RMIT is enabling business students to develop strong capabilities to think and act with a global mindset thanks to its 'Live-Local-Think-Global' initiative.
Developed over the last few years, the undergraduate course in Human Resource Management (HRM), delivered through the College of Business and Law's School of Management and The Business School in Vietnam, is a work integrated learning program that establishes strong links between two key experiential learning themes; a transcultural approach through cultural immersion, and an emotional approach through effective embodied experiences.
In Semester 1 of 2024, RMIT partnered with Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) to develop students' leadership management skills in a variety of contexts and settings, such as sports entertainment.
Students began with a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and had the opportunity to learn from industry during a Q&A session with MCC's People and Culture team. They then participated in an interactive group activity that allowed them to experience HRM challenges and effectively contribute to solving them.
RMIT's Senior Lecturer HR Management and Industrial Relations Dr Marco De Sisto said the tasks put to students were not easy and exposed them to a range of emotional challenges.
"Students were required to explain a company's issue and suggest a possible solution or intervention without using words, while at the same time working in a multicultural team," Dr De Sisto said.
"By leveraging RMIT's international focus and providing a safe space for students to share their own cultural insights, we are able to achieve a truly transcultural experience through sharing emotions and demonstrating respect among students and staff members."
Senior Learning and Teaching Specialist, Dr Ying Zhou said that the integrated approach to the initiative allows RMIT to combine industry engagement, transcultural immersion and emotional learning within one large course.
"Our ability to deliver this course across all locations that offers our Bachelor of Business really sets us apart from other HRM educators," Dr Zhou said.
"We now offer the 'Live-Local-Think-Global' initiative in Australia, Vietnam and Singapore, and we have enjoyed established partnerships with high-profile multi-nationals, including Ikea, Schneider Electric, and Adecco, to help our students learn to think globally while learning about their local business environment."
In 2023, the 'Live-Local-Think-Global' initiative won RMIT Vice-Chancellor's Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, and the cross-functional team looks forward to the innovative learning program continuing to make an impact on students, preparing them for their future careers as HRM professionals.
