Paul Chung

Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your personal/professional journey so far?

As a portfolio manager of NPSIM Asia's Infrastructure team, my main role is to evaluate potential investment opportunities and to monitor existing investments that are related to developing or acquiring infrastructures (e.g. toll roads, airports, rails, ports, power plants, etc.).

However, I never thought my job demanded to have a relationship infrastructure investments when I was a university student. It seems like life never goes the way you plan it!

Since I graduated from university, my career has been related to infrastructure investment: I did project finance for two Japanese banks focusing on power plants and natural resource projects, investing into infrastructure from the debt side, and now I'm in a pension fund, investing into infrastructure from the equity side. 

Any fun facts about yourself you would be willing to share?

I've lived outside of Korea for half of my life. I've lived in Indonesia, Singapore, US and Korea.

So, what made you decide to take on the EMFin programme at INSEAD, amongst the other programmes out there?

Thanks to NPSIM, I've had the opportunity to work in Singapore since 2022. During my stay in Singapore, I wanted to use my spare time to strengthen my financial knowledge and build up my leadership skills from a renowned graduate school, if possible.

To me, the INSEAD EMFin programme perfectly fits my appetite!  

You’ve completed module 1. Please share your thoughts on your classmates, the faculty and classroom experience?

Module 1 was quite tough to complete but the professors' great lectures and friendly guidance helped me to keep going and not to get lost during the courses. 

In general, my classmates were all smart and passionate, and I was fully satisfied with the faculty, the classroom experience and the programme itself. 

Any advice, application or admissions tips for someone thinking of joining the EMFin programme?

There are a lot of requirements to complete for the application, and applicants need to take exams (e.g. GMAT) as well. These are all tough to do while busy working but please do not give up.

Take your time and prepare and complete the application requirements one by one.

To keep trying and keep challenging yourself is better than doing nothing. If you keep trying, you could be getting closer to joining EMFin programme. 

What are your plans post-graduation?

Maybe.. get the CFA!