At RMIT Vietnam, Melvin Fernando's "legacy" journey has spanned from the lecture halls to leading one of the university's most impactful teams - the Careers and Industry Relations department. But for Melvin, it's never been just about teaching or job placement.
"It's about transformation," he says. "Our work helps students connect their education with the real world, so they graduate not just with knowledge, but with clarity, confidence and purpose."
Melvin played a key role in shaping the RMIT Marketing Challenges competition, introducing real clients into the classroom. Later, he led the growth of the Careers team from just five staff to a powerhouse of 16+, transforming career fairs, internships and industry engagement at the university. Under his leadership, RMIT's career events began embedding bold themes like sustainability and AI, pushing both students and employers toward future-forward thinking.
Melvin Fernando, Senior Manager, Careers, Employment & Industry Relations, has led his team to empower students with the skills and confidence to thrive globally.
As part of his broader contribution, Melvin has also mentored RMIT student teams to compete at prestigious international competitions. Recently in June 2025, RMIT Vietnam made history as the first university from Southeast Asia to win the HSBC Asia Pacific Business Case Competition, outperforming leading institutions from Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. It was a standout moment, but not the only one. Over the years, Melvin has coached numerous teams as they brought home awards and recognition on the global stage. For him, these moments represent more than trophies. They reflect the quiet confidence of Vietnamese students rising to meet the world.
"We help students find their strengths - many don't even know what they're good at until they truly reflect." One student left a corporate job to support border children's education. Many others now lead teams, build companies, or change lives in their own way. Melvin's proudest moments come not from awards or titles, but from messages from former students, now changemakers, who still reach out to say thank you.
"This is why parents send their kids here," he says. "Yes, we teach. Yes, we support. But ultimately, we create an environment where transformation becomes possible. That's the legacy we leave."
