduates to define success on their own terms, not just in wealth or titles, but in the impact they create.

Above all, he emphasised the importance of giving back. True fulfillment comes not just from personal success but from uplifting others and contributing to the greater good. The future isn’t just something to be entered - it’s something to be shaped.

With his words ringing in their ears, the graduates stepped into the next phase of their lives not just with degrees in hand, but with a mission - to be fearless, to be changemakers, and to leave the world better than they found it.