Cultural Competence: Building Bridges to Success

In the global economy, the ability to work effectively with others of all cultures has never been more important for individuals and organisations.

Employees who possess a high level of cultural competence have a competitive edge, playing a critical role in building bridges across groups within an organisation, educating their peers about different cultures, and transferring knowledge between different groups. Cultural competence transcends being merely a desirable skill; it is an essential leadership skill that is highly prized by organisations.

Join this workshop and learn how to be a cultural connector who can build connections, foster collaboration and drive innovation in a multicultural workforce.

Developed by researchers from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), this workshop is packed with immersive activities and real-world scenarios that will enable you to navigate cultural differences with confidence. You will leave the workshop with actionable strategies for enhancing your own cultural competence and building inclusion at both university and in the workplace.

In this session you will:

• Discover your unconscious biases and how these affect your behaviours and attitudes
• Learn how to navigate situations with cultural sensitivity
  Acquire skills to be an ally of social cohesion at both university and in professional settings
• Learn how to adapt your communication style when collaborating with diverse groups, building meaningful connections across cultures

This workshop is part of the Institute of Policy Studies Programme on Race, Religion and Intergroup Cohesion (RRIC) aimed at promoting awareness, knowledge and competence in discussing, managing, and promoting race, religion, and intergroup cohesion.

Students will receive a certificate of completion after attending this session. Light refreshments will be provided.

Spaces are limited for this session. Non-Business School students and undergraduate students are given priority. For any Business School students interested to register, please register for the waiting list. For any postgraduate student interested to attend, please register for the waiting list.

Speakers

Shamil Zainuddin
Research Associate, IPS Social Lab, Institute of Policy Studies

Shamil Zainuddin is Research Associate at IPS Social Lab at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). He specialises in applied ethnography and holds qualifications in Sociology which he has taught as a Teaching Assistant while completing his Masters in the National University of Singapore. 

Prior to joining IPS in 2018, he was a Senior Design Ethnographer at NCR Corporation, a global enterprise technology company. There, he spent five years using qualitative methods researching human experiences to inform R&D, innovation and marketing. 

Shamil has received awards for applied ethnographic work and is the recipient of the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Day Award in 2005.

Above all, Shamil is most interested in carrying out the work to make the everyday easier for especially disadvantaged communities.

Sophy Tio
Research Associate, IPS Social Lab, Institute of Policy Studies

Sophy Tio is a qualitative researcher who is currently a Research Associate at IPS Social Lab in the Institute of Policy Studies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in South Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore, where she was recognised for her academic excellence with the Rahabali Jumabhoy Foundation Prize and the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Performance Prize. Sophy went on to earn her Masters of Arts in Transcultural Studies with a focus on visual and media culture from the Heidelberg Center of Transcultural Studies, Germany.

Sophy's research interests lie in cultural diplomacy, transculturality, race, and immigration, particularly the diasporic movement of Indian communities. Her current work focuses on Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equity in Singapore, investigating the landscape of racism in Singapore and exploring ways to address it. She is passionate about facilitating conversations around these issues and bringing about positive change.

Before joining IPS, Sophy spent five years working with various cultural institutions, including the Singapore Art Museum, Goethe-Institute Singapore, and non-profit arts and cultural organizations. She strongly believes that arts is a bridge to creating empathy and a more cohesive society. Sophy is a researcher who is committed to using her skills and expertise to make a positive impact in the world.