SINGAPORE, February 2020 – The Asia Institute of Mentoring (AIM), a non-profit organization with a mission to bring mentoring to the forefront in Asia, was officially launched today in Singapore.

The first of its kind in the region, AIM will not be a mentoring institute alone – the institute also organises bespoke mentor training sessions for corporates and other organizations, with an accredited mentor certification programme. The body already has more than a thousand members in its community since its inception in January 2019. The institute also has more than 100 registered mentors/mentees and aims to mentor more than 10,000 students, professionals and members of the community each year.

AIM was co-founded by Lawrence Young, a HR industry veteran, and Yen-Lu Chow, a former Apple Distinguished Technologist, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, mentor & advisor, social innovator, philanthropist, author and keynote speaker, with the aim of catalysing a culture of mentorship, both in the corporate sector and in the community in Singapore and in Asia; raising the quality of mentors; and bringing mentoring to all facets of the society while spreading the benefits of mentoring to impact millions of lives. 

Beyond this, AIM also aims to grow and establish the mentorship ecosystem in Singapore and the region, providing a network for both mentors and mentees to find the right resources – which could prove useful to students and professionals currently struggling to find the right mentors to aid in their personal and professional development. 

“There is a big gap in Asia when it comes to mentoring. In the West, mentoring is recognised and regularly practiced, especially in the corporate sector. More than 50 per cent of organisations in the U.S. have some form of mentoring programme in place; however, in Singapore and Asia, research shows than less than 10 per cent of organisations have a formal mentoring programme,” said Yen-Lu Chow, co-founder and director of the Asia Institute of Mentoring. “There is immense potential for the sharing and exchange of human capital and wisdom, especially in these parts of the world, and the AIM will help to bridge this gap with its network of mentors.”

Since its soft launch in January 2019, the institute has already:

• Launched a brand new website with an e-commerce powered CRM engine to run the organization in an effective and efficient way;

• Created a set of specialised product and services offerings, including proprietary mentor training and certification programs, as well as memberships offerings such as discounted rates for AIM activities and trainings;

• Initiated active discussions with partners across diverse sectors such as technology, sports, social services and entrepreneurship, working with people across all walks of life, including youths, professionals, leadership and management;

• Organised and facilitated several mentor training programs, events, workshops and learning circles to raise the profile of mentoring and expand the mentoring ecosystem.

AIM has already secured partnerships with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Outward Bound Singapore (OBS), helping these organisations with tailored in-house mentor training programmes. The institute is also in ongoing discussions with government bodies in the sports and philanthropy sectors, along with many others in the private sector who have expressed an interest to bring mentoring into their organisations.

“Mentoring is a fast-growing pillar in the realm of personal and professional development - and rightly so. The volatile and challenging world we live in requires experience and wisdom at every stage. Those who are well mentored today will become the great mentors of tomorrow. Within 25 years, every manager will either have or be a mentor,” said John Bittleston of Terrific Mentors International and Honorary Member of the Asia Institute of Mentoring. “AIM is leading the way in driving a framework for mentorship, and at the same time, encouraging and fostering good mentoring in Singapore and Asia, and I am very honoured to be a part of this movement.”

AIM recently completed its first successful Certified Professional Mentor (CPM) training programme for a group of participants across diverse age, experiences, and industries. They are now on their mentoring practicum leading to professional certification. This group all share a common desire and purpose: to contribute to other’s growth and success through mentoring, continuing development in themselves and a willingness to pay it forward as mentors as part of their legacy.