《International Program_SA Event》Social Snowball Event: Getting together for a fun and delightful afternoon

On the 15th of September 2023, the Student Association of the International Programs hosted their very first event to kick off the start of a new semester in a rather unique fashion. The event, aptly named “Social Snowball,” was hosted in a renowned shaved ice store in Kaohsiung. Its primary aim is to foster connections and offer a cultural immersion for students of the International Business Master of Business Administration (IBMBA) and Global Human Resource Management (GHRM) programs, with a special emphasis on international students.

It was a delightful afternoon of socializing and indulgence, where the new and old students of both programs came together for an unforgettable experience. Of course, the famous Taiwanese shaved ice bowl, or Tshuah-ping, was the highlight of the event. The students were introduced to 20 different ingredients in a buffet-style setup, including fresh fruits, beans, syrups, and various other toppings, allowing them to customize their shaved ice bowl according to their taste buds. It’s safe to say that there was something for everyone to savor and enjoy.

Taiwanese students, with their local knowledge, acted as guides, helping their international peers on perfecting their shaved ice creations. They generously shared knowledge on ingredient combinations, ensuring every bowl was a tasty blend of flavors.

To further ramp up the fun and social spirit of the event, several games were organized, providing an opportunity for students to interact and bond in a relaxed setting. The games not only added an element of excitement but also helped students learn more about each other's backgrounds and interests. Laughter and friendly competition filled the air as students engaged in team-building activities, sparking instant connections and friendships.

Shaved ice, a dessert favorite globally, transforms a block of ice into a delicate treat with an assortment of toppings and syrups. Taiwanese shaved ice stands out for its flavor diversity and innovative pairings. The "Social Snowball" event not only provided an opportunity for students to try a famous local dessert but also served as a platform for building lasting connections.

By the close of the event, "Social Snowball" had achieved its objective of bringing students together and creating a memorable experience. The event highlighted the IBMBA and GHRM programs' commitment to inclusion and active engagement. The university clearly values opportunities that expand students' horizons in both learning and socializing.

The event's success was evident in the cheerful atmosphere. Students left with fond memories and new friends. "Social Snowball" showed the power of food and shared experiences in bringing people together.

(photographer: Morgan Yang)

Charting New Beginnings: The 2023 NSYSU GHRM IBMBA Orientation

In a remarkable departure from tradition, the annual International Program orientation for GHRM MBA and IBMBA students (#GHRMMBA and #IBMBA) unfolded on September 6, 2023, at the prestigious Lasertek International Conference Hall. This esteemed venue, usually reserved for major international conferences, provided a fitting backdrop for an unforgettable day.

The event commenced with registration and a networking session for the incoming IBMBA and GHRM MBA students, fostering interactions and connections right from the start. This time, the International Program Office curated an exquisite afternoon tea experience, allowing newcomers to savor delightful refreshments while forging valuable connections with their peers.

Following this enjoyable interlude, the event officially kicked off with a warm welcome from our host, Kang, a distinguished IBMBA alumnus. Kang firstly started with program introduction. Subsequently, Chieh Lee, the Director of International Programs, addressed the newly-enrolled students, providing valuable insights into the university's offerings and encouraging students to fully immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture. Our host then offered a brief overview of key information related to the IBMBA and GHRM programs, along with practical tips to enhance the academic experience at NSYSU.

However, what unfolded next was far from the typical orientation fare. Ryan Fernandez, an esteemed GHRM MBA alumnus, took the stage to orchestrate a series of team-building exercises that transcended mere fun and games. With a keen focus on life lessons, Ryan underscored the importance of fostering positive relationships with professors, staff, and fellow students. He delved into the invaluable virtues of effective communication, leadership, active listening, mutual support, trust, adaptability, and a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

The event continued with lively group photo sessions, further strengthening the sense of camaraderie among the incoming students. Rest assured, dear newcomers, that the International Program Office remains steadfastly committed to providing you with all the support and resources necessary for your success in your chosen fields. Your journey at NSYSU is poised to be an exceptional one, marked by academic growth, personal development, and lasting connections. Welcome to a new chapter in your academic adventure!

《111-2 GHRM591》Balancing Quality and Innovation: How Technological Advancements Have Shaped the Semiconductor Industry Over the Years

On May 8th 2023, the IBMBA & GHRM International Program in the College of Management at National Sun Yat-Sen University – had a unique opportunity to have as a Guest Speaker Mr. Antonie Tils, a Senior Procurement Manager at the Dutch Multinational Corporation ASML (Advanced Semiconductor Materials Litography). With over 25 years of experience in the world leading semiconductor equipment supplier industry, Mr. Tils was invited to share his knowledge with students enrolled in the courses: ‘Production and Operation Management’ and ‘Sustainability of Global Enterprise’ lectured by Prof. Ryan Brading. This event is part of the school's ongoing efforts in providing students with real-world insights and inspire them to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry.

Mr. Tils expertise is in the field of procurement and Supply Chain Management. Having worked at ASML, a leading technology company specializing in lithography systems for the semiconductor industry, Mr. Tils has successfully managed procurement operations, ensuring the timely and cost-effective acquisition of critical components for semiconductor manufacturing.

During the lecture, Mr. Tils discussed the technological advancements and innovations that have shaped the semiconductor industry over the years. Mr. Tils highlighted the significance of Supply Chain Management in the semiconductor industry by stressing that if “One thing goes wrong, you cannot get the chips needed for your phone”. He also emphasized the rapid pace of development, emerging trends, and the impact of cutting-edge technologies in semiconductor manufacturing. Undoubtedly, Mr. Tils’ valuable knowledge inspired students to explore the possibilities and potential of this industry in their future careers.

Furthermore, in the interactive session, Mr. Tils brought some practical exercises to the class – to let students get a glimpse of the challenges sourcing strategy faces daily. During this session, Mr. Tils not only discussed the continuous pressure this business needs to overcome. He also shared his experiences, challenges, and achievements in the semiconductor industry. This provided valuable insights into the procurement process and its importance in ensuring the smooth operation of high-tech companies like ASML. Mr. Tils stated that “ Quality is the first priority when it comes to high technology procurement.

This is followed by logistics because late delivery could enormously seriously delay or halt production”. With these exercises, students had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the role of procurement team, the complexities of Supply Chain Management, and the significance of strategic decision-making in a competitive industry.

Overall, it was an honor to invite and welcome Mr. Antonie Tils in our classroom, and learn from his valuable experience in the semiconductor industry. He didn’t only share his knowledge about the semiconductor production, he also illustrated the origins of ASML during the last three decades, and brought real cases to discuss with us. After the guest lecture, it was very encouraging to see students introducing themselves and asking Mr. Tils about current career opportunities at ASML.

《111-2 GHRM608》 The relationship between human resources and the company's goals alignment

On week 13, Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA) instructed by Professor Shyh-Jer Chen and Professor Heidi Chang welcomed Rodney Huang and Marilyn Hsu from Swire Coca-Cola Taiwan. Swire Coca Cola Taiwan manufactures and distributes The Coca Cola Company's goods, offering over 30 distinct beverage options across 14 different brands, including sparkling drinks, water, tea, juice, and sports drinks. Mr. Huang is currently the Human Resource Director at Swire Coca-Cola Taiwan. Before joining his current organization, he has gained extensive HR experience at Nike, L’Oreal, Diageo and Unilever. He received his Master's degree in Human Resource Management from National Sun Yat-sen University and Master of Science form University of Exeter.

Mr. Huang started their lecture with a short introduction to his academic and career background. Then he gave an overview of the company, and explained that as a HR Director, it is important that the aspiration has to align with the company’s goals. It would help with retaining top talents, enhancing employee engagement, which would facilitate the growth and success of both individuals and the company as a whole. Mr. Huang also highlighted the talent war in Taiwan. For the first time since records began, Taiwan reported negative population growth in 2020. Taiwan is projected to become a super-aged society by 2025, with 20% of the population aged 65 or older. As a result, the Taiwan job market has been facing a shortage of candidates since 2020, resulting in a record high number of vacancies. This trend has continued to persist, making it difficult for employers to find suitable candidates for their open positions.

In addition, he also presented the six competencies that serve as the cornerstone for success at Swire Coca-Cola Taiwan. Business Acumen emphasizes understanding market dynamics, financial acumen, and strategic thinking. Leading & Managing Changes focuses on effectively leading and navigating through organizational transformations. Driving for Excellence emphasizes setting high standards, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional results. Customer Focus highlights understanding and meeting customer needs for superior experiences. Collaborating with Others emphasizes teamwork, communication, and building strong relationships. Leading & Developing Self/Others focuses on personal growth, leadership development, and nurturing the growth of others within the organization.

Besides, Mr. Huang brought the real-life case studies to class for the critical thinking practices. Each group was asked to serve roles as HRBP and made a decision between two candidates with different academic background and work experience to offer a certain position. Another case study related to hiring a Marketing Director, which is identified as a critical position to the company. They were given two options to fill the vacancy from hiring externally or internally. Both case studies aim to emphasize that there is no definitive right or wrong answer for each decision. However, the key point is: "How will you address the risk?" when making a decision. Generating unique solutions before finalizing the outcome can be beneficial for the company as it enables them to make informed choices and reduce costs, ultimately improving long-term performance.

In conclusion, the guest lecture by Rodney Huang provided valuable insights into the importance of aligning aspirations with company goals and the six core competencies for success in their organization. The lecture shed light on the challenges posed by the talent war in Taiwan due to negative population growth and an aging society. The real-life case studies given throughout the presentation prompted critical thinking and emphasized the need of considering risks while making decisions. The class found the lecture beneficial and loved how interactive the course was. The class deeply appreciated Mr. Huang and Ms. Hsu’s effort came all the way to Kaohsiung and participants overall gave positive feedback after the course.

《111-2 GHRM608》 HR Life Cycle and What Does an HRBP Do?

On week 11, the Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), instructed by Professor Shyh-Jer Chen and Professor Heidi Chang, welcomed Jerry Tsai from STMicroelectronics Taiwan and Jerry Huang from Texas Instruments Taiwan. STMicroelectronics, with its headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland, is the largest European semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company. Similarly, Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, tests, and sells analog and embedded processing chips, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Tsai is currently the Market HR Partner at STMicroelectronics Taiwan. He has approximately 7 years of HR experience in various organizations, such as Google Taiwan, Medtronic, and Texas Instruments. His expertise includes talent acquisition, development, and engagement; handling employee communication; and partnering with leadership teams to provide people solutions. Mr. Huang, the other guest speaker, is currently the Talent Management Manager at Texas Instruments Taiwan, with his role covering HR management in Korea, Taiwan, and South Asia. He has been working with Texas Instruments for over 8 years, starting as a recruiter and moving up to the current manager position. Over their careers, they have both gained considerable experience in a variety of enterprises. Furthermore, they are both notable alumni of the Institute of Human Resource Management at National Sun Yat-sen University.

Mr. Tsai and Mr. Huang started their lecture with a short introduction to their academic and career backgrounds. Then they gave an overview of the HR life cycle and what an HR business partner does in a work setting. They emphasized that in building one's capability at the workplace, the most effective time allocation of on-the-job training, informal learning, and formal learning is the "70-20-10 learning concept". This means that the majority of skills should be learned on-site by doing the actual job and learning by doing all the tasks (70%). Apart from growing as individuals, Mr. Huang and Mr. Tsai also shared the essence of focusing on common skills, such as how to treat a team (Know it, Grow it, Inspire it, Involve it, and Reward it) or succession planning.

They also highlighted the difference between an HR Generalist and an HR business partner. HR and HRBP have overlapping roles in terms of employee care and leadership. However, the biggest difference between the two is how they divide responsibilities and assist unit supervisors in improving employee performance. In general, HR is responsible for functional tasks and has expertise in various departments of the company. On the other hand, HRBP focuses on a specific business unit and has a thorough understanding of it. As a strategic partner, HRBP assists unit supervisors in manpower promotion and scheduling, which makes their responsibilities broader but more in-depth. To be more specific, The HRBP has three core roles: strategic business partner, operational expert, and employee advocate. It plays a crucial role in representing the company, unit supervisors, and employees simultaneously and serves as a strategic assistant to the company or as a representative of employees' opinions. The HRBP's primary responsibility is to integrate the company, business units, and employees to achieve synergy.

Mr. Tsai and Mr. Huang concluded the talk by providing the actual case study where the manager and employee had some conflicts. Students were separated into groups, and their shared goal was to devise a solution and mechanism for resolving the disagreement if they were now HRBP. All groups came up with fantastic and innovative ideas while avoiding shooting at any of the conflicting parties. During their enthusiastic lecture, the class was highly engaged and gained practical advice. The case study session was interactive, with engaging discussions in and outside of class. The class highly appreciated their efforts to come to Kaohsiung and share valuable experiences.

《111-2 GHRM608》The Introduction of Recruitment in Startup

Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), instructed by Professor Shyh-Jer Chen and Professor Heidi Chang, invited Grace Kuo from PicCollage, a US start-up company. PicCollage provides a canvas for combining photographs and movies with artistic elements and templates. Ms. Kuo is currently the People Operations Manager at PicCollage, and she shared how the recruitment process works at start-ups. She has a master’s degree in Global Human Resource Management from National Sun Yat-sen University and a master’s degree in Science and International Business from Nottingham Trent University.

Ms. Kuo began her session by providing a brief introduction to the company and her professional experience. PicCollage is a team of 100 culturally diverse members based in Taiwan. The company received its initial funding from Silicon Valley investors. As a result, the company's business principles combine Silicon Valley's enthusiasm with Taiwan's ingenuity. Ms. Kuo then asked the students, "Which one is more important for startups? Is it the product, the market, or the people?” The answers from students varied. Ms. Kuo emphasized the importance of startups understanding when to catch the wave. Ms. Kuo also added, “You may have the most extraordinary people and the best product, but it will all be for naught if you miss the moment to join the market.” Even the most successful products, such as the iPhone, have been waiting a long time to catch the wave.

Along with introducing the concept of startups, Ms. Kuo also introduced the notion of startups as well as a recruiting process model and how the recruitment funnel is used to refine the entire process, making it more efficient. During this session, certain questions were raised, such as "How can we effectively use the findings from the recruitment funnel in the work processes, considering that the numbers may vary due to uncertainties?” Ms. Kuo then shared the use of several goal-setting methods, such as MVP (minimum viable product) and OKR (Objective and Key Result). Some successful companies, such as Google, LinkedIn, and others, have followed the OKR method. This framework provides a clear image of what each person must accomplish with quantifiable results, which helps align them with the team's or business's objectives. The MVP approach in HR allows HR departments to prioritize the most important parts of their processes, resulting in faster implementation, lower costs, and more successful outcomes.

Ms. Kuo also mentioned the retrospective 4Ls (Liked, Lacked, Learned, and Longed for) method as an After Action Review (AAR) approach for team projects. She emphasized that PicCollage is a startup with limited resources, such as money provided for each project, so they must use it well in order to achieve the best results with the fewest resources. By going through AAR, unnecessary processes or steps can be eliminated when taking on similar projects in the future, thus saving both time and money. After the sharing session, students were randomly assigned to groups to practice OKR for goal setting, providing an MVP of their action, allocating the budget, defining it, and explaining the logic behind their decisions.

Mr. Kuo's lively and enthusiastic lecture had a positive reaction, and the students learned a lot from her practical knowledge. Overall, participants provided positive feedback. They considered this sharing session beneficial in the future when selecting the HR role in a start-up. The class highly appreciated Ms. Kuo's effort to come to Kaohsiung and her valuable experience.

《111-2 SA》Exploring Taiwan's Culture: Field Trip to Jiu Zhen Nan

On March 17th, the Student Association embarked on a cultural exploration by organizing a field trip to Jiu Zhen Nan Pastry Cultural Concept Store for students enrolled in international programs. Founded in 1890, Jiu Zhen Nan has been devoted to handcrafting luxury Han Pastry for over 130 years. Beginning as a humble one-store bakery, today it has become a household name across Taiwan, associated with celebrating life’s cherished moments. The field trip to Jiu Zhen Nan was a valuable experience for students to learn more about the culture and tradition of Taiwan, especially the Han Pastry.

The field trip started with a warm welcome speech from Jiu Zhen Nan’s staff, and the students were given aprons to ensure they would have a relaxing time making pineapple cakes. Students were then divided into two groups, each accompanied by an experienced chef of Jiu Zhen Nan, who demonstrated the art of blending ingredients to create the perfect pastry crust. Each participant crafted six pineapple cakes under the watchful guidance of the chefs, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

After finishing making the cakes, students had the opportunity to go on a tour of Jiu Zhen Nan with a guide. They learned more about different types of molds and their origins and stories. Everyone was amazed by the detailed work of the baker. The tour guide also introduced traditional weddings and shared how in olden times, often brides only met the grooms for the first time during their wedding. Grooms gave gifts to brides to express their happiness, and each gift encompassed a distinctive meaning. The tour guide conveyed facts about history in a lively way, which was unforgettable for students.

Moving from the past to the present, students gained insights into modern Taiwanese culture, particularly the evolving expressions of love in the digital age. With the development of science and technology, humans now convey their love using the Internet and other digital methods. Jiu Zhen Nan also has developed a special system for providing advice in their future relationship with their partners. Before tasting their self-made pineapple cakes, students engaged with this system and penned down wishes within the store. Students seemed to have a lot of fun and enjoyed their cakes immensely.

As the field trip concluded, the Student Association extended heartfelt thanks to the Jiu Zhen Nan staff and the students for making the day a resounding success. The students not only had a delightful time but also gained invaluable knowledge about Taiwan's rich heritage and culture. It was a remarkable memory for students’ journey in the school.

《111-2 SA》Celebrating the Class of 2023: A Look Back at a Unique Graduation Party

On 19th May 2023, the Student Association organized a graduation party to congratulate GHRM MBA and IBMBA seniors who are going to graduate this semester. It was just like yesterday when the Class of 2023 started their first online lesson during the Covid-19 pandemic. Two years have passed with various memories and now it is about time for them to wrap up their study and write a new chapter in their journey. The Graduation Party is a farewell to all our graduates who have worked hard and a celebration to wish them health, luck, and happiness in the future.

The night started with a touching look back down memory lane. It was such an emotional moment for students as their two-year journey is memorized in a five-minute video. The Class of 2023 started their master’s journey with a lot of difficulties due to Covid-19. International students could not make it to the campus on time, which was a pity for everybody. From strangers, they become classmates, friends, and families. Together, everyone had a wonderful time, traveling, talking, and exploring the beautiful country of Taiwan together. The whole party was quiet for a while with memories going down the lane.

Following this, the floor was handed to two students, Michael from the GHRM MBA, and Edward from the IBMBA, who had been selected to speak on behalf of their friends. Michael's speech was filled with humor, breaking the somber mood and filling the room with laughter. In contrast, Edward's speech was short but inspiring, sparking a wave of emotion. Professor Ryan Brading also shares his feelings and wishes graduates all the best for their future journey. There is nothing to fear, keep going ahead and moving toward your dream!

The evening was concluded with a series of exciting activities that had the students thoroughly entertained. The games that ensued saw active participation from students and faculty alike, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The high point was when Professor Ryan Brading and Wil Martens joined the students in a spirited game of Beer Pong. The room buzzed with laughter and friendship, making it a night to remember.

The graduation party served as a memorable capstone to the students' journey, blending joy, nostalgia, and excitement for the future into one unforgettable evening. To the Class of 2023, we extend our heartfelt congratulations!

《111-2 SA》“ No Limits, Just Trashion” competition

On April 28, 2023, the Student Association (SA) hosted the “No Limits, Just Trashion” competition at the NSYSU campus. This inventive competition encouraged students to transform discarded materials into fashionable items, including clothing, accessories, and footwear. The goal was to reuse and recycle materials in a creative and meaningful manner. The competition embraced the TRASHION concept and took the form of a fashion show, allowing participants to showcase their talents and commitment to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on Goals 8, 12, and 13.

We are so happy to receive registration from students all over the campus, reflecting a collective consciousness towards global development. Below are the artworks of each team and their catwalk performance, and the competition was judged by Professor Ryan Brading from the College of Management at NSYSU. With his extensive experience in teaching and mentoring social entrepreneurship, Professor Ryan was the ideal choice to evaluate the entries.

Team 1- Press to Impress - Made out of recycled magazine covers, this one-of-a-kind artwork is a visual delight, fusing imaginative design with fashionable flair. This stunning piece not only accentuates your body shape but also promotes eco-friendly fashion.

Team 2- Strawfairy - Inspired by Disney's Tinker Bell, the white dress made of biodegradable trash bags is soft like Tinker Bell's dandelion dress. As Tinker Bell was brought to Neverland by a baby's happiness, through our design, we would like to encourage people to take sustainable actions for our next generations' happiness. When we change our habits, we are sending a fairy to the future to make a baby happy.

Team 3 - Eco-dress - When “fast” fashion is not “fast fashion”! The dress consisted entirely of plastic bags collected during grocery shopping. They are now transformed into an incredibly beautiful dress that is perfect for the summer in Kaohsiung: hot but memorable and adorable.

Team 4- Hajime Shimizu - The clothes are inspired by plastic and paper bags piled up everyday due to shopping in Taiwan. Instead of being thrown away, these bags were changed into beautiful artwork. It is to emphasize how disturbing the bags are and the hiding face expresses that many people are innocent and turning away from environmental problems.

Team 5 - Happy Penguin - These parachute pants are made with shopping bags. Because of the specifics of the material, these pants are rather an art piece, rather than an everyday fashion item, but our photoshoot proved that they definitely look good on a person. Happy Penguin is on its way to improving with more suitable materials to wear everyday!

Team 6 - GIKI - Starbucks paper bags are used as the main material. Wearing accessories related to ESG companies like Starbucks can remind wearers to practice responsible and sustainable consumption and contribute to the environment. By doing our best, we hope that as citizens of the global village, we can create a future with a shared prosperity vision.

Team 7 - From trash to treasure - This special T-shirt is specially made entirely from recycled materials, such as plastic bags and magazines. It's an innovative design that supports sustainability and environmental awareness, while also promoting the values of the SDGs. By reusing waste and turning it into something beautiful, this T-shirt shows how small actions can make a big difference.

Following the catwalk, each team participated in an eloquence segment titled “Why Should You Choose Me?”, accompanied by comments from the judge.

After carefully considering and evaluating, we finally found three winners including Press to Impress - First Prize, Hajime Shimizu - Second Prize, and Straw Fairy - Third Prize! Also, the winner for People's Choice Award is Eco-Dress!

At the end of the event, the Student Association expressed their gratitude to the honored judge and all students for the enthusiastic participation. The event was not only entertaining but also educational, fostering a deeper understanding of the SDGs and the importance of recycling. It was a meaningful experience for students’ journey in the school.

《111-2 SA》Meeting with Professional Workshop

Date: April 22, 2023

Time: 13:00 - 16:00

Participants: IBMBA and GHRM MBA students

Guest speakers and their background:

1. Mrs. Claire: a NSYSU Alumni with abundant experience in the field of human resource. She has been in this industry for 10+ years since 2010, and worked for both local and international companies. Claire is now a HRBP in Leading Recruitment Service, one of the biggest headhunting companies in Taiwan.

2. Mr. Justin: A graduate of IBMBA, and is currently a Sale Product Manager in Asus. He has 2 years+ project manager experience comprising multinational cross-functional cooperation, product development and planning, Windows implementation in the IT industry.

3. Mr. Dennie: A graduate of IBMBA, and has been working in Taishin International Bank as a Management Associate in the Department of Data Collection and Implement since July, 2020. 

4. Mr. Yao: He has 16 years of experience working in SIEMENS Medical Engineering Department and is now owning one of the biggest Co-Working Space - Sync in Kaohsiung with more than 100 companies across 40 industries as their clients.

On April 22, 2023, the Student Association (SA) organized a “Meeting with Professional” workshop at NSYSU campus with the attendance of four guest speakers from various industries and 20 IBMBA  & GHRM students. The workshop consisted of two main sections: General and Private sections. In the first section, guest speakers introduced themselves, their career and experiences. Then, they answered two common questions raised during the workshop “ What is your current job like?” and “Why did you choose this career?” After that, Mrs Claire - HRBP at Leading Recruitment Services (LRS) Consulting Firm gave a brief introduction about the headhunting industry.

Before moving to the second part, MC asked everyone to take group photos to celebrate the event and give certificates to guest speakers for their contribution to the workshop.

The second part was the Private consulting sector, which lasted around two hours. In this part, participants were divided into different rooms with consultants of their choice, Mrs. Claire - Human Resources industry, Mr. Justin - Technology industry, Mr. Dennie- Finance, and Mr. Yao - Foreign and Domestic Companies respectively. The private section was conducted one by one in a private room with an aim to bring opportunities for participants to ask private questions and personal career plans. Besides, the guest speakers also provided further explanation and delivered knowledge by drawing on the whiteboard, which helped participants understand easily.

At the end of the workshop, participants and guest speakers came back to the main room and answered questions if any. After having a quick survey at the workshop, most of the participants were satisfied with the private consulting sectors. However, they wished the first part, the general opening, could last longer so that they can know more about other guest speakers and their companies. Besides, SA also sent an online feedback survey to all guest speakers and participants to improve our future event. In short, the “ Meeting with Professionals” is a helpful and practical event for graduated students’ careers.

《111-2 GHRM608》 What is the current talent pool like in Taiwan?

Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), instructed by Professor Shyh-Jer Chen and Professor Heidi Chang, welcomed Mr. Alexis Lin from Development Dimensions International (DDI), an international human resources and leadership development consultancy. DDI collaborates with businesses to implement improvements in leadership development, leadership selection, succession management, and execution and performance. Although Mr. Lin is currently on his career break, Mr. Lin was the Solution Account Manager at DDI Taiwan. Mr. Lin has obtained vast HR skills in various organizations throughout his career. Before joining DDI Taiwan, he was Overseas Business Manager at TPI software and Deputy Manager at Cathay Life Insurance for many years. He holds a Master's in Human Resource Management from National Sun Yat-sen University and a Master's of Business Administration in International Business from ESSCA, France.

Mr. Lin began his session with a brief introduction to his professional experience. He introduced the three-pillar model adapted by Cathay Life Insurance. The pillar comprises three segments: Center of Expertise (COE), Business Partners (BP), and Shared Services. The COE would provide the overarching structure, such as creating policies or developing the framework, functioning as the organization's brain. The BP would deal with internal clients, often personnel from a specific department/function, and be in charge of the whole HR-related issues. Finally, Shared Services, such as labor insurance and payroll, serve as the administrative branch of HR. Together the model aims to enhance efficiency.

Mr. Lin highlighted that although the BPs are given the authority to address issues independently if they encounter problems with policies or frameworks, they usually escalate to the COE and explore potential solutions. Mr. Lin mentioned that this model is better suited for medium-to-large-sized businesses or major Multinational Enterprise (MNEs) with a considerable company size. Considering the employee number of a small-medium firm (SME) is relatively small, the structure of this model may not be optimal because there would not be enough employees to split the job scope that specifically.

Mr. Lin then linked VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) to explain the talent shortage situation in Taiwan. He mentioned that there is now a skill gap that may have contributed to this talent shortage situation. Through utilizing the recruiting tools like DDI's Success Profile Model, one might find and access people with the necessary talents to perform the job more systematically and organizationally. Moreover, it would help "B players'' identify what kind of skills they are missing. Mr. Lin mentioned that some good qualities might become future barriers with statistics numbers supported. While dependable and well-organized, someone may lack the agility to deal with the uncertainty of today's fast-changing culture and workplace. Apart from agility, he also highlighted that nowadays, companies use the term "Human Resource'' less. Instead of considering humans as merely a resource, they focus on the well-being of people and organizations, as well as empowering each talents to their fullest potential.

Lastly, Mr. Lin shared and compared his experiences in in-house HR and consulting firms. An in-house HR department works closely with different departments and managerial levels and begins with a specific function. He emphasizes that resources and business priorities may be various based on industries, developing stages, and company size. It is vital to keep the "business thinking," such as what role does HR play in your company? What influences can you make to add more value? As for in consulting firms, you’ll receive various mechanisms and tools to deal with specific business issues. They often have to work in a fast-paced, high pressured, and multitasking environment, which might be hampered by a lack of practical experience. Students are suggested that it is crucial to be prepared for being presentable and professional if you’re considering joining a consulting firm.

The class enjoyed Mr. Lin's lecture and learned much from his sharing toward career path and professional HR experience. Participants gave positive feedback and highly recommended this course. They considered this sharing beneficial in HR functions in different companies and talent situations in Taiwan.

《GHRM MBA_Alumni interview》Embarking on a Transformative Journey: Jason's MBA Experience at NSYSU

Choosing the right university and program for your MBA studies is a pivotal decision that can shape and determine your future career path. We were privileged to have a talk with Jason Yang, a former student of GHRM MBA program who now thrives in the tech industry as a Product Manager (PM) at Advantech Co.,Ltd. Jason shares his insightful experiences, shedding light on the benefits of studying at NSYSU and offering valuable advice to current and prospective students. Jason's journey is not your typical student-to-graduate story; he is an American-born Taiwanese and had already been in Taiwan for several years before deciding to pursue his MBA. His experience provides a unique perspective on studying abroad and its advantages. 

Jason's decision to pursue his MBA in Taiwan was not a straightforward choice. Having been in Taiwan since 2010, he initially came to teach English and later worked in a trading company. However, he aspired for more than just teaching English, as he saw the limitations of relying solely on it as a long-term career. Jason explains how he was convinced by the reputation of NSYSU, considered one of the top 10 schools in Taiwan.  Although his journey had a few hurdles, including missing paperwork during his initial application, Jason's determination led him to NSYSU's GHRM MBA program. One of the first things that struck Jason about NSYSU was the breathtaking scenic view of the campus. Reflecting on his time at NSYSU, Jason expressed admiration for the campus's natural beauty, which he found unparalleled. Nestled near the beach, NSYSU offers a serene and idyllic setting that invigorates students. He emphasized that NSYSU's campus made up for this by providing a magnificent environment conducive to study and personal growth.

What’s more, NSYSU GHRM MBA offers students a wide selection of opprtunities to study overseas such as dual degree in many renowned universities. Jason made perfect use of school resources and got a chance to study at UC (University of California) Riverside in the United States. Having previously studied at UC Riverside, Jason drew comparisons between the teaching methods employed at both institutions. He noted that UC Riverside heavily relied on the case study method, wherein students worked together to solve real-world business cases. In contrast, NSYSU embraced a more diverse teaching approach, combining various methods to deliver a comprehensive educational experience, which gave  him chances to work collaboratively with classmates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This collaborative and cross-culture environment fostered lively discussions and encouraged students to explore various solutions to business challenges. The emphasis on teamwork and the exchange of ideas enriched Jason's learning experience, allowing him to gain a broader perspective on global business practices.

The GHRM MBA program equipped Jason with valuable and practical skillsets that have proven instrumental in his career progression. After taking a variety of business classes,     he found that his Excel proficiency, honed through data analysis coursework, has been particularly beneficial in his business roles. Jason emphasizes the importance of being comfortable with Excel, as it is a widely used tool in various business positions. It provides the perfect way to generate informed decisions, which is applicable to various roles in the business world Furthermore, he illustrates the multifaceted paths available for MBA graduates in the tech industry, whether it be marketing, engineering, or product management. As a product manager in the tech industry, Jason shares insights into the necessary characteristics for success in this role. He highlights the importance of being hardworking, organized, and adept at collaborating with different departments. Effective teamwork, communication, and presentation skills are essential in managing cross-functional teams. Jason emphasizes that the path to becoming a product manager is not limited to a specific educational background or certificate, showcasing the diverse routes individuals can take to enter the field. Moreover, recognizing the challenges faced by students without prior work experience, Jason points out the significance of internships in gaining a competitive edge in the job market. With experience working as a people & organization consulting intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He shares his own internship experience, acquired through the recommendation of his thesis advisor, and the benefits it brought to his career. Jason acknowledges that internships provide valuable practical knowledge, serve as a stepping stone to higher-level positions, and enhance the chances of securing full-time employment.

Drawing from his own experiences, Jason offers practical advice and suggestions to current MBA students. He advises them to embrace their time at NSYSU, make the most of their free time, create lasting memories with friends, and maintain a work-life balance. Furthermore, he explains the importance of continuous learning through reading books, particularly recommending titles related to product management and behavioral psychology. Jason also encourages students to seek internships to leverage real-world business experience and gain practical insights. Lastly but not least, proficiency in Excel is certainly an addition and useful ability. Students, thus, are suggested equipping themselves with such software skill before stepping into the workplace since it is highly demanded in all business sectors. All in all, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to have an insightful talk with Jason, learning about what he is doing, how has the skills acquired from GHRM MBA benefited his career and what advice can be given to our current students. 

《111-2_GHRM507》Lung Soon Fishing Company Field Trip Explores Industry Challenges and Opportunities

Date: March 28th, 2023

Students from the Consulting Methods and Practice class recently took a field trip to Lung Soon Ocean Group headquarters to gain insights into the company they will be collaborating with for their semester project. On this trip to the Qianzhen fishing harbor, the class had the opportunity to tour the storage facilities and flagship restaurant at the company offices under the guidance of Professors Chien-Yuan Sher and Heng-Yen Chang, and Lung Soon representatives Mr. Kent Lin, the managing director, and Mr. Spencer Hsu, the overseas manager.

In the processing and storage facilities, the class got to see factory workers handling freshly caught fish. They also got to learn about different fish species and where to catch them, as well as visit one of the super frozen storage rooms which is operating at minus 60 degrees Celsius. Afterward, the tour continued at the SoonYi tuna restaurant, where the group attended a company presentation to dive deeper into their consulting project. 

The managers gave the students a brief introduction to the different brands under Lung Soon, including their restaurant chains, supermarkets and loyalty app. Emphasizing the significance of sustainable practices within the fishing industry, they also outlined their mission to promote tuna-eating culture. Furthermore, the class learned about the company’s operation strategy, its boats and fishing capacities, and various seafood products. The managers also explained the company’s goal of waste reduction, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sales trends.

Lung Soon’s CEO, Mr. Chih-Yuan Wang, was fortunately available to share a few words with the class. He illustrated that the company has valued solving problems within the industry since its foundation in 2008. He also shared some career advice and insights into the company’s growth journey. The field trip ended with a Q&A session, where the consulting class teams discussed the company’s overseas expansion priorities. The students expressed their ideas and the company managers provided additional directions for the consulting project, which the class will work on over the coming months. 

《111-2 GHRM608》How do you tell a remarkable story - the introduction of Tell-Show-Tell Framework

On week 8, Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA) instructed by Professor Shyh-Jer Chen and Professor Heidi Chang welcomed Danny Huang from Workday Taiwan and Ivy Hsu from SAP Taiwan. Workday is a major provider of business cloud software for finance and human resources, assisting customers in adapting to and thriving in an ever-changing environment. SAP Taiwan is one of the directory of SAP SE. The company also focuses on software for managing business processes, creating solutions to improve data processing and information flow across businesses. 

Mr. Lin is currently the Presales Solution Consultant at Workday Taiwan. He had 5 years of experience in HR tech solutions in the Greater China market and 3 years as in-house HR practitioner. Ms. Hsu, the other guest speaker, is presently the HXM Solution Advisor at SAP Taiwan. She worked as the Assistant Manager at Nan Shan Life Insurance and KPMG Taiwan before joining SAP Taiwan. Over their careers, they have both gained considerable experience in a variety of enterprises. Furthermore, they are both notable alumni from the Institute of Human Resource Management at National Sun Yat-sen University.  

Mr. Lin and Ms. Hsu started their sharing with the brief introduction of themselves and their companies backgrounds. Unlike the previous sharing from the HR specialties, they offered students more hands-on activities to supplement the Tell-Show-Tell framework. Tell-Show-Tell framework was introduced as an organized method that includes the provision of context, product demonstration, and a summary to persuade stakeholders during a pitch or presentation. This framework firstly aims to discover more about the target audience, their pain points, what they require, and what they want to achieve from the pitch. The second step shows how the solutions would help address the issues by conducting a live demonstration. Finally, telling the audience a summary that outlines the main key points would help resonate with them. 

Focusing on the hands-on activities, this class was grouped into five groups to promote different target applications, e.g. Shopee, Canva, MeituPic, Linkedin, Taiwan Railway, and their target audiences. Mr. Lin and Ms. Hsu highlighted that the Tell-Show-Tell structure could also be used for interview preparation, as it provides a structured approach to answering commonly asked interview questions, as well as a holistic view of the strengths and weaknesses that one can use as selling points to persuade interviewers that there is a good fit for certain role. Some questions were raised during the session, like “Is there any training given to new employees to help improve their presentation skills or how to conduct a proper sales pitch to the client?” and “ How could we  deal with nervousness when presenting in front of your bosses or important clients?”. Toward the end of the sharing, students liked how both the presenters shared with us some tips on how they could prepare for our pitch. 

The class enjoyed their lively and enthusiastic lecture and learned a lot from their practical advice. Overall, participants were fully engaged in the case study session and had very interactive discussions. The class highly appreciated Mr. Lin and Ms. Hsu’s efforts to come to NSYSU and share their valuable experience.

《111-2 GHRM608》How does HR shape corporate culture - Porsche Taiwan

Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), instructed by Professor Shyh-Jer Chen and Professor Heidi Chang, welcomed Carly Ma and her HR team from Porsche Taiwan, a devoted subsidiary of Porsche AG. Porsche Taiwan has imported and distributed Porsche automobiles in Taiwan since 2018. Ms. Ma is currently the Human Resource Manager at Porsche Taiwan. Along with her team, Charlie, Sean, Vivian, and Tiffany, they shared how HR shapes company culture at Porsche Taiwan. Ms. Ma has gained extensive HR knowledge in various organizations throughout her career. Before joining Porsche Taiwan, she was HR Business Partner at Amazon Canada. Her expertise includes planning and deploying programs to empower employees and enhancing employee engagement and talent management. 

Ms. Ma started the session with a brief introduction to the company and her professional experience. Ms. Ma highlights that the HR department at Porsche Taiwan reports directly to the CEO, which allows them to be involved in strategic planning, thus increasing efficiency. In addition to posting job openings, managing payroll, providing training, and planning engagement events, the Porsche HR teams’ responsibilities include ensuring fair and consistent practices among employees, designing work models, including work-from-home options, managing employee relations, developing people strategy, e.g., hiring candidates with aligned goals, implementing change management in shaping organizational culture.

Ms. Ma also mentioned the CSR program - Dream Together at Porsche Taiwan with the collaboration partners BoYo Social Welfare and The Society of Wilderness. The program started in 2019 with five pillars of engagement: Society, Environment, Education & Science, Culture, and Sports. Some of the initiatives under the program include the Porsche virtual run, BOYO summer class tour, and beach cleaning family day events. It showcases how Porsche Taiwan is doing what suits profitability, the environment, and society rather than just focusing on the company's growth. With ‘Dream Together’, Porsche Taiwan hopes to make people reach closer to their dreams. 

Mr. Charlie Chang, HR Generalist at Porsche Taiwan, then emphasized that organizational culture is crucial for the success of Porsche Taiwan because it increases employee engagement, helps retain top talent, builds the employer's brand, and ultimately increases overall productivity. Therefore, investing in creating a positive organizational culture that aligns with the company's values and goals is vital. Mr. Chang first asked students “what is your ideal work culture”, and “is your ideal work culture realistic”? He explained what corporate culture is like at Porsche Taiwan by introducing the Competing Values Framework (CVF) published in 1983 by R.E. Quinn and J. Rohrbaugh. 

The CVF two-dimensional framework refers to assisting an organization in understanding its culture and determining what makes it genuinely effective with its vertical axis, illustrating where the organization's culture lies between being flexible or stable and the horizontal axis, indicating whether the organization is more internally or externally focused. Porsche Taiwan falls into the Clan (collaborate) quadrant representing teamwork, effective relationships, personal empowerment, and talent management. They believe a people-oriented culture results in a less hierarchical structure, enhancing employee engagement. 

The class enjoyed Ms. Ma's and her team's lively and enthusiastic lecture and learned much from her practical sharing. Participants gave positive feedback and highly recommended this course. They considered this sharing beneficial in understanding how important creating a positive work culture is. The class was fully engaged in the case study session and had very interactive discussions. As part of the feedback toward students’ presentations, Porsche Taiwan HR team shared their experiences on building a culture of integrity, having ownership in a growth mindset, office cleanliness, and work-life balance. The class highly appreciated the team’s effort to come to Kaohsiung and share their valuable experience.

《111-2 GHRM608》Human Resources Competency Development- Field trip to ASML Tainan

On May 5th, 2023, students from the class of Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), with the lead of Professor Heidi Chang, had the opportunity to visit the ASML office in Tainan. ASML is a Dutch multinational corporation founded in 1984. It is one of the world's leading manufacturers of EUV and DUV boards known for their 2-3 nanometer chip, with clients including TSMC and Unimicron.

The class was welcomed by the current Talent Acquisition Team Leader Mr. Kevin Wu, who is one of notable alumni from the Institute of Human Resource Management at National Sun Yat-sen University, and his team, Dean, Julie, Victoria and Hugo and Tiffany from People Development team. Before joining ASML Taiwan, Mr. Wu served several HR roles, such as

Recruitment Consultant and HRBP in Display Technology and Financial function, with TSMC, Corning Incorporated and IBM.

The session began with an introduction to the semiconductor industry and the various products and services that it provides to clients. According to the explanation, the majority of customers were in-demand business executives. The team then described their position and employment responsibilities. Despite the fact that everyone has a separate role, their bonding in HR may be viewed and related as one huge team. Following that, students were separated into four groups and assigned three job duties, customer service, supply chain and manufacturer, to complete the tasks and challenges. Customer service (CS) communicates with customers, learning about their requirements and resuming both roles. The supply chain (SC) is responsible for gathering materials and delivering them to the manufacturer so that they can solve the challenges. Manufacturing inquires with SC to search for new resources while listening to CS and supporting another manufacturing function in finishing their tasks.

This activity shows a real-life scenario of how ASML operates. They are primarily concerned with the 3C culture, which stands for collaboration, caring, and challenging. Collaboration across all departments in the firm, whether internal or external, to constantly be mindful of the surroundings and to push employees to evolve and progress. Following that, students should think up another game or activity linked to ASML 3C and prepare a presentation on it. This session required students conduct the activities for a newcomer to get familiarized with and adapt to the 3Cs of ASML. The idea might be presented as follows: when moving beyond self-transcendence, one should collaborate with internal and external parties to contribute diverse abilities in addition to broadening personal perspectives. Nonetheless, in today's highly competitive marketplace, it would be ideal if everyone could show some concern or maintenance for what transpires on around them. As a result, everyone is not only surrounded by enthusiasm, but they also drive a well-collaborated team.

In conclusion, the visit of the Human Resources Competency Development class to ASML's Tainan office provided students with an unique opportunity to learn about the semiconductor industry and the various products and services that ASML provides to its clients. Overall, participants gave positive feedback after the visit. They considered this visit beneficial. It provides students an opportunity to observe a well-known company, its environment and working space to see what to consider in the future in considering joining an organization.

《111-2 SA》 Thesis Workshop

Writing a thesis is never an easy task, especially for those who have no experience at all. Since writing a thesis is considered a must in order for a master’s degree student to obtain their diploma, the Student Association of the International Program organized a workshop, tailor-made for those who need some guidance on how to write a quality thesis. We were honored to have Kang Nguyen and Michal Polacek as our guest speakers, who have both written a thesis with a score of A+ during their Master’s Degrees in IBMBA and GHRM MBA. 

After a warm welcome and introduction to both speakers, Michal Polacek started with two important parts about writing a thesis, deciding your topic, and deciding who might be your most suitable thesis advisor. Some participants had no idea what their topic should be, and some had a rough idea about it but were still confused about who they should invite as their thesis advisor.  Michal Polacek answered all of the questions with interesting ideas, such as identifying ourselves as either being underachieving or overachieving. This is an interesting and important mindset for students to consider before starting a thesis as choosing the wrong topic and advisor with the wrong mindset might result in a miserable thesis life.

For the second session, Kang Nguyen went with a more practical approach. He provided lots of helpful information for our participants by going deeper into the details of writing a thesis. The library of NSYSU has collected a considerable amount of resources for students over the years. Whenever students need ideas or references, the school library is a good place to go. A well-organized schedule is also an essential part when it comes to writing a thesis. Kang Nguyen ended the session by providing some criteria for a good thesis which are extremely important for scoring well.

The most interesting part of the event was when two guest speakers collaborated with each other while explaining the oral defense. Michal Polacek and Kang Nguyen presented it by asking each other questions like in a real defense session. Since both speakers knew each other already, the session was informal with lots of valuable tips about oral defense. The students’ queries were answered by the speakers and they left the session with much more confidence in writing their thesis.

《111-2 GHRM608》What is Human Resource Operation? How do you as an employee get evaluated? The performance appraisals introduction

On Friday, March 3rd, 2023, students of Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), instructed by Professor Chen, Shyh-Jer and Professor Chang, Heidi, welcomed Anco Tsao from HTC, a Taiwanese consumer electronics manufacturer. Anco's talk focused on how performance appraisal is used in the current HR function. Mr. Tsao is an Assistant Manager of Human Resources Operations at HTC Taiwan. He holds a Bachelor'sBachelor's degree from National Taiwan University and a Master'sMaster's degree in Human Resource Management from National Sun Yat-sen University. 

Mr. Tsao hails from a diplomatic family. He had spent his childhood in many countries in North, Central, and South America. He returned to his roots after graduating from high school, believing there would be more opportunities to study in Taiwan and make good use of his diverse background rather than staying aboard with the narrative market. His expertise includes planning and deploying global HR policies, global talent acquisition, bettering the onboarding experience, and overseeing end-to-end HR processes. Mr. Tsao has gained extensive HR knowledge in various organizations throughout his career.

Mr. Tsao began his session with a brief introduction to his professional experience before diving right into the main topic. He mentioned that the key objectives of HR operation are encouraging effective and efficient HR service delivery and ensuring that HR initiatives are cost-effective and run smoothly. Some questions were raised during the session: (1) Is PM operationalized under HR Ops in HTC? (2) Do the HR Operation team (HRIS) work closely with IT to roll out the system?  (3) How does the HR Ops team get the buy-in from employees when rolling out the system? During the sharing, the students also commented that they were a bit surprised to hear a standalone HR operations function as HR operations are often fused under each subset of HR, such as the operation of the Recruiting team, Compensation & Benefits team, Payroll team, etc.

Mr. Tsao then highlighted a few rating methods and introduced the challenges of using either. Mr. Taso emphasized that employees should be evaluated critically based on their overall performance, but tenure may also be a factor. This is because new hires sometimes require more time to assimilate into their new roles, making evaluating their performance more challenging. Giving them a good rating might also affect the team's morale, especially among the more senior workers who have done just as well, if not better. Some students were also curious about if there are occasions where employees refused to complete the performance appraisal form and how you deal with them. 

The class enjoyed Mr. Tsao's lively and enthusiastic lecture and learned much from his practical knowledge. Participants gave positive feedback and highly recommended this course. They considered this sharing beneficial in understanding how performance appraisals are utilized in the workplace. Some were inspired by Mr. Taso's advice at the end of the lecture. He firstly encouraged students to build and cherish connections during their academic pursuits. Second suggestion is to fail quickly but learn quicker. He highlighted that it is a critical notion in today's fast paced and dynamic business environment. It encourages students to take chances, learn from their errors, and swiftly adjust their strategies. Lastly, he mentioned to always stay curious. By visiting curiosity, students can expand their minds and gain new perspectives. It is essential to remain curious and continue to learn and grow in knowledge.

《111-2 GHRM608》What Kind of Employees You Are? Does only one personality trait lead to a successful career path?

On Friday, February 24th, 2023, students of Human Resources Competency Development class (GHRM MBA), instructed by Professor Chen, Shyh-Jer and Professor Chang, Heidi, welcomed Pei Chun Liao from Fox Factory with a guest lecture on the topic of how DISC model, (D) dominance, (I) influence, (S) steadiness and (C) conscientiousness, helps in discovering work personalities. Ms. Liao is currently a Human Resource Business Partner at Fox Factory with her Bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University and Master's degree in Human Resource Management from National Sun Yat-sen University. Her expertise includes talent development and senior training development, and she has abundant HR experience in many companies throughout her career path.

Ms. Laio began her lecture with a warm-up activity in which participants told stories based on a piece of painting. The personalities of the individuals began to emerge during the warm-up game, which led to a question at the end of the game raised by Ms. Liao "Were you the one that asked others actively, or are you the one waiting to be asked? ". The question started the lecture off right. Ms. Liao grouped students based on the worksheet results and asked each group two questions, 1. What motivates you? 2. What puts you under pressure? Ms. Liao then gave feedback on answers from each group and explained why given the same questions, there were multiple answers in a group, whereas there was only one answer within a group.

The DISC model is categorized based on the level of cognition, perception, action, and observation. Ms. Liao highlighted that people with Steadiness thinking who prioritize supporting and collaborating in a team are more receptive to differing perspectives out of care for the workplace's well-being and often serve as an integrator. Individuals that have Dominance thinking, on the other hand, aim to be goal-oriented and serve a producer in a team. They are motivated by competitiveness, authority, and power, and they value challenging themselves and others as well as acting quickly. People with Conscientiousness thinking operate as administrators in the workplace. Their focus is to ensure correctness, driven by possibilities to grow skill and knowledge. Finally, the Influence thinking kind of person prefers expressing passion, taking action, and receiving encouragement through social recognition. They are often an Entrepreneur in the business role.

Ms. Liao pointed out from her experience that a person's DISC category can shift over time. There is no right or wrong to each kind of thinking and behavioral habits. She mentioned, as you advance in your career, you develop your area of expertise, which shapes or influences your behavior. Some questions were raised by participants during the session, such as, how did Fox Factory employ the psychometric assessment? When and how was the psychometric testing used throughout the hiring process? Was the DISC category mapped to the job function by Fox Factory, and if so, how? What is the format of the psychometric assessment report and how should it be interpreted? To answer the questions, Ms. Liao emphasised that DISC is not used in the hiring process in Fox Factory. It is more of a development tool. No certain forms of habits will be unfavored to today's business. Each sort of habit has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses can allow you to create a better career development strategy for yourself.

The class enjoyed Ms. Liao's lively and enthusiastic lecture and learned a lot from her practical knowledge. Overall, participants gave positive feedback and highly recommended this course after Ms. Liao’s lecture. They considered this sharing to be beneficial in understanding more about their own talents and flaws, which may be used for their personal improvement. Some love how interactive the lecture was, and the way Ms. Liao delivered her lecture was inspiring.

ALUMNI SHARING: Lukasz Piotr Lanski from Poland shares his experience

GHRM MBA is a truly global program with students from countries around the world coming together to create a diverse learning experience for all students. Lukasz Piotr Lanski our exceptional GHRM alumnus from Poland has been living in Taiwan for a decade now and has some useful insights for our current students. He shares his experience of studying at NSYSU and advises students to follow their passion and take risks to move forward in their careers.

With a background in Mandarin language studies, Lukasz chose to study in Taiwan to further enhance his linguistic abilities as well as cultural knowledge. GHRM MBA provided him with professional skills to work in the field of management and offered new opportunities to learn. While talking about his experience at GHRM MBA he says, “the whole experience was great and the program was very well integrated. I got the opportunity to work as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant during my study, which further helped me develop key skills”.  He further shares that he enjoyed his student life at the beautiful campus of NSYSU with the scenic ocean and mountains.

During his study, Lukasz took up an internship to gain professional experience, wherein he promoted products from Hongkong and even got the opportunity to visit Hongkong. He advises current students to take up new opportunities and internships to gain experience and identify their interests. He shares that sticking to what one feels like the right path is important even if there’s no clear goal in sight at the moment, as the experience will still teach you important skills needed for your future career. Lukasz is currently working in the field of economic diplomacy at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and is the head of the Taipei office. He provides support for polish exports to Taiwan and investments to Taiwan and Poland.

With over a decade in Taiwan, Lukasz shares Taiwan feels like home and he is still fascinated by the culture, people, music, and food of Taiwan, which is very different from his home country. He expresses his gratitude to NSYSU for giving him such a memorable experience and to the office of GHRM for always being supportive of its alumni.