STUDY ABROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Helping Students Acquire a Global Education
OUR TEAM
Committed to Our Cause
XIAOCHEN SU, PH.D.
Founder and Managing Director
Doctor of Philosophy, the University of Tokyo (Japan)
Master of Science, London School of Economics (UK)
Bachelor of Arts, Yale University (US)
Having grown up in mainland China, Japan, and the US, Xiaochen Su spent his whole life living and studying abroad. While leading the creation of new microfinance and retail operations in rural Tanzania for the US-based nonprofit One Acre Fund, he saw face to face the need to provide better access to global education for talented local youths.
Xiaochen completed his Ph.D. in November 2021, with his dissertation on the social integration of the Chinese migrant community in the Russian Far East. He was also previously involved in international business development and market analyses for the multinational e-commerce firm Lazada Group in Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as for the internet conglomerate Rakuten in Japan.
VARNEY ARTHUR YENGBEH, JR.
Senior Advisor
Master of Arts, Tufts University (US)
Master of Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell (US)
Bachelor of Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
Yengbeh is the founding President & CEO of Afrivision International, LLC. a privately held management consulting, engineering, and technical services firm in Liberia. Yengbeh is an idealist, visionary leader, free thinker, entrepreneur, take-charge, and results-oriented professional with a dynamic multidisciplinary background. He is widely recognized as a senior development practitioner and international affairs expert with proven leadership and knowledge in diplomacy, negotiations, policy analysis, strategic planning & management, business, project management, program evaluation, technology, renewable energy (solar PV systems), policy-oriented research and development practice, effective communications and reports writing skills.
Yengbeh is Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bomi Community College, Tubmanburg, Bomi County, Liberia. He also brings extensive executive and board leadership experience, as well as is a seasoned strategic and technical advisor to governments, foreign missions, international non-governmental organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector in Africa, Europe, and the US.
JOHN EFIONG
Educational Consultant
Ph.D. Candidate, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (Nigeria)
Master of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (Nigeria)
Bachelor of Science, University of Uyo (Nigeria)
John is an Educational Consultant, Academic Administrator, Advisor, and trainer with deep knowledge in the dispensation of higher learning in Africa. He is the Executive Director/Founder of Jeediof SoftPro - a digital Startup with a focus on developing solutions for sustainable development in Agriculture, Environment, and Education in sub-Saharan Africa. He sits on the board of Governing Council of Peace Advocators' Network, a non-partisan movement driven by a passion to enshrine peace in the fabrics of chaotic African communities. John is the Initiator and Convener of the yearly Social Impact Gathering, called Ascendance, focused on influencing attitudinal change and re-orientation among the youths and young couples. He also initiated the Ondo ICT Schools' Challenge which promotes knowledge and passion in Digital Technologies among high school students.
John is also a certified applied Business Analyst, Artificial Intelligence/Data Scientist & Project Management Practitioner (In line with British Occupational Standards); an Orator, Geospatial developer, and Cybersecurity researcher with 12+years experience in IT development, and Educational Technology management with 10+years experience in leading IT teams to develop end-to-end solutions and manage innovations and digital technologies for the academia and industry.