Dr. Aiwa Romy
Hailing from Kerala, South India, Aiwa completed her Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism from Pazhassiraja College, Calicut University, Kerala in 2014. Following graduation, she moved to Malaysia to pursue her MSc. in Tourism by research from Taylor’s University (2014-2017) , and continued there until the completion of her Doctoral studies in 2021. During her period at Taylor’s, she engaged with various teaching, research, as well as departmental activities under the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management. Thereafter, she worked as an Invited Faculty and Visiting Resource Person at State and Central Universities in India.
Since her Master’s, she established her expertise in qualitative research and elevated her interpretive skills. Aiwa’s research interests include exploring niche areas in tourism, tourists’ behaviour, perceptions, and preferences. Besides that, she is an independent researcher, speaker, and thinker who works towards inculcating ethical thoughts and qualitative behaviour in daily life.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctor of Philosophy (2017 – 2021)
Taylor’s University, Malaysia
Thesis: Women bikers in India: An ethnography on contemporary motorcycle subculture and motorcycle tourism - Master of Science (MSc.) Tourism (2014 -2017)
Taylor’s University, Malaysia - Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Travel and Tourism Management (2011-2014)
Calicut University, India
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
- British University Vietnam (BUV)
Lecturer (2024 – Current)
- Central University of Andhra Pradesh (CUAP) (India)
Invited Faculty (2021, 2023)
Voc Tourism and Travel Management - Mahatma Gandhi University (India)
Visiting Resource person (2021 – 2022)
School of Tourism Studies, MGU - Taylor’s University (Malaysia)
Tutor (2014 – 2019)
Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management
RESEARCH AREAS / FIELDS
- Qualitative Research Methodology
- Ethnography, and Sub-cultural Studies
- Niche Tourism
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
- Romy, A. & Dewan, M. (2020)
The Bikerni: An ethnographic study on women motorcyclists in modern India. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. Doi: 10.1080/14766825.2020.1849242 - Thomas, T. K., Mura, P., & Romy, A. (2018)
Tourism and the ‘dry law’ in Kerala – exploring the nexus between tourism and alcohol. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. doi:10.1080/14766825.2018.1471085
RESEARCH & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS / EXHIBITIONS
- Romy, A. (2022).
Disruptive methods in Qualitative Research – (Workshop)
2022 3rd Asian Tourism Research Conference
Christ University, Bangalore, India - Romy, A. (2021)
Thought of Young Minds – (Keynote Address)
2021 2nd Asian Tourism Research Conference
Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines (Online) - Romy, A. (2022)
Due to desire or trend? Exploring the socio–psychological motivations behind the choice of stay-cations during the pandemic – (Paper presentation)
2022 National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM)
Hyderabad, India (Online) - Romy, A. (2019)
Women Bikers in India: An Account of Current Scenario
2019 Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress (ITHC)
Vythiri Village Resort, Wayanad, India - Romy, A. (2015)
Fear of Outbound Tourists in the Event of Tragedies: A Review
2015 9th Graduate Research Colloquium
Taylor’s University, Malaysia
RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Country-level Case Researcher, India (2022-2023)
Documenting linkages between farmers and the tourism and hospitality industry in Asia and the Pacific ($4000) Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) (Mahatma Gandhi University, India) - Team Member (2015-2016)
Tourism Industry Sector Study, Mega Science Framework Study
Commissioned by the Academy of Sciences, Malaysia (Taylor’s University, Malaysia) - Administrative Assistant (2014-2015)
Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme, funded by the European Union (ESRT-EU) (Taylor’s University, Malaysia)
AWARDS & HONOURS
- Honoured as Distinguished Alumni (2020)
De Paul English Medium Higher Secondary School, Angamaly, India - Taylor’s Vice-Chancellor Award (2017)
Taylor’s University, Malaysia - Best Paper Award (2015)
Graduate Research Colloquium, Taylor’s University, Malaysia - Tutorship Scholarship (2014)
Taylor’s University, Malaysia - Central Sector Scholarship (2012)
Central Government of India
- Share
Read more 
Teaching Fellow
Nguyen Ngoc QuyNguyễn Ngọc Quý is a 3D artist, educator, and researcher based in Hanoi. He completed his undergraduate studies in Contemporary Creative Practice at Staffordshire University and later finished a Master of Research in the Arts at Arts University Bournemouth, where his work explored generative art as an approach to documenting Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage. Quý […]
Senior Lecturer - Academic Ambassador
Discipline Lead - Business (Management, Marketing)
Coming from the serene coastal town of Port Dickson, Malaysia. Dr. Ash embarked on an academic journey that culminated in remarkable achievements. She secured a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in International Marketing Management from the Robert Gordon University (RGU), UK. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Postgraduate Studies […]
Teaching Fellow
Head of Pathways
Raised and educated in the North-East of England, Michael completed a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Media from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Following graduation in 2012, he was employed for 5 years in the UK music events & hospitality industry as a Marketing & Events Manager. During this time, Michael continued to pursue his passion for […]
Senior Teaching Fellow
Hoang Bao LongBao Long is a lecturer, researcher, entrepreneur and interaction design expert specializing in game design, interaction design, user experience and psychology. He is also interested in entrepreneurship and startups, applying human-centered design to developing products to solve modern social life problems. Outside of teaching, he also is co-founder of LacBird Co. – a game company […]
Teaching Practitioner
Le Hoang Thu HuyenHuyen earned her bachelor’s degree in television journalism from the Academy of Journalism and Communication in Vietnam. Following graduation, she decided to broaden her experience from broadcast journalist at Vietnam Digital Television (VTC) to reality show production. She participated in three sessions of Vietnam’s Next Top Model and Vietnam International Fashion Week with Multimeda JSC […]
Lecturer
Dr. Chia-Liang LinBefore joining BUV, Chia-Liang Lin served as a Full Professor at the Quzhou College of Technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics under the supervision of Professor Dr. Theodore Simos (Highly Cited Researcher in Mathematics), General Department, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. He has substantial related research and teaching experience. With more than 10 […]
Teaching Fellow
James McGaughranRaised and educated in the United States, James completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado (USA) as a double major in Political Science and Environmental Studies. Subsequently, he completed a Master of Strategic Leadership and Communication from Stephens College in Missouri (USA). James then travelled, worked and volunteered in India and Nepal before […]
Senior Teaching Fellow
Discipline Lead - Business (University of London)
Born in Canada, raised and educated in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Mark completed a B.Sc. (Econ) at the University of Buckingham, England. Following graduation in 1984, he worked with an Economics Consultancy for a year before returning to Buckingham as a tutor. While completing his Master’s degree, he worked his way up to Lecturer before leaving […]
Senior Teaching Fellow
Joey LaiJoey is from Malaysia, and she has been teaching at international universities/colleges for more than 15 years. Before joining the education industry, she had worked in banking and financial services in Malaysia. Joey came to Vietnam in 2007 and has served in BUV since 2016, leading the Accounting and Finance (AF) programme. In addition, she […]
Lecturer
Dr. Daphne LauBefore joining BUV, Daphne served as a Research Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (AACSB and EQUIS accredited). She holds a Ph.D. in Accountancy from the City University of Hong Kong (AACSB and EQUIS accredited). Daphne was awarded a Hong Kong Ph.D. Fellowship by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special […]
