In the heart of Northern Europe lies Helsinki, a city that transcends traditional norms and embraces a fusion of culture and innovation. Helsinki, ranked at an impressive 6th place in the Global Smart Cities Index and renowned for its strong innovative start-up ecosystem, sets a captivating backdrop for the Aalto University Digital Business Master Class (DBMC) programme.
 From Left to Right: Alex, Changzhong, and Darren |
During the June 2023 term break, we embarked on a transformative journey through the Aalto University Digital Business Master Class (DBMC) programme at Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland. Our experience was nothing short of remarkable, as we immersed ourselves in a world of digital business exploration, cross-cultural collaboration, and unforgettable memories.
Offered as one of the numerous overseas exposure programmes for the SMU Master of IT in Business (MITB) students, the DBMC programme was an interactive and fast-paced graduate-level course focusing on digital technologies as tools for building businesses. It offered a blend of theoretical insights and hands-on application, striking a harmonious balance between cutting-edge management concepts and real-world business challenges. We attended lectures that delved into topics like AI Ethics, Sustainability, and Digital Leadership, providing us with profound insights into the evolving business landscape.
What truly set the DBMC apart was its emphasis on practicality. We had the opportunity to learn and experience digital business solutioning with both start-ups and established companies. We were involved in the full works crafting unique business proposals with these companies from conducting extensive background research and face-to-face interviews, going on on-site company visits and pitching our business ideas. This challenge-based learning approach allowed us to apply digital business concepts in a tangible context. The pre-course exercise prior to our trip was also proven useful in our preparation. This included viewing introductory videos, conducting independent research, project presentations, final report, and course reflection.
The DBMC cohort boasted a diverse array of nationalities, including participants from China, Japan, Australia, Africa, Argentina, the US, and various European countries. This rich tapestry of backgrounds further enriched our learning journey, especially in group projects. We were grouped based on our interests, fostering an environment where we learned from one another's diverse experiences while we approached business challenges from multiple perspectives. There were renowned practitioners and professors guiding us throughout the programme, imparting insights on various facets of digital businesses. The culmination of our efforts was a presentation and report that showcased our solutions to actual companies.
 A DBMC group presenting their business solutions to their fellow course mates and representatives of participating companies |
The SMU MITB team provided essential pre-trip course materials to ensure that we were prepared for the trip. Tracy from the SMU MITB office deserves special mention for her invaluable help in coordinating our group, which helped us greatly in planning our accommodation and travel itinerary.
Aalto University also provided ample support to the participants. They offered timely communication and organized engaging social programmes to foster cultural immersion and interaction with other participants. The Aalto administrators went the extra mile to facilitate additional interactions with case companies and project mates which was necessary in gathering more information to work on our business proposals.
In conclusion, our journey through Aalto University's Digital Business Master Class programme had left an indelible mark on us, driving us to embrace digital frontiers with newfound fervor. As we return to our SMU community, we carry with us the lessons, memories, and connections that will shape our future endeavors.
We wholeheartedly recommend fellow SMU students to seize similar exchange opportunities. The fusion of cultural immersion, international exposure, and boundary-pushing learning promises an experience that will shape your perspectives and propel your growth. We would like to express our gratitude to SMU and the MITB staff for providing these transformative opportunities!
