Inaugural MBA Symposium for MBA Singapore students
The inaugural MBA Symposium was held for students studying the MBA Singapore programme on 15th November.
The Singapore Master of Business Administration (MBA) Symposium, a flagship event of the University of Birmingham, brought together current students, alumni, prospective candidates, faculty, and industry leaders to examine the future of business through the lens of responsible leadership.
This year’s theme, “Responsible Leadership in Uncertain Times,” offered powerful insights into navigating change and leading with impact. The event opened with a keynote address by Professor Edgar Meyer, Dean of Birmingham Business School, who emphasised the importance of ethical decision-making and adaptability in today’s volatile global environment.
A highlight of the Symposium was an expert panel discussion, where Ms Sara Yik, Chief Human Capital Officer at SIM Group Limited, joined Professor Edgar Meyer and Professor Abhinav Goyal, Chair in Finance and Director of Global Engagement at Birmingham Business School, to share their perspectives on developing resilience, inclusivity, and innovation in leadership roles. Their discussion bridged academic theory with practical industry insights, offering attendees actionable strategies for leading responsibly in uncertain times.
Participants also engaged in interactive breakout workshops, designed to translate classroom learning into real-world leadership challenges. These sessions provided hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and practical tools to strengthen leadership capabilities.
I left this year’s Singapore MBA Symposium deeply encouraged by the calibre of dialogue, the intellectual energy in the room, and the genuine commitment to shaping responsible leaders for an increasingly uncertain world. What I found particularly inspiring were the breakout workshops. These sessions created space for participants to wrestle with real-world leadership dilemmas, apply their learning, and engage with peers in reflective and practical ways.