From Engineering to Global Leadership: Patrick’s Journey through IBMBA
Patrick currently serves as a Country Product Manager at ASUS, where he has built an impressive international career. After graduating from the International Business MBA (IBMBA) program at National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), he began his professional journey as a Project Engineer at BXB Electronics. Following two years in that role, he transitioned to ASUS, where he has worked for over five years. His career with ASUS has taken him across the globe—from a one-year expatriate assignment in Vietnam to his current position in South Africa.
Patrick credits the IBMBA program for equipping him with the global perspective and cultural adaptability essential for his international roles. The program’s diverse classroom environment, filled with classmates from around the world, provided a transformative educational experience. Engaging with various cultural viewpoints and business mindsets allowed him to develop a broader outlook and enhanced cross-cultural communication skills.
A pivotal moment during his time at NSYSU was participating in the ACT (Advanced Consulting for Tomorrow) Program, a dual-degree opportunity offered in partnership with the University of Victoria (UVic) in Canada and Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in Austria. Through this program, Patrick spent a year collaborating on real-world business projects with international teams. This hands-on experience not only sharpened his problem-solving and teamwork abilities but also helped him navigate new cultural environments with confidence.
Before joining IBMBA, Patrick had an academic background in engineering but realized early on that his true passion lay elsewhere. A friend introduced him to the IBMBA program, highlighting its English-taught curriculum and solid foundation in international business. Inspired by its global focus, he applied—and was accepted—into what would become a defining chapter of his professional life.
One of the most valuable aspects of the program, in his view, was its collaborative and supportive learning atmosphere. Regardless of language proficiency or background, students were encouraged to engage in English discussions and presentations, which played a key role in developing their confidence and fluency. For Patrick, these experiences significantly enhanced his communication skills, both professionally and personally.
Advice for Future Global Professionals
Drawing from his experience, Patrick emphasizes the importance of adaptability for those aspiring to careers in international business. The IBMBA program, he believes, prepares students to embrace cultural differences, communicate effectively across borders, and manage the complexities of global work environments. He underscores that in today’s interconnected world, the ability to understand and respect diverse perspectives is not just valuable—it’s essential.
Patrick also offers insight on managing cultural differences: "Acknowledge them, embrace them, and move forward." He illustrates this with a cultural analogy—comparing friendships in Taiwan to coconuts: hard to crack at first but deeply meaningful once formed; while friendships in many Western cultures are like peaches: soft and friendly on the outside but with a firm core of close relationships. Navigating these differences with curiosity and open-mindedness, he says, is a critical skill in international business.
His final piece of advice? Say yes to new opportunities, even if they take you far from your comfort zone. Patrick never imagined he would build a career in South Africa, but the foundation laid by IBMBA opened unexpected doors that shaped both his professional journey and personal growth in profound ways.