Bridging Cross-Disciplinary Talents with the Global Market: IMES Hosts Corporate Mentor Night to Shape a Sustainable Future
Date :
2026-06-09
Department :
International Master’s Program of Applied Economics and Social Development
【Article by IMES】
The International Master’s Program in Applied Economics and Social Development (IMES) at the College of Social Sciences hosted its highly anticipated "Corporate Mentor Night" on the evening of June 3. Held at Match Kitchen on the second floor of the Administration Building, the event brought together senior executives from various industries, providing a rare opportunity for IMES students to engage in face-to-face dialogue with industry leaders. The gathering aimed to help students grasp the latest workplace trends, understand corporate talent requirements, and strategically enhance their core competitiveness early in their careers.
As a program fully taught in English, IMES has long been dedicated to cross-disciplinary training focused on data analysis and social innovation, paving the way for diverse career trajectories. For this event, the Program Director personally invited ten mid-to-senior level executives from distinct industries and specialized sectors to serve as volunteer corporate mentors. The stellar lineup represented globally renowned multinational corporations and institutions, including KPMG, Deloitte, DBS Bank, Cathay United Financial Holding, Wistron, Coach, Shopee, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). Their expertise spanned sustainability consulting, social innovation, international tax planning, data analytics, digital marketing, venture capital, human resources, e-commerce, project management, and management consulting. Throughout the evening, mentors spoke highly of the IMES students' exceptional language skills, innovative thinking, and cross-disciplinary proficiency, while expressing how impressed they were by the students' proactivity and vibrant energy.
The event was spearheaded by Student Council President Zoe Weaver, from the United States, who kicked off the evening by inviting each mentor to share their industry insights and career journeys. Notably, the HR executive from Cathay United Financial Holding praised the outstanding internship performance of three Vietnamese students from the IMES program, expressing a keen anticipation of welcoming more talented Vietnamese students to their team in the future.
Following the introductions, the host gave a special floor to the most seasoned mentor present, Dr. Niven Huang, Managing Director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting Co., Ltd., to deliver words of encouragement to the graduates. Dr. Huang emphasized that "sustainability" is the most critical and defining issue of our time, encouraging graduates to boldly contribute their talents to this field. He further pointed out that among the three pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), the "Social (S)" indicator remains relatively underdeveloped, creating an urgent need for passionate, cross-disciplinary youth. Representing the faculty, Professor Alicia Say raised a toast to offer heartfelt blessings to the graduates and express sincere gratitude to the corporate mentors for their selfless dedication. During the open networking session, students eagerly seized the opportunity to seek career advice from representatives of their dream industries, sparking lively and enthusiastic interactions.
Now entering its 11th year, the IMES program boasts an alumni network that spans the globe and multiple industries. To align with future global trends, the program continuously enriches its curriculum to cultivate students' capabilities in data analysis, digital applications, and innovative thinking. To bolster international mobility, IMES not only establishes robust academic networks with prestigious global universities but also actively builds strong industrial ties with multinational corporations. The resounding success of this "Corporate Mentor Night" not only showcased the uniqueness and high caliber of IMES students to the business sector, but also broadened the career horizons for both domestic and international students, instilling them with the confidence to embrace future workplace challenges. Looking forward to its next decade, IMES remains committed to attracting top-tier youth worldwide and nurturing them into the global leaders of tomorrow.
The International Master’s Program in Applied Economics and Social Development (IMES) at the College of Social Sciences hosted its highly anticipated "Corporate Mentor Night" on the evening of June 3. Held at Match Kitchen on the second floor of the Administration Building, the event brought together senior executives from various industries, providing a rare opportunity for IMES students to engage in face-to-face dialogue with industry leaders. The gathering aimed to help students grasp the latest workplace trends, understand corporate talent requirements, and strategically enhance their core competitiveness early in their careers.
As a program fully taught in English, IMES has long been dedicated to cross-disciplinary training focused on data analysis and social innovation, paving the way for diverse career trajectories. For this event, the Program Director personally invited ten mid-to-senior level executives from distinct industries and specialized sectors to serve as volunteer corporate mentors. The stellar lineup represented globally renowned multinational corporations and institutions, including KPMG, Deloitte, DBS Bank, Cathay United Financial Holding, Wistron, Coach, Shopee, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). Their expertise spanned sustainability consulting, social innovation, international tax planning, data analytics, digital marketing, venture capital, human resources, e-commerce, project management, and management consulting. Throughout the evening, mentors spoke highly of the IMES students' exceptional language skills, innovative thinking, and cross-disciplinary proficiency, while expressing how impressed they were by the students' proactivity and vibrant energy.
The event was spearheaded by Student Council President Zoe Weaver, from the United States, who kicked off the evening by inviting each mentor to share their industry insights and career journeys. Notably, the HR executive from Cathay United Financial Holding praised the outstanding internship performance of three Vietnamese students from the IMES program, expressing a keen anticipation of welcoming more talented Vietnamese students to their team in the future.
Following the introductions, the host gave a special floor to the most seasoned mentor present, Dr. Niven Huang, Managing Director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting Co., Ltd., to deliver words of encouragement to the graduates. Dr. Huang emphasized that "sustainability" is the most critical and defining issue of our time, encouraging graduates to boldly contribute their talents to this field. He further pointed out that among the three pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), the "Social (S)" indicator remains relatively underdeveloped, creating an urgent need for passionate, cross-disciplinary youth. Representing the faculty, Professor Alicia Say raised a toast to offer heartfelt blessings to the graduates and express sincere gratitude to the corporate mentors for their selfless dedication. During the open networking session, students eagerly seized the opportunity to seek career advice from representatives of their dream industries, sparking lively and enthusiastic interactions.
Now entering its 11th year, the IMES program boasts an alumni network that spans the globe and multiple industries. To align with future global trends, the program continuously enriches its curriculum to cultivate students' capabilities in data analysis, digital applications, and innovative thinking. To bolster international mobility, IMES not only establishes robust academic networks with prestigious global universities but also actively builds strong industrial ties with multinational corporations. The resounding success of this "Corporate Mentor Night" not only showcased the uniqueness and high caliber of IMES students to the business sector, but also broadened the career horizons for both domestic and international students, instilling them with the confidence to embrace future workplace challenges. Looking forward to its next decade, IMES remains committed to attracting top-tier youth worldwide and nurturing them into the global leaders of tomorrow.