Seeing the Future Through Fresh Eyes
The NUS EMBA Class of 2026 launches “33 IDEA,” a social impact club that begins with inspiring youth from The Hut and sparking curiosity at Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore.
A Spark Becomes a Movement
At NUS Business School, leadership is defined not only by business acumen, but also by the willingness to create impact beyond oneself. That spirit came alive recently when the NUS Executive MBA Class of 2026 (Intake 33) launched their social impact club, aptly named IDEA, an acronym for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access.
The idea began, quite literally, with a conversation. “I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful for the society I belong to but honestly, I didn’t know where to start,” recalled class representative Amy Park, who planted the first seed of what would become the club. “So, I simply shared that thought with my ‘safety zone’, my EMBA classmates. To my surprise, a group of like-minded friends quickly gathered. That was the beginning of 33 IDEA. The beauty of our team is that we’re all passionate about different things, yet none of us claims to know exactly where this is headed. And that’s what makes it beautiful. We’re figuring it out as we go, staying open-hearted and grounded in action. I believe the journey itself will shape us, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.”
Building on Shared Convictions
This openness has already set the tone for what the group wants to achieve. “Our pilot program gave me clarity on what IDEA should pursue,” Amy added. “It’s about quality, creating a meaningful experience for everyone involved, and not just a symbolic activity.”
Her classmates share the same conviction. Kong Jun Cheong explained, “As EMBA students, we wanted our learning journey to go beyond the classroom and to make a tangible difference. That’s what inspired us to set up the Social Impact Club, to harness our diverse skills and networks to give back to the community, starting with helping at-risk children. Our hope is to create meaningful experiences that broaden horizons for these young ones, while also cultivating empathy and purpose among ourselves as future leaders.”
For Remi Mitsuya, the drive comes from her personal mission to empower women in their careers. “My desire to create a society where women can thrive has always been strong, and it has only deepened since I began the NUS EMBA. While I am active in my company’s initiatives to encourage young women to become engineers, my contributions sometimes feel limited as just one employee. Through IDEA, I see a unique opportunity to address these broader societal challenges – whether it’s women’s careers, the future of children, or even issues like aging populations and overwork – with classmates from all over the world. With such talented and seasoned peers, I am confident we can create initiatives that make a real difference.”
Johan Gozali echoed the sentiment: “Many of us in the EMBA program share a strong desire to give back to society. My hope is to create a platform where our class can pool our resources –
whether funds, time, networks, or expertise – to support underprivileged communities across Asia. Partnering with The Hut and HMGICS in Singapore is our first step in this journey.”
Partnering with The Hut
The group’s inaugural activity embodied this spirit. Partnering with The Hut, a non-profit that serves as a drop-in centre for children and youth in Marine Parade, the classmates canvassed donations from their peers and organised a special visit for the youths to the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS).
It was an experience designed not just to entertain, but to inspire. “Such activities are valuable in providing exposure towards future career aspirations and awareness of industries unknown to the children,” a representative from The Hut reflected. “They spark interest, boost motivation, and help open longer-term goals.”
Innovation Through the Eyes of Youth
On the morning of the tour, both EMBA participants and the youths of The Hut stepped into the future of mobility and sustainability at HMGICS.
Highlights included exploring future living concepts that integrate sustainability, innovation, and robotics; visiting the Smart Farm, where robotics and automation demonstrate how Singapore can expand urban agriculture; and immersing in the Factory VR Tour, a 3D experience revealing Hyundai’s highly automated modular EV manufacturing process. The day ended on a high, literally, with the SkyTrack Experience, where participants enjoyed a roller-coaster-like ride in a made-in-Singapore EV on the nation’s only rooftop track.
For the children, the excitement was palpable. Twelve-year-old Ibrahim shared, “My favourite part of the tour was the Factory VR Tour. It was intriguing to see how cars are manufactured by robots.” His classmate Faizi added, “My favourite part was the SkyTrack car drive because the track is on the roof and the car goes very fast! I didn’t expect we would get to go around the track two times.”
For the EMBA participants, seeing the experience through the children’s eyes was just as powerful. “During the visit, what moved me most was seeing the children’s faces light up with curiosity and possibility, especially during the test drive on the Hyundai SkyTrack,” said Jun Cheong. “It was a poignant reminder that innovation is not only about technology, but also about inspiring the next generation to dream bigger.”
Wedad Sunny reflected, “Experiencing the tour through the eyes of a 12-year-old was a reminder of the joy of curiosity. What a wonderful way to close our EMBA journey together – learning, giving back, and seeing the future through fresh eyes.”
Encouragement from Partners
Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore also expressed their appreciation for the collaboration. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for visiting HMGICS,” wrote Peter (Dong Wook) Kim, Head of PR at HMGICS. “It is truly rewarding to know that your experience at our center was both meaningful and enjoyable. Your presence was a great encouragement to us, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future.”
Looking Ahead: 33 IDEA in Action
Though still in its infancy, the IDEA club has already shown the power of intention. For Amy, one of the most memorable lessons has been how quickly support emerged once their goals were shared. “The Hut was introduced to us by a classmate, Jun Cheong, who later joined our club. HMGICS came on board after just one casual networking lunch. It showed me that when intentions are clear and genuine, the right people always find their way to help make it happen.”
From a single conversation among classmates, a movement has begun, one that aims to combine the diversity, networks, and leadership of the NUS EMBA community to make a tangible difference. If its first steps are any indication, IDEA will continue to grow into more than just a club; it will become a living reminder of what inclusion, diversity, equity, and access can look like in action.
