Studying abroad in Singapore is a door-opening opportunity in itself. When presented with the chance to attend a professional conference (my first) in another Southeast Asian business hub, I could not resist.
The SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship sponsored a few student tickets to Wild Digital Southeast Asia 2022. This, along with the Kenan Scholars program financial funding for travel and lodging through use of the Exploratory Fund, allowed me to attend Asia’s premier technology conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event connects founders, venture capitalists, academics, and government leaders. Notably, Malaysia’s Minister of Finance, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz shared his experience leading the nation’s economy. The conference was an up-close look at emerging trends in technology. Participating in the 2-day event both broadened my knowledge base and greatly improved my confidence in professional settings.
My first takeaway is the ideas and companies I now follow and keep up with. This was the ideal exploratory opportunity for me because I was exposed to dozens of topics, from micro-insurance for the bottom 50% of earners to the future of food startups. I am also walking away with a clearer understanding of concepts from my international business class. I really enjoyed seeing the topics of FDI (foreign direct investment), drivers of internationalization, and strategic alliances in person. All the founders were from Malaysia or nearby countries, illuminating tangible differences between business in the US and abroad.
Second, I saw coordination between the government and private sectors. Each speaker had a keen sense of what the Malaysian government offers to startups, and what additional support would accelerate innovation. The close link between public funding for startups and founders themselves is something I did not expect, but a benefit of investing in Malaysia currently.
Last, I learned about a new career pathway that I may never have been taught in my classes. While I haven’t considered technology as central to my future job, I am now interested in using software to track corporate carbon emissions and consult on the financials of alternatives. Following a panel on climate tech, I was captivated by each panelists’ passion for reducing climate change through metrics of the future including AI (artificial intelligence) and carbon auditing. So, I talked to the speakers and we connected over our shared interest in sustainability planning for corporations.
I am extremely grateful to Kenan Scholars for supporting professional development experiences for students like me, who want to see the world of business abroad. This was an unforgettable international experience that illuminated my career aspirations between business and the public good.
