Unique experiential learning
FAILURE to function on foreign soil is not just consigned to companies. Individuals as well, often find that thriving in a different country requires more than just everyday hard work and raw talent. The barriers to succeed on foreign shores and the nuances associated with operating in a different society is one that requires a different level of nous and savvy. This is even more profound in the heavily disruptive world that we live in today.
It is incumbent upon institutions of higher learning to constantly look for innovative solutions to prepare graduates to face a cosmopolitan and uncertain job market.
Monash University Malaysia has been at the forefront of such efforts from its inception. The Master of International Business (MIB) programme is an excellent example of a course that is geared towards preparing postgraduates to deal in unfamiliar territory.
Dr Manjit Singh Sandhu, School of Business Department of Management senior lecturer and MIB programme leader, says the study tour programme is a fine example of how Monash University Malaysia stays ahead of the curve.
“The composition of students here is very diverse. During one study tour, I had students from 12 different countries. We have students from Denmark, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mauritius, India, Pakistan and Singapore, to name a few.
“Imagine an international study programme, where the minute the students get together, they start learning, because there are cross-cultural challenges to be addressed. In a study tour, not only do students from different backgrounds mix together for two weeks, but they do it in a foreign country,” says Dr Manjit.
The study tour programme is a field trip offered as an elective to students pursuing the MIB. Participants are taken on a trip to two to three cities around the world, where they will get to witness at first hand how different organisations in different countries operate.
“We get to examine the influence of diverse cultures, politics, institutions and local practices and their impact on business decisions and managerial behaviour in a selected region,” adds Dr Manjit.
“There’s a limit to what can be accomplished in the classroom, even more so for those pursuing international business studies. We visit these companies and have sessions where leaders from different business entities give presentations on specific topics. It varies between international marketing, marketing strategies, franchise management and a whole host of other topics. This is then followed by a Q&A session where students get to satisfy their curiosity by asking questions to the presenters.”
The study tour has so far been held in Vietnam, Japan, China, South Korea and the Philippines. The 2020 session will span cities in the Czech Republic and Poland.
These activities are then followed by reflective sessions, where students share the experiences and insights they have gained.
As the programme evolves, Dr Manjit says there will also be involvement from government leaders from the countries involved in the tour. Subjects such as how a country attracts investment will be part of the discussion.
Dr Manjit, who has now handled four study tours, says students have always thoroughly enjoyed the programme. “We have consistently had the participation of anywhere between 18 and 24 students. However, to ensure quality, the number of participants for this field trip is limited to 24 students.”
■ For more information, visit www.monash. edu.my/business