Singapore University of Social Sciences

Business Skills Amongst Communities in Vientiane

Business Skills Amongst Communities in Vientiane (OEL317)

Synopsis

The main objective of OEL317 is to provide students with the conceptual tools and learning experiences to develop a deeper understanding of how business skills can be developed amongst various Lao communities. This objective will be achieved through a combination of team-based experiential learning, e-learning, classroom activities, and participation in an overseas trip to Vientiane, Laos. In Singaporean tertiary institutions, students are highly encouraged to apply their values, knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the community as socially responsible citizens. The practice of responsible citizenry in other countries has also grown in importance, because of unequal development that results from participating in global capitalism. As Laos attempts to modernise itself through encouraging its people to partake in non-traditional economic activities, it faces obstacles not only in improving the business skills of various Lao communities, but also in ensuring that they contribute to the progress of the nation. This course urges students to critically reflect on the balance between upgrading the business skillsets of citizens and the well-being of the nations the latter belong to. This includes addressing responsible citizenry globally, as well as corporate social responsibilities locally. Using their knowledge and skills in their business major disciplines to contribute in community-based projects in Laos and Singapore respectively, students will be able to reflect on the individual’s contribution to the commercial viability of their selected organisations, and analyse opportunities and challenges in exercising responsibility towards others in society.

Level: 3
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every July

Topics

  • Experiential learning
  • Key historical, cultural and political contexts in Laos
  • Opportunities and challenges in improving business skills in Laos, and how the cultural, religious, social and economic factors shape the cultivation of responsible citizenry in the country
  • Opportunities and challenges in facing improving business skills in Singapore, and how the cultural, religious, social and economic factors shape the cultivation of responsible citizenry in the country
  • Preparation and design of the overseas experiential learning project: service-learning activities, liaising with local community partner(s), safety and emergency response, cultural sensitivity
  • Preparation and design of the local experiential learning project: service-learning activities, liaising with local community partner(s), safety and emergency response

Learning Outcome

  • Identify the opportunities and challenges in improving business skills amongst Lao communities
  • Examine the factors influencing the practice of responsible citizenry in Laos
  • Explain the roles of governments, communities (local and international) and businesses in enhancing business skills and cultivating responsible citizenry
  • Apply social scientific perspectives to relate the enhancement of business skills to responsible citizenry
  • Analyse how firms can enhance credit worthiness and shareholder value creation by implementing appropriate business and financial strategies
  • Deconstruct preconceptions about Laos and its approach towards improving business skills and achieving responsible citizenry
  • Construct new approaches to address the challenges in improving business skills and cultivating responsible citizenry in Laos and in Singapore that considers the native contexts
  • Examine how the assumptions behind new approaches shape the way selected issues are addressed
  • Verify new approaches with stakeholders
  • Appraise team members’ roles and responsibilities in shaping team-based experiential learning
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