In July 2022, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) welcomed its ninth president, Dr. Teik Lim, the university’s first Asian-American president. Dr. Lim previously served as the interim president at the University of Texas at Arlington. He is an internationally renowned scholar who has made significant contributions to the fields of structural vibrations, acoustics, and modeling simulation technology.
Dr. Lim has received numerous awards, including being elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate an outstanding spirit of innovation. He has also been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Academic Excellence Award from his alma mater, The Ohio State University. In May, I had the privilege of interviewing President Lim. He shared his inspiring story as a Malaysian Chinese immigrant who arrived in the United States with a single suitcase and went on to achieve his dreams through hard work and perseverance.
Q：President Lim, in today’s interview, I would like to start by discussing your childhood experiences. I read in an article about you that you went through a particularly challenging period while you lived in Malaysia. Every day, you had to face bullying and racism at school, which must have hurt you deeply. My first question is, how did you manage to confront these difficult challenges, overcome adversity, and secure a scholarship to study in the United States?
A：First, let me provide some background. Both my wife, Gina, and I were born in Malaysia, and we are of Malaysian Chinese descent. My great-grandfather migrated from China to Malaysia before World War II, so my family has been in Malaysia for several generations.
Malaysia is a multicultural society. The first Western powers to arrive in Malaysia were the Portuguese in the 16th century, who ruled over the country for many years. They were later replaced by the Dutch, and then the British took over from the Dutch. Today, some Malaysians can trace their ancestry back to Portugal, the Netherlands, or Britain.
During British rule in Malaysia, they brought in a significant number of workers from South Asia, mainly from India and Sri Lanka. They also brought in some workers from China, and that’s when my family arrived in Malaysia. Of course, Malaysia itself has its indigenous population. Lastly, the Malays, who have been living there for many years, constitute the majority and are the dominant group in politics, economy, and society.
When Malaysia gained independence from Britain, the various ethnic groups in Malaysia did not completely merge into one people. Each group has its own religion and culture, which led to issues of racial inequality. The Chinese in Malaysia are a minority, just as Chinese Americans are a minority in the United States.
During my first 12 years as a Malaysian Chinese, everything was fine without any issues. However, when I started attending a boarding school, I faced a lot of racial discrimination. I was repeatedly told to go back to China, even though I didn’t come from China at all. In fact, I didn’t even know what China was like!
Q: Why do you think other children bullied you?
A: I believe the bullying I experienced was driven by a sense of insecurity. I excelled in mathematics and science, and I generally performed well at school. The bullying was probably a way for them to suppress my success.
I think this also applies to the overall situation in Malaysian society, where there is a sense of insecurity because, despite being a minority in terms of population, the Chinese community works hard and has achieved a lot of economic success.
In addition, my high school classmates were not mature enough. Overall, teenagers are not fully mature. So, when they have a position of power, they often disregard the feelings of others and fail to consider the consequences of their actions. Despite what they did, I have long forgiven them for their actions.
I must also mention that one significant factor contributing to all this racial discrimination is the institutionalized nature of racism. Many scholarships are exclusively reserved for Malays, depriving minorities of opportunities. Even today, there are still individuals facing this systemic racial discrimination. So when I experienced these challenges, I decided to find a new home where I could have a more equitable life and opportunities.
Q: Have you always wanted to come to the United States to study engineering?
A: No, that wasn’t always the case. From a young age, my dream was actually to become a pilot. I admired pilots and thought they were really cool. At that time, the only opportunity to fly planes was to join the Malaysian Air Force. However, as a Chinese Malaysian, I was prohibited from joining the Air Force. There were some tense situations in society at the time, and the government decided that the majority of military personnel were going to be Malays. This policy meant that I had no chance of entering the Air Force. So, I decided to try joining the Air Force in Singapore instead. Singapore was very different from Malaysia, as it welcomed Chinese people more openly. Unfortunately, even that hope was shattered because of my poor eyesight. Back then, to become a pilot, you had to have perfect vision, and I needed to wear glasses. This meant that the Singaporean Air Force wouldn’t accept me either.
Then, one of my teachers suggested that although I couldn’t fly planes, I could become an engineer and build airplanes. I thought it was a great idea, especially since I excelled in math and science. The problem was, there weren’t many universities in Malaysia, and most of them favored Malays rather than minorities like the Chinese. In contrast, the United States had many universities with a wide range of majors to choose from. That’s why I believe the U.S. has one of the best higher education systems in the world. And that’s why I decided to study engineering at a university in the United States.
Q: How did you come to the United States to attend college?
A: Obviously, pursuing a college degree requires a lot of money. While my family was not extremely poor, we did not have the means to financially support my studies abroad, so I had to rely on myself. Fortunately, I received a scholarship from the Michigan Technological University, which allowed me to come to this country and receive a top-notch engineering education. I eventually obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Afterwards, I decided to further my studies and pursued a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Finally, I earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Later on, at the University of Cincinnati, I had the opportunity to become a department chair and eventually serve as the dean. Then, I moved to the University of Texas at Arlington, where I served as the interim president during the early stages of the pandemic. Finally, about a year ago, in July 2022, I joined the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) as the president.
Q: You are not only the first Asian-American president of NJIT, but also the first Asian-American president among all state universities in New Jersey. It is often believed that although Asian-Americans typically excel academically, we face difficulties in attaining high-level administrative positions. So, in your opinion, what is the biggest challenge in this regard?
A: The notion of the “glass ceiling” is often brought up. However, at times, minorities may not truly experience the glass ceiling, as it can be shattered with time and commitment. I believe that many Asian-Americans face a “bamboo ceiling,” which represents a formidable barrier that is difficult to break through.
Asian-Americans encounter significant challenges in this country. When you look at Asian-Americans in the field of education, their representation as faculty members is quite substantial. There are quite a number of Asian-American professors and teachers, but few have the opportunity to assume administrative positions. Few become department heads, and even fewer become presidents.
There are certain universities recognized as R1 institutions, which are regarded as the best in research and innovation in the United States. In New Jersey, there are only three such universities: Princeton University, Rutgers University, and NJIT. Among the 146 R1 universities in the United States, there are only three or four Asian-American presidents! That is too few, considering our representation in the field of education.
The “bamboo ceiling” is a barrier caused by character. My name, Teik, which means bamboo, actually embodies my leadership philosophy. Bamboo grows straight, constantly reaching for the sky. It signifies that one should always strive to become a better self. More importantly, bamboo is incredibly resilient. If a hurricane sweeps through, bamboo bends but does not break. Once the storm passes, it stands tall again. This symbolizes the importance of resilience. These are values my parents instilled in me since my childhood: resilience and integrity.
I also believe that Asian-Americans sometimes fall short in another aspect, which I refer to as “power skills.” Power skills primarily involve communication abilities, also known as soft skills. The ability to articulate one’s ideas and interact with others is highly important.
Q: You mentioned resilience and integrity. In your opinion, what other factors have helped you overcome challenges and achieve such a significant position?
A: I believe an important factor is surrounding oneself with a supportive environment. For me, my biggest supporter has been my partner, Gina. I also have many friends and mentors who provide support, many of whom are academic leaders of East Asian descent. I learn from them and listen to their advice. Listening and empathy are both crucial.
Also, while I was growing up in Malaysia, despite encountering a lot of racism, I never wanted to become like them. If I were in a position of power, I was sure that I would never use that power to assert superiority over others. I believe humility is a quality we should always strive for. Today, whenever I have disagreements with others, I remind myself to be humble, to be more willing to collaborate and build constructive relationships rather than engage in arguments.
Q: Initiative, resilience, humility – these are typical expressions of Chinese culture. Do you consider being an Asian American to be an important part of your identity?
A: Certainly, I am a typical Asian American. But despite being Asian American, I make an effort to understand others, where they come from, and their perspectives. I collaborate well with many African Americans, Caucasians, and others because I maintain an open mindset.
Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has unique life experiences. Everyone is unique and brings different contributions to the table. That’s why diversity is so important. Diversity allows everyone to bring their best selves to the table, resulting in better outcomes.
Q: What advice do you have for young Asian Americans who aspire to hold leadership positions in education or other fields?
A: That’s a great question. My advice is to surround yourself with friends who support your growth and avoid negative influences. Seek out mentors who can guide you, and remember that mentors can come from various sources, including peers, teachers, and even family members. Listen to their wisdom and apply the lessons they provide because they have valuable life experiences to share.
Furthermore, focus on developing “power skills.” As I mentioned before, these skills include effective communication, collaboration, and empathy. Regardless of the field you choose to pursue, whether it’s medicine, engineering, or business, these skills are crucial and are essential qualities for success.
If you aspire to be a leader within an organization, understand that leadership is not about controlling others. True leadership comes from having a vision. If you have a vision and can inspire and serve others, then you are a leader. I greatly admire servant leaders who prioritize the well-being of the people. Remember, being a leader means making a positive impact on those around you.
Q: One final question, you often speak about your gratitude towards America. Could you elaborate on that?
A: This country embraced me and provided me with a top-notch education. I see the impact of the education I received on my children and grandchildren. Because of the education I received, they have had better lives. I am grateful to this country. Clearly, this country faces various challenges, including racial, political, and economic challenges. But ultimately, as someone who has experienced genuine racism overseas, I still believe that America is the best and greatest country in the world.