THE JOURNEY OF I-WEEK

Last week was a fascinating experience for me as I participated in the I-week on sustainability program hosted by the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, which was entirely conducted online. Despite the 4:30-hour time difference between India and Belgium, I was initially worried that attending the program would be challenging and that the online classes might be monotonous and uninspiring. However, the organizers proved me wrong by providing a highly engaging and interactive virtual classroom experience. The classes were thoughtfully designed to involve students in dynamic discussions and group activities, making it feel like we were all in the same physical classroom. Overall, the online format of the program exceeded my expectations and provided a valuable learning experience that I won't soon forget. I'm excited to showcase their techniques to achieve this level of interactivity and involvement.

• Introduction Session

Oh, what a joyous and exciting time we had during the I-Week program! It all began on the bright and sunny day of 8 March 2023 with an enthusiastic and welcoming introduction from our amazing I-Week team, who immediately set the tone for what was to come. Fast forward to 14 March 2023, and we were blessed with the opportunity to expand our horizons and learn more about cross-cultural management from none other than the highly experienced facilitator, Guido de Wilde , with the guidance of the fantastic?Prof. Peter Verhezen . It was a truly enriching experience!

And then, on 17 March 2023, we began delving into the "academic side" of the program, starting with an incredibly informative and engaging lecture by our very own hosts, the knowledgeable and charming?luc van liedekerke ?and Peter Verhezen. They expertly broke down the macro- and micro-aspects of sustainability, giving us a deeper understanding of the concept. And let's not forget about the amazing?Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova , who shared her brilliant ideas and insights on how to make our assignments on sustainability more aesthetic and mindful in their communicative approach. What an inspiring week it was.

• Workshop

As I reflect on the past few days, my mind wanders to the parallel sessions we had. The experience was not only informative but also fun-filled.

The first session was led by two experts in the field, Prof.Elizabeth Abba ?and Prof.?Abhimanyu Sahoo . They shed light on the importance of corporate social responsibilities in the modern era. Their insights were invaluable, and I was amazed by how much I learned from them. They highlighted the significance of this concept in the corporate world and how it can bring about positive change in society.

Moving on to the next session, which personally was my favorite, was conducted by Prof.?Lebone Nkhumeleni . Her session was on strategic impact investment decisions, and I must say it was an eye-opener. She emphasized the components of impact investment and how they can lead to positive social impact. She cited the example of Vox Capital, a company that invests in innovative businesses that positively impact the low-income population in Brazil.

But what caught my attention the most was her analysis of Kawisafi, a case study that left me in awe. The session was not only insightful but also much fun. I found myself actively participating in the discussions and taking notes.

The parallel sessions were a huge success. They were not only informative but also fun and engaging. I walked away with a newfound understanding of the importance of corporate social responsibilities and strategic impact investment decisions. I can't wait to apply what I learned in my professional life.

• Plenary Session

As I sit and reminisce about the plenary sessions we had on the 21st of March, my mind wanders to the insights shared by Prof. Orsolya Diófási-Kovács, ?and Prof.?Pri Notowidigdo . Both sessions were enlightening, and I found myself engrossed in the discussions.

Prof. Diofasi's session on green supply chain management was genuinely fascinating. He presented an overview of sustainability solutions in supply networks through the green supply chain management framework. He explained all the framework elements, which helped me understand the implementation process better. I was particularly interested in the solutions that support circularity and carbon neutrality efforts. It was an eye-opener, and I realized how critical it is to implement sustainable practices in the supply chain.

The next plenary session by Prof. Pri Notowidigdo was equally informative. He shared his experience on achieving sustainability through global collaboration. He cited examples from the corporates he served as a board member or advisor and emphasized the cross-cultural and human aspects of collaborating to achieve everyday sustainability demands or goals. I found his insights on the importance of collaboration and cross-cultural understanding to be truly inspiring.

Both plenary sessions were successful, and I learned so much from them. I hope to implement these insights in my startup and contribute to making the world a more sustainable place.

• Team Works

Reflecting on my recent experience working with my team, I can't help but feel grateful for the diversity of backgrounds that each member brings to the table. Our discussions were both diversified and productive, and it made for an enriching experience.

Together, we dove into researching ICADE SA and their carbon strategy. It was fascinating to learn that in the past 15 years, ICADE has been a pioneer in low-carbon real estate and has made low-carbon a strategic priority since 2018. We discovered that ICADE became the first property investment company in France to receive HQE Construction certification for a private service sector building in 2005 and the E+C- label for an office building in 2017.

Working on the paper and presentation with?Nabila Chatar ?and?Fathiya A Salsabila W ?was truly enjoyable and insightful. They helped me a lot throughout the research, and without them, it would have been difficult. But working with people from diverse backgrounds was a great exposure for me, and I learned so much from them. Their different perspectives allowed us to consider all aspects of the topic, and our discussions were richer. It was a fantastic experience working with my team. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such amazing individuals.

• Intercultural Mix & Match

The world has truly become a global village, and it was evident when I connected with Matilde from Italy and Alexandar from Austria in an intercultural mix & match online event.

My conversation with?Matilde Guala Molino ?was a delightful experience. We started by discussing our interests and quickly moved on to talk about Indian food and cultures. As we shared our experiences and thoughts, I was amazed by how skillful she was. We also discussed my startup, and I was thrilled to see her keen interest in it. The conversation was so engaging that I lost track of time. I wish we had more time to chat.

My meeting with?Alexander Wandl ?was equally interesting. He was a fun person, and we bonded over our shared passion for racing. We exchanged thoughts on our experiences in sales, and I found his perspective to be truly insightful. It was fascinating to learn about his background and the things he enjoys doing.

The intercultural mix & match online event was a great opportunity to connect with people from around the world. I feel fortunate to have connected with Matilde and Alexandar, who brought in their unique perspectives and experiences. It was a fun and enlightening experience that made me appreciate the diversity and richness of our world. I look forward to connecting with them again and continuing our conversations.

• CEO Debate

CEO Debate was truly an eye-opener. It was like having a conversation with the CEOs themselves, hearing their opinions, thoughts, and experiences about sustainability.

What struck me the most was when one CEO shared that he uses a laptop with a sustainable battery. It was both shocking and motivating to hear that even the smallest choices we make in our daily lives can have an impact on the environment. It made me reflect on my own actions and what I can do to be more sustainable for this world.

Listening to the CEOs' stories about how their companies contribute to sustainability was also inspiring. They shared their strategies, initiatives, and challenges in integrating sustainability into their businesses. It was reassuring to know that sustainability is becoming a priority for many organizations, and it gave me hope for a more sustainable future.

The session was very insightful, and I learned a lot from the CEOs' experiences. It made me more aware of the impact of my choices and motivated me to take action toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

• XIM University

"I cannot express enough gratitude to XIM University for providing me with the opportunity to deepen my understanding of sustainability. I am immensely grateful to the International Relations Committee for their unwavering support and encouragement. And to my favorite professor, Elizabeth Joseph , I cannot thank you enough for your dedication and guidance throughout the week. Your passion for sustainability has truly inspired me to be more mindful and responsible in my actions. Thank you for helping me grow and upskill in this important field."

A-Week on I-Week has made march an exciting month for me.

#IWeek