The Expert Interview Series
Dr. Jasmine Begum, Regional Director of Legal, Corporate & Government Affairs for ASEAN (Microsoft)
Welcome to the 2nd part of our Expert Interview Series! This time, we interviewed Dr. Jasmine Begum, Regional Director of Legal, Corporate & Government Affairs for ASEAN and New Markets at Microsoft. She is also part of the Board of Governors for our very own UNIMY.
Dr. Jasmine Begum has had an incredible journey within the tech industry. With a double degree in law from the International Islamic University in Kuala Lumpur, a postgraduate qualification in Law and Communications from the UK, and a PhD in Business and Human rights, Dr. Jasmine's career spans over 20 years, including roles at Dell Malaysia, the United Nations and as a corporate litigator.
Her current role at Microsoft, which she has held since 2010, involves overseeing corporate affairs, government relations, policy engagement, and philanthropic initiatives across the ASEAN region.
Dr. Begum's passion for technology and policy began during her time with the United Nations, where she became fascinated with developmental policies. Upon returning to Malaysia, she sought opportunities to influence and shape regulations, leading her to positions at Dell and ultimately Microsoft.
When asked about what technology she is most excited about within the decade, Dr. Jasmine couldn't help but share her particular excitement for the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), though she acknowledges the need for regulations that both enable innovation and protect society from unintended consequences, such as unconscious bias. She views AI as a pivotal moment in human history, with the potential to reshape daily life in profound ways.
Her Day as an Industry Powerhouse and Views for the Future
A typical workday for Dr. Jasmine is demanding, often beginning as early as 7:30am and stretching late into the night. Her responsibilities include public speaking engagements on topics like cybersecurity and privacy, stakeholder engagement with governments and international organisations, and managing a team across Asia.
When asked how she keeps up-to-date with all the latest technologies, Dr. Jasmine emphasised the importance of her continuous learning, describing herself as a "serial learner" who is committed to staying updated on the latest technologies and sharing this knowledge with her stakeholders.
The Future with UNIMY Students
With her being such a prominent member within Microsoft and a Governor with UNIMY, we had to ask if it was possible for our UNIMY students to participate in internships, and / or research projects at Microsoft one day.
"Absolutely!" was her answer. Dr. Jasmine highlighted Microsoft’s structured internship programme, Aspire, which offers valuable opportunities for hands-on experience. An experience where she particularly expressed her willingness to guide and support students in their projects, both through Microsoft and in her personal capacity.
Edited by Joash Pandita
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