SMU–MBA Chula Joint Elective Course 2026
The SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 officially kicked off in Singapore, bringing together MBA students from Singapore Management University (SMU) and Chulalongkorn Business School (MBA Chula) for an exciting week of learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange from 3–7 August 2026.
This year’s theme, Corporate Innovation and Digital Technology, explores how organizations can innovate and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
We were honored to begin the program with a warm welcome from Professor Burak Oc, MBA Director at SMU.
The first session was led by Professor Mark Chong, who engaged students in a series of interactive exercises on Corporate Narratives for Asia. Through hands-on activities, students learned how to craft compelling narratives for themselves and their organizations, highlighting the power of storytelling in business.
In the afternoon, Professor Ser Keng Ang delivered an insightful lecture on The Business & Economic Landscape of Singapore & ASEAN: Key Challenges & Opportunities. Students explored how different economies across the region have evolved while identifying emerging challenges and future opportunities for businesses.
Learning continued beyond the classroom as students from both universities were mixed into international teams. Each group was tasked with selecting one Singaporean company and one Thai company to compare and contrast their business strategies, setting the stage for cross-border collaboration throughout the week.
The first day concluded with a networking event, providing students with the opportunity to connect, exchange perspectives, and build lasting friendships beyond the classroom.
We look forward to an inspiring week of learning, innovation, and collaboration between SMU MBA and MBA Chula!
The second day of the SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 continued with engaging discussions, hands-on learning, and inspiring ideas centered on Corporate Innovation and Digital Technology.
The day began with SMU–Chula group presentations, where students applied concepts from the first day to compare and contrast two companies—one from Singapore and one from Thailand. Through their analyses, students examined different industries, business environments, and strategic approaches while gaining a deeper understanding of how organizations operate across different markets.
Next, Professor Shantanu Bhattacharya from SMU led an interactive session on Managing the Firm to Be More Innovative. Through a series of hands-on exercises, students were challenged to think creatively, collaborate with their teammates, and explore practical approaches to fostering innovation within organizations. The highly interactive session encouraged participants to step outside their comfort zones and develop an innovation mindset.
In the afternoon, Asst. Prof. Pattharin Tangwaragorn from Chulalongkorn Business School expanded the discussion with a session on Crafting Innovation Strategies. Students explored multiple types of innovation and innovation modes, learning how organizations can combine different approaches to create competitive advantages. Drawing on examples and case studies from Thailand and around the world, the session demonstrated that successful innovation extends beyond technology—it also involves rethinking business models, customer experiences, processes, and organizational capabilities.
Day 2 concluded with students gaining a richer understanding of how innovation can be strategically designed and managed, equipping them with practical frameworks to develop innovative solutions for real-world business challenges.
Day 3 of the SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 focused on how organizations can leverage digital transformation and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and long-term business growth.
The day began with SMU–Chula group presentations, where students proposed innovation strategies for companies to strengthen their competitive advantage and accelerate business growth. Building on the concepts learned throughout the week, each team presented practical recommendations by integrating innovation frameworks with real-world business challenges.
The morning session was led by Asst. Prof. Pattharin Tangwaragorn from Chulalongkorn Business School, who explored the topic Digital Transformation in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges. Through a variety of case studies from across the region, students examined the key drivers of digital transformation, identified common organizational barriers, and developed strategies to overcome these inhibitors. The discussions highlighted that successful digital transformation requires not only technology adoption but also leadership, organizational change, and a clear strategic vision.
In the afternoon, Prof. Tan Choon Ngee from Singapore Management University delivered an engaging session on Leveraging AI for Innovation and Business Transformation Strategy. Through lectures and interactive exercises, students explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping business models, enabling innovation, and creating new opportunities across industries. The session encouraged students to think strategically about how AI can be integrated into organizations to create sustainable business value.
As the program progresses, students continue to strengthen their analytical thinking, strategic decision-making, and cross-cultural collaboration while preparing to lead innovation in an increasingly digital world.
Day 4 of the SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 brought together strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship through experiential learning and thought-provoking discussions.
The day began with a Simulation Exercise: Real-World Product Introduction and Marketing, led by Asst. Prof. Pattharin Tangwaragorn from Chulalongkorn Business School. Working in mixed teams of SMU and MBA Chula students, participants applied the concepts and frameworks they had learned throughout the week to develop strategies for introducing a new product to the market.
Throughout the simulation, students collaborated to analyze market opportunities, exchange diverse perspectives, and formulate innovative business and marketing strategies. The exercise encouraged participants to think critically, broaden their perspectives, and integrate knowledge from previous sessions into practical decision-making. It also reinforced the value of teamwork and cross-cultural collaboration in solving real-world business challenges.
In the afternoon, Professor Sze Tiam Lin from the SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship delivered an eye-opening session on Turning Digital Innovation into Business Value: IP Commercialization and Open Innovation in Singapore and ASEAN. Students explored how organizations can transform innovative ideas into commercial success through intellectual property (IP) management, technology commercialization, and open innovation. The session also highlighted the importance of collaboration among businesses, universities, startups, and government agencies in fostering vibrant innovation ecosystems across Singapore and ASEAN.
As the week draws closer to its conclusion, students continue to connect theory with practice while gaining valuable insights into how innovation can be transformed into sustainable business value.
The final day of the SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 brought an inspiring week of learning, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange to a close.
The day began with final group presentations, where mixed teams of SMU MBA and MBA Chula students reflected on the strategies they developed and implemented during the simulation exercise. Each team shared what worked, how it worked, what did not work, and why, turning their simulation experience into valuable lessons for real-world business decision-making.
Throughout their presentations, students successfully integrated their prior MBA knowledge with the concepts they had learned during the week, particularly in innovation, digital transformation, and business strategy. More importantly, they demonstrated how different perspectives and experiences could be brought together to analyze challenges, make strategic decisions, and learn from both successes and setbacks.
The program concluded with Asst. Prof. Pattharin Tangwaragorn from Chulalongkorn Business School, who led the simulation debrief and wrapped up the week by connecting the key lessons and experiences from across the program.
Over five intensive days, the SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 went far beyond classroom learning. It provided a platform for students from both universities to learn together, collaborate, exchange ideas, challenge one another’s perspectives, and build meaningful connections.
From corporate innovation and the ASEAN business landscape to digital transformation, AI, open innovation, and real-world simulation, students had the opportunity to connect theory with practice while learning from faculty members and, just as importantly, from one another.
The classes may have ended, but we hope the knowledge, friendships, and connections built throughout this week will continue well beyond the classroom.
Thank you to everyone who made the SMU–Chula Joint Elective Course 2026 such a memorable and rewarding experience!
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