By Dr Voon Mung Ling
I MMERSE yourself in a unique fusion of academic rigour, inventive creativity, and transformative leadership. Swinburne University of Technology’s Faculty of Business, Design, and Arts proudly presents its first-of-its-kind, thought provoking editorial column.
This pioneering initiative embodies the kaleidoscope of learning, ingenuity, and thought leadership characterising our vibrant academic community. Nestled within the University, the Faculty—comprising the distinguished School of Business and the eminent School of Design and Arts—serves as the pulsating core of this novel endeavour. Under the distinguished leadership of our Faculty Dean, Professor Brian Wong Kee Mun, this column functions as an invaluable educational conduit. It offers a unique forum for our consultants to share their extensive expertise and engendered enthusiasm to practicalise academic disciplines they are deeply invested in.
Our consulting community represents a harmonious blend of commercial savvy, avant-garde design sensibilities, and artistic eloquence, igniting an alchemy of wisdom and creativity.
As Professor Wong succinctly puts it, “Sarawak has so much knowledge to offer, from business, entrepreneurship, and media, to culture, arts, and design. It is indeed timely for the faculty members to contribute their insights and expertise from the new Global South perspective to the rest of the world.” In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the interplay between business, design, and the arts takes on a monumental significance.
This symbiosis promises to unveil novel viewpoints, innovative solutions, and a deeper understanding of the complex mosaic that forms our contemporary existence. Central to the realisation of this visionary endeavour is the inauguration of a weekly editorial column to be prominently featured in the respected New Sarawak Tribune.
Steered by the scholarly insights and subject-matter expertise of our distinguished faculty, this thought provoking initiative is designed to serve as a practical lighthouse, guiding public discourse through the exploration of four cornerstone themes: Technology and Innovation, Sustainability, Global and Diversity, and Entrepreneurship. Each of these themes has been meticulously curated to echo the broader vision and strategic imperatives of Swinburne University of Technology and the State.
They are not merely topics for discussion but focal points that reflect the multidisciplinary prowess of the industries we have. Within the theme of Technology and Innovation, for instance, we will explore disruptive technologies, emerging business models, and design methodologies that are setting the tempo for the new normal marketplace. In tackling Sustainability, the column will offer comprehensive perspectives on environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and the economic models that underpin sustainable futures. In the Global and Diversity section, you’ll find a comprehensive collection of thought-provoking articles.
These pieces deeply explore the complex relationships between cultural influences, diverse workforces, ethical business conduct, and the international rules that shape our global community. When it comes to Entrepreneurship, we offer a detailed examination of the entire business journey, from its initial concept to market entry.
This analysis aims to uncover the key elements that contribute to both extraordinary successes and valuable lessons learned. Essentially, the column’s overarching goal is to cultivate essential traits like boundless enthusiasm, creative problemsolving, and smart risk-taking.
We achieve this by encouraging everyone to think beyond traditional boundaries, hone their business skills, and transform entrepreneurial visions into impactful actions. In doing so, each theme will be approached through a kaleidoscopic lens that brings in viewpoints from varied disciplines — be it business strategy, product design, artistic theory, or the sociocultural elements that weave these domains together.
This multi-faceted approach ensures that every instalment of our column will offer readers nuanced and multidimensional insights into the urgent questions and exciting possibilities that define our era. From scrutinising the nuances of contemporary business strategies to delving into the transformative role of design in shaping user experiences, and from examining the social and cultural implications of the arts to probing the symbiosis between commerce and culture, this column is designed to offer an intellectually stimulating array of insights and inspirations.
We are dedicated to initiating meaningful interactions with the general public and key players in the industry, fostering new and vibrant conversations that go beyond traditional academic boundaries. Our goal is to stimulate innovative collaborations that bridge diverse perspectives and contribute to advancing knowledge and solutions. Join us on this exhilarating odyssey of discovery, enlightenment, and innovation.
Welcome to the Faculty of Business, Design, and Arts Column — a visionary initiative set to redefine the paradigms of education, creativity, and thought leadership, as stipulated in Swinburne’s Vision: People and technology working together to build a better world.
