OYAGSB strengthens global presence through participation in ICN, France International Week 2025

By Rozita Ramli

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 April 2025: The Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB) continues to expand its global academic presence through its recent participation in ICN International Week 2025, hosted by ICN Business School, France. Celebrating its 20th edition this year, the event welcomed 18 international academics from prestigious institutions worldwide, including a representative from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) – to deliver a transformative, multicultural learning experience.

Held across ICN’s Paris La Défense and Nancy campuses, the immersive program brought together 360 students from the school’s Bachelor’s and English Track programs. The week-long initiative was designed to foster international openness, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration through a series of interactive courses, team challenges, and real-world problem-solving activities.

Representing UUM at this global platform, Dr. Gunalan Nadarajah of OYAGSB joined academic peers from the United States, Canada, Ireland, England, Japan, and Morocco. He delivered a module titled “Strategic Intrapreneurship for Operational Excellence.” The module focused on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset within established organizations, emphasizing how innovation and creative problem-solving can enhance operational efficiency, agility, and continuous improvement. Through case studies discussions, hands-on activities, and strategic frameworks, students explored how to drive change and innovation from within, regardless of their role in the organizational hierarchy.

“Participating in ICN International Week reflects OYAGSB’s commitment to internationalization and knowledge exchange. It was truly inspiring to witness students from different parts of the world work together creatively to tackle global challenges,” said Dr. Gunalan.

This year’s newly restructured edition placed greater emphasis on hands-on learning, challenging students to develop innovative solutions to contemporary global issues. Key themes included climate awareness, the future of work, intergenerational collaboration, and managing cultural diversity in teams. Working in diverse, international groups, students received guidance from international academics, equipping them with essential skills for navigating today’s interconnected workforce.

OYAGSB’s participation in ICN International Week 2025 underscores the School’s commitment to advancing academic internationalization and global engagement among its faculty members. The initiative supports UUM’s strategic focus on fostering cross-border academic collaboration, enriching the teaching and learning experience, and strengthening its global academic reputation.