From Creative Marketer to Strategic Public Health Advocate: Zul’s FlexiMasters Journey

At 50, many professionals might slow down — but not Zulkifli Mohd Salleh (“Zul”). After more than two decades in marketing, advertising, and business development across Southeast Asia, Zul was ready for change. Seeking a challenge beyond creativity, he decided to step out of his comfort zone and reinvent himself through the FlexiMasters in General Management at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore.

That search for growth led Zul to the FlexiMasters in General Management. After a year of researching programmes across Singapore, he found NTU’s offering stood out for its flexible timetable—a crucial factor for a full-time professional juggling work, family, and caregiving responsibilities. “The schedule was predictable and reliable, which gave me peace of mind. I could plan my life around it,” Zul explains.

Embracing Change: Learning to Think Differently

Today, as an Environmental Public Health Operations Group, Vector Control Officer at Singapore’s National Environment Agency, Zul credits the FlexiMasters in General Management at Nanyang Business School for sparking a profound transformation in his career and mindset.

Stepping into the classroom, Zul quickly realised just how much he had to learn. “Coming from a largely creative background, I thought I knew about strategy. But the Business Strategy module by Professor Joseph Wan was a revelation,” he recalls. “It forced me to look beyond tunnel vision and consider multiple perspectives. Suddenly, I was thinking deeper, not just about numbers, but about people, processes, and outcomes.”

The impact was immediate and practical. In his role overseeing public health initiatives-such as dengue control, Zul found himself applying analytical and strategic frameworks from class to real-world problems. “My stakeholders are incredibly diverse, from young children to the elderly, from all walks of life. The programme taught me how to adapt my approach, negotiate effectively, and strategise for different audiences, all while upholding corporate governance.”

Getting the Sustainability Spark

Perhaps the most unexpected outcome for Zul in FlexiMasters journey was his newfound passion for sustainability. “I always thought sustainability was just a buzzword,” he admits. “But Professor Sabina’s class completely changed my perspective. It made me realise how my actions-both at work and in my community-can create positive or negative ripple effects.”

This awakening has set Zul on a new path. He is now pursuing further studies in environmental sustainability and plans to return to NBS for the FlexiMasters in Sustainability, with ambitions to eventually take on doctoral-level research. “The programme didn’t just open my mind; it opened doors to opportunities I’d never considered before,” he says.

Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Growth

For Zul, the FlexiMasters experience was more than academic. It was a chance to learn from peers across diverse industries, to debate, to grow, to challenge and to rediscover the joy of learning. Even though he struggled with the operations module, he credits his supportive classmates and patient professors for helping him through. “Everyone was willing to help, to explain, to slow down so I could catch up. That sense of camaraderie was invaluable.”

“If you’re considering upskilling, don’t let age or background hold you back. The FlexiMasters is a place where you can challenge yourself, find your passion, and make a real impact.”

FlexiMasters in General Management

The programme aims to equip you with the skills necessary to run modern enterprises.

The five-course sequence will focus on key aspects of business strategy, people management, operations, company governance, cultural intelligence, and business negotiation.