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 
Head, The Graduate School
Assoc. Prof. Marton RaczBorn and raised in Budapest, Hungary, Marton completed his studies in Economics and Gender Studies before earning his PhD in Management from the University of Leicester, UK. He has previously held academic positions in the UK at the universities of Leicester, Essex, and City St George’s, and most recently, he served as Rector at International […]
Lecturer
Dr. Adrian WengAdrian joined BUV Hanoi in 2020, having previously taught at RMIT Vietnam for more than 10 years. Before teaching, he worked as a Training Manager in KPMG Malaysia, an international accounting firm headquartered in the Netherlands. Adrian also worked as a stock analyst and a real estate negotiator in Kuala Lumpur before finding his calling […]
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Giovanni MerolaRaised and educated in Rome, Italy, Giovanni completed a double major Bachelor degree in Statistics and Economics from the university La Sapienza in Rome. He completed his Masters and Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Waterloo in 1994 and 1998, respectively. He was associate professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya in Spain, then […]
Associate Professor
Programme Lead - Tourism Management
Originally from Germany, Maren gained her PhD from Edinburgh Napier University in the UK in 2016 with a thesis exploring commemorative narratives of the anniversary events of the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also holds an undergraduate degree in International Hospitality Management from Stenden University in the Netherlands and an MSc in Tourism and Events from the University of […]
Lecturer - Academic Ambassador
Programme Lead - International Business Management
Raised and educated in Chennai, INDIA, Varun completed a bachelor’s degree in Defense & Strategic studies from University of Madras. Following graduation in 2003, he completed a master’s degree in Mass communication & Journalism in 2005. He started his career as a Lecturer from Chennai. Varun completed National Eligibility Test in 2012 to become certified […]
Teaching Fellow
Programme Lead - Computer Games Design & Programming and Games Art
David has lived and worked as an educator in Vietnam for over a decade and has always focused on creating a fun, inclusive and engaging environment for his students. David currently holds a Masters’s degree in Computer Science, a PGCHE and an FHEA. He has taught a variety of programming languages including C#, C++ and […]
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 […]
Dean (Higher Education)
Dr. Mark WheatonRaised and educated in Australia, Mark completed a bachelor’s degree in economics as a mature student at Adelaide University. Following graduation in 1983, Mark commenced employment as an Accountant for a subsidiary of BHP, in Sydney. Many positions followed working in government and banking until the year 2000 when he establishes a successful accounting business. […]
Senior Teaching Fellow
Scott David CooperRaised and educated in New York, New York City, Scott completed a Bachelor degree in Media Communications (Animation, Cartooning, Illustration) from the School of Visual Arts 1986. Following graduation in 1986, he moved to California for a job in animation field with Filmation that fell through. This encouraged him to explore the new world of graphic […]
Lecturer
Programme Lead - Computer Science
Software Engineering Lecturer with over 5 years of academic and industry experience. Holds a PhD in Management Sciences and Engineering from China (2025), and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Software Engineering from NUST, Pakistan (2015). Her research focuses on UX/UI design and user-centered computing. She has worked on software projects aimed at improving […]
