By AIT Public Affairs
Four Master’s students from the School of Management (SOM) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)—Neha Dahal, Utkarsh Poudel, Hem Raj Bhatta, and Abhinash Uprety—had the incredible opportunity to participate in the 2024 Industrial LINCage Festival for Global Leaders (Global Festival 2024) in Seoul, South Korea, from August 4 to 15, 2024. Here, they share their experience:
In the heart of Seoul, where tradition seamlessly blends with innovation, the four of us embarked on a journey that reshaped our understanding of global leadership and sustainable development. The 2024 Industrial LINCage Festival for Global Leaders offered us a platform for growth, learning, and networking.
The festival, aligned with the Seoul Vision 2030, aimed to transform Seoul into a globally competitive, sustainable smart city that fosters fairness, opportunities, and well-being for all citizens. Through leadership development training, industry immersion, and youth symposiums, participants acquired essential skills, exchanged knowledge, and built global networks to contribute to Seoul’s future as a global economic hub and a youth-friendly city.
From the moment we arrived at Hanyang University, we were immersed in a variety of activities, including design thinking and project management. Collaborating with 300 young leaders from around the world, each with their unique cultural insights and fresh ideas, was a highlight of our experience.
The festival’s theme, “Seoul! Be Home For Our Soul,” deeply resonated with AIT’s commitment to promoting sustainability. As we navigated through the Leadership Development Training, we were both challenged and inspired. Workshops on human-centered design and project management introduced us to new problem-solving approaches, equipping us with the tools to tackle real-world issues. The Industry Immersion phase brought theory to life as we visited innovative companies, witnessing firsthand how Seoul’s vision for 2030 is becoming a reality.
The International Youth Day Conference was a defining moment for us. Listening to esteemed professionals like former Philippine Vice President Atty. Maria Leonor Robredo, Dr. Aida Karazhanova, the Economic Affairs Officer in the ICT and Development Section of UNESCAP and UN officials was incredibly inspiring. Her insightful contributions, especially during the fireside chat on digital pathways for sustainable development, sparked passionate discussions and underscored the global impact of education and networking.
Throughout the festival, cultural exchanges added vibrant colors to our experience. From savoring local Korean cuisine to participating in the lively cultural night, we forged friendships that transcended borders, creating a global network that will last a lifetime.
Our journey at Global Festival 2024 was more than just an event – it was a catalyst for change, a foundation for innovation, and a testament to the power of youth in shaping a sustainable future. As we prepare to share our experiences with friends back at AIT, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning of our global leadership journey, inspired by global leaders.
Participant Reflections:
Neha Dahal Being a facilitator pushed me far out of my comfort zone. I was guiding discussions between people whose cultures I had only read about. It compelled me to constantly adapt my communication skills and broaden my worldview in ways I never expected. By the end of the program, I felt like a global citizen!
Utkarsh Poudel Working with a diverse team to develop a chatbot for detecting call phishing and scams opened my eyes to the power of cross-cultural collaboration in tackling global issues like cybersecurity. This experience was a testament to how diverse minds can outsmart global threats. It was a bit challenging but incredibly rewarding to me.
Hem Raj Bhatta Having the chance to attend the Global Festival 2024 in Seoul was truly enriching. I was part of a diverse team responsible for creating a marketing strategy for mpWave’s ClearSense Audio, a cutting-edge app designed to improve hearing in noisy environments. Collaborating with individuals from different cultural backgrounds taught me to take into account various markets and cultural nuances, which made the project more challenging but also more rewarding. I also had the exciting opportunity to present our strategy to the judges and professors. All in all, it was an incredibly fulfilling experience.
Abhinash Uprety Collaborating on an AI system for air quality monitoring via CCTV showed me how diverse teams can use technology to address important environmental issues. Working with my diverse team to help people breathe easier halfway across the world made me truly understand the meaning of ‘think globally, act locally.
