Rupesh Singh

CEO & Director
Education Centre of Australia (ECA)

Rupesh Singh is the founder and Group CEO of the award-winning Education Centre of Australia (ECA) that employs over 600 people globally and delivers courses in vocational as well as higher education to over 8,000+ students every year.  

Rupesh has previous commercial success in sectors including Corporate Development, Operations, Marketing and Sales, Banking and Finance, and Project Management. He has forged an enviable reputation for a deep understanding of the education market and a strong respect for his staff, which he regards as family. “Having to make my way as an international student in my early years in Australia gave me an abiding passion for being able to change lives through education as the great enabler in life. It has been gratifying to build a global business that offers education products across the full value chain, from English courses, Certificate to Masters programs, university partnerships with Victoria University, Swinburne University, University of Canberra, University of Tasmania, internships and online study.” 

Throughout his business career, Rupesh has demonstrated an astute judgement for business sustainability and growth within education, which he attributes to his intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit and loyal, hardworking team. “My greatest satisfaction is seeing our staff and students grow and do well as ECA grows. Our team are a highly driven group of advocates who have a great understanding of education market dynamics and they love providing a great experience to our students. Our biggest motivation is to give education opportunities to as many people as is practical in all the markets we operate in.” 

Background 

Prior to starting his own educational institution, Rupesh worked with Fortune 500 and multi-national corporations, including Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Essar Steel Ltd, and Global IT Australia Pty Ltd. In 2001, with a small task force, he successfully established an IT company which provided solutions to small and large enterprises, and the company eventually became a Gold Partner of Microsoft and worked with multinational IT companies. 

Since 2006, Rupesh has been running a number of educational institutions, including Asia Pacific International College (APIC). His parent company, Education Centre of Australia (ECA), has expanded into the international education market, setting up offices in India and the United Kingdom, with plans for further expansion.  

During his impressive career, Mr Rupesh Singh has met with numerous notable figures, including politicians, athletes and academics. In 2018 he met with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi to discuss higher education in India as well as various sport training opportunities and Smart City concepts. This was their second meeting since Rupesh Singh founded ECA. 

The Next Gen: DISRUPTION

Economic Disruption: We live in an era of disruption in which powerful global forces are changing how we live and work. Powerful disruptions are changing our world. The gig economy, remote work, and the sharing economy have disrupted traditional employment models. The new generation is often at the forefront of these economic changes, seeking flexibility and independence in their careers.

Technological Disruption: The new generation is witnessing rapid technological advancements and digital transformation. They are at the forefront of embracing and driving these changes, leading to disruptions in various industries. Examples include the rise of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy. Frontier technologies such as the Internet of Things, smart robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are boosting productivity growth, raising prosperity, and replacing mundane or dangerous tasks. They have the potential to do good across a wide range of domains, from healthcare to education

Cultural Disruption: Social movements and changing cultural norms are disrupting traditional societal structures. The new generation is actively involved in advocating for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, challenging the status quo and pushing for more inclusive societies. The connection between resilience, equity and inclusion is widely accepted by policymakers: evidence has shown that creating more equitable and inclusive societies is a crucial part of any economic strategy focused on resilience and recovery.

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The Next Gen: DEVELOPMENT

Skill Development: The new generation places a strong emphasis on personal growth and development. They prioritize continuous learning, self-improvement, and mental well-being. Tools like online courses, self-help apps, and social networks play a significant role in their development journey. It is important to have a conversation about how to begin closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. Half of us will need to reskill in the next five years, as the "double disruption" of the economic impacts of the pandemic and increasing automation transforming jobs takes hold.

Sustainable Development: This generation of leaders bears the responsibility of preserving and advancing the legacies of their businesses while actively championing sustainable practices across businesses, governments, local communities, and personal lifestyle changes to secure a brighter future for the planet. Sustainability, the buzzword across the world today, will have to take on a new avatar and become the soul of every organization - business or otherwise. Businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail.

Social Development: The next generation is deeply rooted in creating positive change in society by incorporating CSR, promoting digital literacy, improving access to quality education, and supporting public health initiatives. Smart living is about adapting the fruits of technology through models that are scalable, profitable and, importantly, ecologically and socially more sustainable.

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The Next Gen: DIVERSIFICATION

Geographical Diversification: The prime focus of the new-gen leaders will be on a geographic diversification strategy, either domestically or internationally, aiming to integrate its products and services as a routine in consumers’ lifestyles. This will mitigate the risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. In an interconnected world, diversity, shaped by globalization and technological advances, forms the fabric of modern society.

Business Diversification: The strategic expansion and diversification of businesses with investments in newer business avenues, will enhance the return on investment, reflecting the forward-thinking approach of the next-generation leaders' eagerness to innovate. Companies are discovering that, by supporting and promoting diverse products and services, they are gaining benefits that go beyond the optics.

Workforce Diversification: To achieve geographical and business diversification, the next generation of leaders will aim at prioritizing workforce diversity, to boost job growth and create together a multitude of ideas and perspectives, igniting innovation and creativity. In times of increasing disruption and uncertainty, companies need to continue to prioritize diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) for the benefit of their culture — and their bottom line.

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