On 18 May 2026, SolBridge International School of Business had the privilege of welcoming Professor Vanessa Chang, a distinguished academic leader and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Business and law of Curtin University, Australia, for a thought-provoking special lecture titled “Local Identity, Global Influence: Culture, AI, and the Enduring Power of Business Education”.

Professor Chang, a globally respected scholar with experience spanning across Western Australia, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, and beyond, brought a unique perspective on how local cultural identity and global academic leadership intersect.

Three Forces Shaping the Future

Framing the lecture around the convergence of three interconnected forces, Culture and Context, Technology and AI, and the evolving Purpose of Business Education, Professor Chang challenged students to rethink their role as future leaders. She emphasized that AI is not merely a tool, but a transformative force reshaping industries. Consequently, she argued that business education must urgently redefine its purpose to focus on uniquely human faculties such as judgment, ethics, and critical thinking skills that AI cannot replicate.

Leveraging Cultural Heritage as a Strategic Asset

A core highlight of the session was Professor Chang’s analysis of Korea’s rise as a global cultural and economic powerhouse. Using compelling case studies like HYBE & BTS, Samsung, Kakao, and Olive Young, she illustrated how these entities succeeded by embracing their Korean roots rather than abandoning them. Her message to the diverse student body at SolBridge was clear: cultural heritage is not a limitation, but a competitive advantage.

A Lasting Invitation

Closing the lecture, Professor Chang issued a direct challenge to the students: in an era of algorithms, their true advantage lies in their judgment, values, and the ability to lead with authenticity. She reminded the audience that leaders who can bring clarity of identity into global contexts are exactly what the world needs to drive sustainable development.

SolBridge extends its sincere gratitude to Professor Vanessa Chang for an intellectually stimulating and inspiring visit. This event underscores SolBridge’s ongoing commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by providing students with global insights that prepare them to shape a better tomorrow.