Acumen, India. Umar Razzaq recently joined Acumen as associate director, partner success, Southeast Asia. Umar previously worked at the University of Southampton, Malaysia, and is known for his expertise in Blue Ocean Strategy and his observation of trends in education, digital marketing, and training & development. With over 15 years of experience, including 13 years in leadership roles, Umar has made significant contributions to top global and regional brands. At Acumen, he oversees partner interests in Southeast Asia, ensuring excellent customer experience, value-added services, and actionable industrial insights. Umar’s career highlights include leading the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus’ recruitment and corporate alliance units, where he expanded the university’s portfolio from four to 19 programs and achieved successful recruitment at a fraction of the conventional budget. His previous role at UCSI University involved developing over 140 progression pathways for students, enhancing his understanding of transnational education.