The inaugural Rector’s Dialogue Series with Dr. Noeleen Heyzer was held on 22^nd January 2025 at the RVRC Master’s Lounge, to foster academic discussions on practicing leadership for a sustainable world. The event was attended by students and faculty guests, all eager to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights aligned with RVRC's mission of sustainability.

Basil Tan, a Year 3 Economics student and Senior at RVRC, chaired the dialogue. Basil, who previously served as the 8^th President of the RVRC College Student Committee, emphasized the importance of the event as a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring new perspectives on sustainability. During the dialogue, Dr. Heyzer shared her insights on three pertinent topics.

• The Practice of Leadership in Shaping a Sustainable Future: Heyzer emphasized how leaders need to understand the challenges and opportunities in the context they are operating in and adopt a forward-thinking approach, integrating sustainability into their decision-making processes. She shared how she seized multiple threats to the Asia-Pacific region, including natural disasters, during the 2008 financial crisis as opportunities to rethink our development strategy to maintain the region’s dynamism.This involves not only addressing environmental concerns but also considering social and economic impacts. Dr. Heyzer highlighted the importance of setting clear, long-term goals and being adaptable to changing circumstances.
• The Critical Role the Next Generation Can Play in Addressing Global Issues: Heyzer pointed out that the next generation has the power to drive change through advocacy, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. She called on the student audience to be bold in their actions as young leaders, to seek out opportunities for impact, and to work together across borders and disciplines to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
• The Importance of Ethical Leadership and Collaborative Efforts Across Disciplines: Ethical leadership, according to Dr. Heyzer, is fundamental to achieving sustainable outcomes. Ethical leaders know how to build trust, harness the energy and talents of the community by prioritizing the well-being of people and the planet over short-term and personal gain. She also highlighted the value of collaboration, emphasizing that complex global issues require interdisciplinary solutions. She advocated for breaking down silos and fostering partnerships between governments, businesses, academia, and civil society. By working together and sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise, diverse stakeholders can co-create innovative solutions that reflect shared values and address the root causes of sustainability challenges.

In concluding the session, Basil mentioned how Dr Heyzer’s determination, spirit, resilience and "no burnout" attitude would inspire the students to be a force for good in their own ways. The college thanks Dr. Heyzer for her presence at the dialogue. Her insights were a testament to her commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering intellectual growth.