‘Next Together’ Alumni Stories: Jingkang Gui, General Manager of Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems at Keppel

Q: Looking back, what made you choose XJTLU and the BEng Telecommunications Engineering programme?

A: Choosing XJTLU actually came from an interesting coincidence. The daughter of one of my father’s friends was part of XJTLU’s first cohort, and after hearing her sharing about the University’s international educational philosophy, excellent academic staff, and open atmosphere, I became very drawn to it.

As for the programme itself, I was just as uncertain as many students are. I only knew I was interested in science-related subjects but had no clear direction at the time. I chose Telecommunications Engineering mainly because I believed the industry had strong future prospects.

Q: When you first arrived at XJTLU, what was different from what you had imagined?

A: First of all, the campus itself. Back when I was studying there, the University only had one main building, and we used to joke that it was a “one-building university”. Although the space was small, people felt much closer to one another, and communication was more direct.

Another difference was the teaching style. It was no longer the traditional one-way classroom model, but instead focused more on seminars, presentations, and extracurricular practice.

In addition, the fully English-speaking environment and the teachers and students from different cultural backgrounds gave me my first real understanding of what internationalisation truly meant. It also gradually taught me to look at problems from a more open-minded and critical perspective.

Q: You joined SP Group right after graduation. What do you consider to be your core strengths?

A: During my master’s studies, I focused deeply on my field and graduated top of my programme at NTU, which strengthened my academic foundation. Before the interviews, I would simulate interview scenarios and refine my communication to ensure I was fully prepared. The confidence and composure I demonstrated during the all-English interview process largely came from the four years of international education at XJTLU, which helped me adapt smoothly to professional workplace assessments.

Q: Looking at your career journey, from SP Group to Huawei and later Keppel, it appears quite smooth. Did you ever experience confusion or bottlenecks along the way?

A: After graduation, I joined SP Group and stayed there for more than seven years. The promotion pace there is relatively structured and fixed, and after some time, I could clearly feel a career ceiling approaching. So, I decided to actively challenge myself. I obtained Singapore's Professional Engineer licence and prepared for an MBA in the United States by taking the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

During that period, I was involved in renewable energy projects, where I collaborated with Huawei teams. Later, I joined Huawei Digital Power and built a business team from scratch. Afterwards, I joined Keppel, where I was responsible for business related to the development of solar and energy storage projects.

Along the way, I certainly encountered many supportive mentors and opportunities, but I also believe it was because I never stopped moving forward that I was able to seize those opportunities when they came.

Q: What advice would you give to younger students hoping to build careers overseas?

A: First, embrace AI and lifelong learning, and keep updating your skills and awareness. Second, practise long-termism and focus on steady growth. Continuous work on fundamentals is key to greater responsibilities later. Long-term accumulation matters more than short-term luck. Third, plan early if you want to work overseas. Make full use of university resources like mentors, internships, and industry projects, and actively build experience, language ability, and competitiveness.

Q: As the head of the Singapore Alumni Association, what keeps you closely connected with your alma mater?

A: XJTLU has changed the trajectory of my life, and I hope to give back in my own way by offering practical support and advice to younger students whenever possible.

The alumni network itself is also an invaluable resource for career development. Through exchanges with alumni in similar professional or industry fields, we can discover opportunities for collaboration and gain a better understanding of industry trends.

Q: During XJTLU’s 10th anniversary, you said, “I hope by the 20th anniversary, we will all have achieved what we wanted and become who we hoped to be.” Now that the 20th anniversary has arrived, how would you respond to your younger self?

A: Ten years ago, I was still in my first job and uncertain about my future direction. Today, after years of working in Singapore’s renewable energy sector, I have built strong industry connections, found a career I genuinely love, and gained the ability to help pave the way for others. I think that counts as a fairly satisfying answer to my younger self. I hope that in the future, I can continue growing upward without setting limits on myself.

Q: In your view, what has been XJTLU’s biggest change over the past 20 years?

A: From being “a one-building university” to now having multiple campuses, and from being asked “What kind of university is this?” to becoming a benchmark for Sino-foreign cooperative education, XJTLU’s most remarkable transformation over the past two decades has been its journey from being “noticed” to being truly “recognised”. It has evolved from an explorer into a leader, providing a vivid and practical example for innovation in higher education in China.

Q: Finally, could you leave a message for XJTLU on its 20th anniversary?

A: I hope XJTLU will continue to serve as a bridge connecting China and the world, linking knowledge with industry, and empowering every student to pursue their dreams and future aspirations.