At MUIC, we believe in the power of education that can foster the development of global citizens. Our mission of enriching lives, expanding potentials, and shaping futures speaks of our core belief that when people are given the opportunity to connect to the world around them, that experience can be enriching, empowering and transformative.
This sense of connectedness comes from being active participants in the community. Industrial and community connections provide a vital environment where students can work on and are faced with real-world problems, challenges and limitations. It provides opportunities for harnessing individual talents and power, while at the same time allowing students to work as a team towards a common goal.
In addition, working in the real world also means networking opportunities for students and a chance to develop their individual sense of ethics, professionalism and critical thinking that is so crucial for the volatile working world today.
Lastly, through collaborative education efforts such as internships and curriculum development, businesses and organisations enable MUIC to align our education programs with industry needs which is the key to fostering human capital that have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for the future workforce.
Over the years, MUIC has partnered with reputable businesses, NGOs and government organisations to deliver engaging student experiences. HSBC is a valued partner that has sponsored the co-hosting of business case competitions. On the other hand, the linkage with the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI) can be multi-faceted. Students can gain internship experience as well as participate in innovation challenges. One clear benefit of such partnerships is the development of leadership skills of MUIC students. A Case Club officer reflected that MUIC’s “Volunternship” emphasises leadership traits. “Guiding a team, making decisions, and taking responsibility transformed me into a confident leader,” she said.
Because these activities take place in real settings where people live and work, students become active participants in the process. They are immersed in volatile or unpredictable situations that are a normal part of everyday life. Students must use their critical thinking skills and learn to understand their surroundings, be good observers and listeners in situations, and work as a member of a team. Successfully doing all these result in our students’ strong sense of accomplishment.
There are, of course, mutual benefits when MUIC partners with a company, an institution, or an NGO. It is a well-recognised fact that young people in general are extremely creative. Couple this with the fact that these are young people who have been encouraged to develop in an international environment where teachers facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills in multiple disciplines, this makes for very innovative, transdisciplinary individuals. I think that people in the industry recognise that and MUIC continues to welcome a number of new industry partners every year.
In summary, partnerships with industry can bridge the gap and create the much-needed connection between academia and the real world, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits individuals, institutions, and society as a whole. These collaborations foster a dynamic environment where innovation thrives, opportunities abound, and the potential for positive impact is significant. Students are challenged to think more globally, more inclusively and more creatively in order to meet the ever-changing demands of problem-solving for the real world. Students, faculty members and the industry themselves become more enriched by the mutual contributions while students learn that they can use their skills and knowledge towards the betterment of businesses, communities and society as a whole.
