International Immersions Expose Students to a Wealth of Knowledge and Technological Innovations

“It was an enriching two weeks of the international immersion programme in Singapore and Malaysia, countries that play a crucial role in the global economy due to their strategic location and strong trade presence”, says Tanishq Gajjar, Integrated MBA Class of 2025.

Students of the Amrut Mody School of Management at Ahmedabad University visited Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai as part of the global immersion programme, an integral component of the University’s pedagogy. Through these immersions, students learnt about innovative practices, cultural parallels, new technologies, and ways of incorporating them into businesses. In addition, they gained insights on the country's economy, arts and culture, as well as the energy conservation techniques and technological advancements taking place in the country, among other things.

In Singapore, students visited the Red Dot Design Museum to learn how innovation can address consumer pain points. They also visited the Chinese Cultural Centre to understand the distinct characteristics of both Chinese and Indian cultures; the Fort Canning Park to explore ancient artifacts and colonial remnants; and the Maritime Gallery, which offered them insights into Singapore's evolution as a global maritime hub following advancements in maritime technology.

During their visit to the Urban Redevelopment Authority at the Singapore City Gallery, students got a peek into Singapore's development plans and future proposals. They learnt about Singapore's pre- and post-war history through an interactive museum experience at the Former Ford Factory. They also gained knowledge about Singapore's water security strategy during their visit to the NEWater plant, launched in 2003.

The students’ stay in Malaysia allowed them to explore the vibrant streets of the capital Kuala Lumpur while gaining insights into the country's economic and welfare schemes. Their visits to Negara Bank, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation exposed them to a wealth of information about Malaysia's monetary system, microfinancing schemes for women's empowerment, and other schemes. The other locations in their itinerary in Malaysia included the world's largest family-owned textile retail outlet, Jakel Retail, Jadi Batek, where they tried their hand at the traditional art of Batik making, the University of Malaya, which gave them a glimpse of the country’s educational ecosystem, and the Benns Ethicoa Bean to Bar Chocolate factory, where they indulged in the chocolate-making process, ranging from sourcing of cocoa beans to creating the final delicious products.

The major takeaway from the students’ immersion trip to Dubai was the hands-on knowledge they gained on implementation of sustainable practices and innovation in urban planning to create successful business models. Further, they got the opportunity to understand local cultural and sustainable business ideologies through their visits to several locations in Dubai and Sharjah, including The Vine Communities, Masdar City, and Expo City. They also witnessed advancements in solar energy at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, use of innovative space technologies at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and unique business and expansion strategies of Intercoil HQ.

As part of their visit to Dubai, the students learnt about the Dubai International Financial Centre’s support for startups, projects on algae biofuels and AI data feeding at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and the role of venture capital in business growth at the Dubai Technology and Entrepreneurship Campus. In addition, they witnessed innovative transportation ideas and cutting-edge developments in finance and technology during their respective visits to Unitsky String Technologies and Nasdaq in Dubai.

Apart from the visits to multiple sites of learning in the selected destinations, the immersions also provided students the opportunity to participate in various workshops, expert sessions, industry interactions, and diverse projects to identify real-life challenges and suggest viable solutions.