What's Happening

Fresh from term break and we've got big news to share! Find out about our students' encounter with a legendary name - Warren Buffett, how we're making waves in case competitions and more. Read on for the full details...

The Power Of Three

Imagine experiencing the pulse of life in the dynamic cities of Shanghai, Seoul and Singapore while pursuing a double degree MBA that is global in scope yet with a focus on business in Asia. The S³Asia MBA was launched on 26 February at a signing ceremony held at Korea University Business School. The programme will kick off from September 2008 with an initial intake of about 60 students from all over the world.

The S³Asia MBA is the result of the University Alliance established among three leading Asian universities - Fudan University, Korea University and National University of Singapore - on 19 May 2006. The collaborative agreement was signed by the presidents of the three universities, and was witnessed by Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

(from L-R) Prof Lu Xiongwen (Dean of School of Management, Fudan University), Prof Jang Hasung (Dean of Korea University Business School) and Prof Kulwant Singh (Interim Dean of NUS Business School)

The inaugural S³ Asia MBA will provide students with a global business education that will prepare them for senior leadership positions in major business locations in Asia and the world. It is the only programme of its kind in the world, and offers the unique advantage of being a coherent programme of study, business and cultural exposure to three dynamic economies in Asia - a unique and path-breaking venture.

The rapid growth of many Asian economies not only creates unique business opportunities but also present numerous challenges posed by significant economic, cultural, institutional and socio-political differences. As such, a new generation of business leaders with global knowledge and in-depth understanding of business in Asia is required to manage the complexities of conducting business in Asia.

Few universities in Asia have the research and teaching capabilities to offer programmes that provide the depth of theoretical and practical education that is required for Asian business managers. The S³ Asia MBA jointly offered by the three universities is thus specially customised to provide the depth of Asian business education required by managers of today.

Students enrolled in the S³ Asia MBA will have the unique opportunity to study and live in each of these three exciting Asian cities, allowing them to acquire acute business management foundations while learning unique cultural and socio-political insights. Another appeal of the S³ Asia MBA is the networking possibilities provided by not one, but three major and high-profile alumni networks from the three leading Asian Universities. Students will get direct exposure to business and public sector leaders, and conduct first-hand visits and industry visits in at least three countries.

A key strength of the S³ Asia MBA lies largely in its high-calibre professors who hail from top-notch universities from around the world. As the faculties of School of Management, Fudan University, Korea University Business School and NUS Business School are renowned for their top-tier research output, case development and extensive industry experience and superb teaching capabilities, students will benefit from the S³ Asia MBA faculty members who were specially selected for their outstanding track record in industry and consulting. The location of the Schools and the S³ Asia MBA in three of the most dynamic cities in the world is a key advantage and adds a dimension to the programme that cannot be replicated by any other MBA programme.

Leveraging on the unique strengths of Asia’s three leading business schools, the S³ Asia MBA will undoubtedly make waves in the business education industry and is poised to produce the next generation of movers and shakers for the global business community

Back To Top

CEOs Bare All

The CEOs are under a different ‘spotlight’.

Following the opening addresses by Mr Peter Tay, President of the NUS Business School Alumni Association (NUSBSA), and Assoc Prof Quek Ser Aik, Vice Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the spotlight was handed over to the moderator for the evening, Assoc Prof Tan Hwee Hoon from the SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business who kick started the discussion for the evening.

The distinguished guest speakers were Mr Jonathan Larsen, CEO of Citibank Singapore Limited and Mr Ron Sim, CEO of OSIM International Limited, both possessing a wealth of experience within the business industry. It was a memorable evening as the successful CEOs came up close and personal with the audience, sharing their memorable experiences in life and the formulae to the impressive achievements they proudly call their own today. Credit for the enjoyable dialogue went to Prof Tan as well as her witty responses and questions upped the liveliness of the discussion.

The event saw a full house of over 200 participants comprising high-profile members of the industry, alumni, current students from NUS and other universities. Success of the event was further affirmed during the vibrant Q&A segment, whereby there was a constant flow of queries from the floor.

Indeed, the 15th instalment of CEO Unplugged proved to be yet another resounding success as the audience took home with them invaluable lessons from the distinguished CEOs that evening.

Back to top

Our TalentEDGE goes global

“TalentEDGE”, a coffee-table book produced by Career Services Office won a merit award for its design and interior, under the category of Publication Design at the 37th Annual Creativity Awards. This book showcases the essence and dynamism of our business students to employers.

In its 38th year, the Annual Creativity Award is a design competition based in America but also open to design agencies around the world. Last year’s competition brought in entries from 29 different countries and 38 states of the US. The Annual Creativity Awards is judged by a panel of advertising and design professionals. Each year, the judges would choose the best designs, advertisements, websites, and commercials from all over the world to be reproduced in the 400-page Creativity Awards Annual. Awards are based strictly on the quality of the entry, such as design concept and creativity.

Back To Top

Students Storm Through To Competition Finals

Five out of the eight teams going for the National Finals of L'Oreal Brandstorm 2008 on 14 May are our BBA students! In this competition, students take up the challenge to craft a long-term international marketing strategy for one of L'Oreal's brands – VICHY Capital Soleil.

L'Oréal Brandstorm and L'Oréal e-Strat Challenge, are innovative recruitment tools developed to attract the best talent from around the world by offering students a unique first-hand professional experience with the world’s leading multinational cosmetics company. L’Oréal business games are also recognised internationally as effective pedagogical tools for students and professors in higher education. 

With their creativity, marketing acumen and presentation skills, the following teams impressed the judges to be selected as finalists:

- Aces Mayhem (Ang Zheng Yang, Yang Sue Ann, Yew Boon Leng Colin)
- Spiel (Divya Bendre (Bioengineering), Melissa Loh, Varun Varma (Mechanical Engineering))
- The Pinnacle (Jenalyn Liu, Avril Tan, Lydia Tay)
- Vestige (Wilson Ang, Koh Ze Ting, Lee Ze Fang Sarah)   
- VICHealthY (Sherry Goh, Lai Wai Kit, Cheryl Tan) 

Congratulations!

Back To Top

On Their Way To The Biggest Battle of MBA Minds

Three Asian companies aspiring to go global are harnessing the intellectual prowess of the best MBA minds from leading business schools for their expansion plans. Cerebration, a flagship event organised wholly by the MBA students of NUS Business School, is an international Masters level business plan competition that aims to help Asian companies tackle strategic issues concerning overseas expansion.

More than 450 MBA teams from 6 continents pitched their business expansion strategies to three leading companies - or case sponsors - in Singapore, namely, Brewerkz Restaurant and Microbrewery, Expressions International and Qian Hu Corporation. The enthusiastic response speaks volumes of the tremendous appeal of the event among MBA students from across the world.

The team from NUS Business School – ‘NUStalwarts’ is now among the top six teams, alongside others like University of Hong Kong, HEC and McGill University, in the semi-finals.

The contribution of Cerebration towards the growth and globalisation of Singapore companies has attracted the attention and involvement of SPRING Singapore, a government agency which actively supports the advancement of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"Cerebration provides an opportunity for MBA students to make the leap from classroom learning to a total immersion into the real-life formulation of viable business plans and cutting-edge expansion strategies for their case sponsors. It also enables our case sponsors to benefit from the market knowledge and business acumen of students who hail from diverse academic and professional backgrounds," says Ms Neha Bhuwania, one of the key student organisers. 

Look out for more updates coming your way!

Back To Top

A Wish Fulfilled Among Stars And Stripes

The trip was christened “Dream Trip America” and it definitely lived up to its expectations. The 10-day trip spanned across 4 cities in the United States of America and gave 16 MBA students and 5 BBA students from NUS Business School a chance to meet the biggest names in finance, banking and technology.

The trip kicked off in Silicon Valley where students had the chance to visit Google Inc and Apple Inc. There were also meet-up sessions with Sumir Chadha, Managing Director of venture capital firm Sequoia Capital and Scott McNealy, Chairman and Co-Founder of Sun Microsystems.

Next stop was the Big Apple – where participants visited the headquarters of Citibank and Lehman Brothers. At each of these visits, the students interacted with top level management and associates of these Fortune 500 companies and listened to their outlook on various business topics and issues. The students also visited Columbia Business School and toured the campus of Stanford University.

Capturing the moment with the legendary Warren Buffett.

However, the highlight and the most awaited part of the trip was a day long meeting with the legendary Mr Warren Buffett, recently ranked the richest man in the world by Forbes. The students spent more than two hours with him where he discussed his investment philosophy, his outlook on the current global economic scenario, his views on Asia and investment opportunities there, his philanthropic endeavours, some professional failures and some personal memorable experiences.

A rare treat for our BBA students.

Rohini, a 1st year MBA student recounts, “He reads annual reports at bedtime, now that is a passion! But what was equally striking was his humble and humorous nature. He kept us engaged in the discussion at all times and patiently answered every question. Just being in the same room as Mr Buffett is a dream come true and to actually have a face-to-face discussion and lunch with him is something that I will remember all my life.”

This trip brought the students closer together as everyone gave their best to organise this event, while the MBA Office offered valuable support. This speaks volumes of the leadership quality and resourcefulness of NUS Business School students. When asked to summarise the trip in three words, Andre Young, one of the participants aptly said,“exciting, inspiring, fulfilling!”.

Check out more photos at http://www3.bschool.nus.edu.sg/gallery/usast2008

Back To Top

Festive Cheer With An International Flavour

2 February was an unusual Saturday for NUS MBA and exchange students. Munchie Monkey Café at YIH was featured with traditional decoration and happiness in hat evening. Over 120 students from different countries and faculty representatives celebrated an early Lunar New Year over there.

Our Guest-of-Honour was Assoc Prof Susanna Leong, Vice Dean of Graduate Studies, who gave an encouraging and hopeful opening speech. Following which were sumptuous food, cultural performances and games that certainly added a joyful feel to this celebrations.

Smiles are all around for the international students at YIH.

A Lucky Draw was held at the end of the event with Prof Ravi Jain and Ms Celia Wu giving out gifts to the lucky winners. This Chinese New Year Party is just the start of many more to come so open your eyes for more updates!

Back To Top

On A Mission To Indonesia

Led by Mr Gan Giap Leong, President of NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Association, a team of 26 faculty, staff and alumni visited the Mandarin Alumni Surabaya Chapter on 29 February. Among the delegates were Assoc Prof Quek Ser Aik, Vice Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Assoc Prof Hwarng Hsingliang and Mr Aw Beng Teck, Director of NUS Business School Global Alumni Network. They were part of the ‘Study Mission To Surabaya’ – an initiative that aims to build strong alumni relations and learn about the unique business culture in Indonesia.

Despite the early flight, everyone arrived refreshed and raring to go!

First on the itinerary was a visit to the Maspion Industrial Group. Accompanied by Mr Sutrisno Alim, the team went on a comprehensive tour of this mega factory. The Maspion Industrial Group is one of Indonesia’s most respected groups of companies, with 39 companies under its wing. The tour into the group’s operations gave the participants a rare insight into the precise planning necessary for the smooth functioning of a huge organisation. A sumptuous welcome dinner featuring local Indonesian delights ended the programme for the first day. Mr Alim Markus, the Chapter’s Honorary President as well as alumni from Malaysia and Jakarta were also present for a time of get-together and catching up.

The next morning was a visit to the Singapore National Academy, established by our Indonesian alumnus, Mr Alim Markus and his family. It is a well established educational institution that has classes from nursery to pre-university, and provides an avenue for children to get in touch with the Singapore school curriculum. Assoc Prof Hwarng Hsingling also presented a seminar titled ‘Developing a Competitive Edge through Value Creation’ to more than 130 alumni and friends.

This study mission trip was indeed an eye opener for many of the alumni. It gave many of them a first-hand experience on the Indonesian business culture and the countless possibilities for would-be entrepreneurs who’re considering entering the Indonesian market.

Back To Top

NUS MBA Movie Night

Over 200 alumni with their friends and family gathered at VivoCity's Golden Village Movie Theatre on Friday, 29 February to catch 'Jumper', a blockbuster by Doug Li-man, who also directed movie hits 'Mr & Mrs Smith' and 'The Bourne Identity'. Organised jointly by NUS Business School & MBA Alumni-NUS, the enjoyable evening provided yet another platform for ex-classmates to catch up and network amidst popcorn, drinks and a movie. This special movie package was put together and offered exclusively to MBA alumni.

Check out more photos here!

Back To Top

UCLA-NUS Business School Alumni Talk cum Networking Session

UCLA-NUS Business School Alumni Talk cum Networking Session was held on 27 February at NUSS Suntec City Guild House and was jointly organised by NUS Business School and UCLA Association of Singapore. Despite being a weekday, there was a large turnout of alumni who were excited to catch up with old classmates and faculty. Guest speaker Prof George J. Abe from UCLA Anderson School of Management spoke on 'Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Disruptive Technologies'. Apart from discussing how disruptive technologies may be exploited, Prof Abe also revealed how the culture in California aided entrepreneurs to grow and succeed. Many participants felt that they've gained fresh insights in this topic, judging from the vibrant discussions that were going on even after the talk. More events are on the way so stay tuned for updates!

Back To Top