Our university's Southeast Asian Regional Management Master's Program held an online international practical forum titled "From National Cultural Differences to Cross-Cultural Adaptation - An Intercultural Journey of International Talent Development" on April 22, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We were honored to have Professor Hool Carol Lai-Wan, currently a distinguished professor at the College of Management, Chang Jung Christian University, Malaysia, as well as several alumni from the Southeast Asian Regional Management Master's Program, share their cross-cultural experiences.

Prior to the commencement of the talks, opening remarks were given by President Chen Ching-Ho of our university and President Lin Li-Chan of the National Immigrant Association. President Lin Li-Chan, originally from Cambodia, shared her rich cross-cultural adaptation experiences and highlighted the significance of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary talents as key human resources sought by both countries and corporations in the face of impending changes. President Chen further emphasized the importance of cultivating talents, as Taiwan and Taiwanese businesses struggle to retain talents due to policy limitations. Our Southeast Asian Regional Management Master's Program, being the first Chinese-language MBA program mainly admitting foreign students, aims to cultivate international talents needed by 300,000 Taiwanese businesses in Southeast Asian countries, thus contributing to the required cross-domain talents for Taiwan's southward expansion. Several graduates have secured full-time job offers from Taiwan Financial Holding Group even before receiving their graduation certificates, making them crucial talents for the expansion and establishment of Taiwanese businesses in Southeast Asian markets.

In the morning session, Professor Hool Carol Lai-Wan delivered her keynote speech in English, sharing her experiences of residing in multiple countries, adapting to social and cultural shocks, and the negative impact of inadequate language communication. She introduced the "Read Up" approach of collecting information about the culture, understanding local etiquettes and workplace survival rules, and the subsequent "Power Up" strategy involving mindset transformation and boosting self-confidence through showcasing charming smiles. This journey also includes incorporating regular exercise and dietary habits into daily life to calm the restless mind and reduce stress.

In the afternoon, exceptional alumni of the Southeast Asian Regional Management Master's Program shared their working experiences in different countries and compared them with Taiwan's unique aspects. For instance, Thai alumna Chen Shu-Zhi, Vietnamese alumni Wu Lin, Le Minh Thanh, and Yang Huang-Ying, as well as Malaysian alumna Cheng Zhi-Fen, shared insights into their careers and emphasized the adaptability required in Singaporean workplaces. They stressed that adaptation is a daily task in the battlefield of Singaporean employment, where survival belongs to the fittest and strongest. In order to overcome challenges and achieve great accomplishments, understanding personal strengths and positioning oneself in the competitive landscape is essential. Through these experiences of adapting to different cultures, the participants felt as if they were personally on a journey of multicultural adaptation. Despite the pandemic, the online cross-cultural forum attracted over 130 participants, demonstrating its popularity. Interaction between speakers and participants was lively, and the atmosphere was engaging, making the event quite enjoyable. Engaging in these talks enhances participants' multicultural awareness and international perspective, fostering tolerance and care for people from diverse cultural backgrounds. We eagerly anticipate more cultural lecture events organized by the ASEAN Human Resources Education Center. Stay tuned to the center's Facebook page for updates!