Now, after returning home to Southland, he is drawing on that experience to help shape the future of SIT Online while giving back to the community that helped shape him.
"I always wanted to live abroad, but you never know it's going to be 25 years before you come back."
Jacob completed a PhD in International Trade at Sogang University in Seoul, before teaching and researching in South Korea for a decade. He later moved to Singapore, where he progressed into senior academic leadership roles at James Cook University Singapore.
Along the way, he worked with educators and researchers from some of Asia's most advanced tertiary education systems. "Working in Korea, you get exposed to very advanced levels of education."
Returning to New Zealand was both a professional and personal decision.
Jacob, his wife Haejin and their two children had spent eight years living in Singapore. The family was ready for a different pace of life and the opportunity to enjoy more space and time together.
One change Jacob appreciates most is the shorter commute. "Honestly, I've got my evenings back, so to speak." He contrasts his seven-minute drive to work in Invercargill with the lengthy daily travel he experienced while living in Singapore.
The family has embraced life back in Southland. "Invercargill is a good place. It's safe. People are kind. It's a lovely community and good place to raise a family."
Jacob's wife Haejin also works at SIT. An academic herself, she holds a PhD in English Linguistics and a Doctor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management.
Although he had been away for many years, Jacob remained connected to SIT, supervising research students for the institute while based in Singapore.
That connection strengthened his appreciation of SIT's role within the region.
"Even though it's been a long time, I have always known how important SIT is to the local community."
As part of the team leading SIT Online, Jacob wants to ensure learners continue to have access to high-quality, flexible education that responds to changing industry needs.
His priorities include maintaining strong student enrolments, increasing completion rates, expanding priority programme areas and ensuring qualifications prepare students for employment.
"We need to be offering qualifications that are relevant to what the needs are of industry, and we need to be offering qualifications that will leave our students job ready."
A major focus is improving the online learning experience by creating engaging, visually rich learning resources and ensuring students are well supported throughout their studies.
Jacob believes the people behind SIT Online are one of its greatest strengths.
"I really want to emphasise just how much of a great team we have here."
He refers to the collaborative culture within the team and values the diverse experiences and perspectives staff bring to their work.
Creating a positive workplace environment is also important to him. "You need a happy team, so culture is really important."
Outside work, Jacob recently joined the Active Southland board, seeing it as another way to contribute to the community.
“I love sport. Like any Kiwi, I'll get out there and watch the All Blacks and New Zealand cricket and I'm a Stags fan… I can't claim any fame around sport, but for me it's about how important sport is in Southland and if I can use any kind of experience that I have had to support the governance of it then I'm happy to do that.
For him, returning home is about more than career progression; after 25 years away, he is pleased to be back where it all began, helping support the future of the city, the institute and the students who choose to study through SIT.
“I’m really, really delighted to be part of the team. And trying to give back in some way to Invercargill."
Looking ahead, Jacob is confident about both SIT Online and the wider organisation. "I'm really optimistic about the future and I can see as an organisation we are on the right track."