Will technological change spell the end of the automotive industry as we know it?Former Hyundai and Volkswagen engineer Harish Sivashanmugam, now a full-time MBA student at Hong Kong’s CUHK Business School, thinks so.
The traditional car-making industry is being shaken up by Silicon Valley-based tech giants such as Apple and Google, which are investing huge sums in the development of autonomous electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Uber’s ride-sharing platform is disrupting traditional car ownership patterns. Perversely, the sharing economy venture, which has more than one- million drivers worldwide, has a commitment to a future of smartphone-controlled driverless cars at its very core.
For Harish, traditional car manufacturers that fail to adapt to these pioneering technological developments could soon face extension.
Alongside his engineering career in India, Harish also pursued his passion for movies, writing freelance as a film critique for The Hindu national newspaper and then Bollywood review site Wogma.com.
Keen to stay at the cutting-edge of business and technology, Chennai-born Harish relocated to China for his MBA.
What does the future hold for the automotive industry?
The future is immensely promising. I see automobiles moving away from everything we associate them with right now, to become mobile homes and work places.
With the advent of 3D printing and software giants testing their hands at making cars, the industry is facing competition from all quarters of the business world.
The traditional players who fail to adapt to these disruptive innovations will cease to exist.
What advice do you have for MBAs looking to work in the automotive industry?
Change is slow, compared to the IT industry for example, because of the huge capital and physical infrastructure involved.
MBAs should see the greater length of each project as an opportunity to be creative.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at CUHK?
I want to enter the Chinese market and CUHK gives me a strong platform to do that.
I realized that to soar higher in my professional life I needed more feathers and fuel, and I wanted to infuse business sense into my thought-process as early as possible.
An MBA, with its all-encompassing package, was the perfect fit.
How have you profited from your MBA experience so far?
The biggest takeaway has been a better understanding of my strengths and the areas which need improvement.
I can’t wait to see how this experience will change my approach to work when I get back into the job market.
What are your career plans?
I am equipping myself to enter the field of strategy and operations. I want to be in a space that allows me to excel in thinking, analyzing and executing my ideas.
How was your experience working for Volkswagen?
At Volkswagen the dialogue is free flowing in all directions, creating an amicable working atmosphere.
One unique feature about the company is the promotion system. At manager level, candidates’ progress up the ladder is not only decided by the boss but also by the results of multiple screening tests by a separate committee.
What are your thoughts on Volkswagen’s recent emissions scandal?
I still don't see how the people involved thought they could get away with it! These kinds of scandals come about when one sees a law as a barrier instead of a safety belt.
Can the company recover its reputation?
It’s a big setback in terms of trust. But with the way the internal investigations are being carried out, I’m more than happy with the direction in which the company’s heading.
History has shown that, provided companies come clean on such issues and create better fail-safes for the future, consumers can move on.
Student Reviews
One of a kind
I studied Bioinformatics at CUHK last year. It was the only Master's degree in Hong Kong in this field. This program developed my analytical skills and equipped me to be a Bioinformatician in a very practical way.
I enjoyed my year here and met classmates from different parts of the world. If you are thinking to enhance your profile, this degree program would be a good option.
general education courses, unique college system, large campus
The university facilitates multi-dimension and interdisciplinary learning. In social science faculty, we need to choose courses as our faculty package from other departments (architecture, psychology, sociology, etc.) to learn more than our major required courses. We are also required to finish general education courses, which aid our critical thinking and humanistic sensibilities. I do recommend the social science broad-based program, and the professors I met so far are all responsible and erudite.
LLM
The faculty of law is relatively new. You do not need to have a LLB to pursue a LLM, which is special. The taught programme is great for mature students who want to obtain legal knowledge.
CUHK has good teaching staff too.
Amazing Campus and Great Educational Environment
Not only is CUHK's main campus breathtaking, it provides for a good educational environment for students. The university is well-equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to help students with their study. We have 8 libraries in total around the campus; one for media, one for architectural studies, the medical library and the law library. The Professors are always helpful and are happy to talk to students when needed.
Moreover, the college system within the university brings forth the uniqueness of CUHK. Each student belongs to a different college, and in that students are able to meet different peoples from different countries and students from different faculties.
I think CUHK provides for a well-rounded university life for all students.
exthrillating
One of the most down to earth places in HK. A great opportunity to learn and embody the local culture. Also had one the most beautiful campus in Hong Kong up on the hillside. Glad to have graduated here.
Innovative and Supportive
My university provided me with all the support I needed, and encouraged me to be up to date with all the new developments in the world. They also provided me with the incentive to excel at what I do, and they take much pride in my achievements. I have had a very rewarding university experience.
Small, New But Friendly Law School
To being with, I think the campus of CUHK is the best and the biggest in Hong Kong, with fresh air and trees everywhere.
I am an undergraduate Law student at CUHK and I think the teaching here is great, with very friendly and nice professors and the new Lee Shau Kee Building.
In terms of the courses offered by CUHK, as one of the largest universities in Hong Kong, CUHK is an all-rounded university, offering a wide range of courses to students. Students may take the introductory courses of discipline other than their own major, or even declare a minor.
For law electives, due to the small amount of intake, the variety of law electives are not that huge. However, the Faculty is offering some international programmes, which can be treated as law electives, but at the same time, provide us with an opportunity to travel and know more about the legal system of another country.
The career support from the Faculty of Law is also amazing. The Faculty will organise CV Sessions and talks on how to get an internship from law firms or mini-pupillage from barrister's chambers. Each student will also have a Distinguished Professional Mentor, which is a current legal profession, providing us with practical advices and updates of the legal field.
Finally, from my personal experience, I think the students in CUHK are friendly and genuine. As Law students, competition is inevitable for grades, GPAs, vacation schemes and training contract. However, I think the competition in CUHK Law School is a positive one, in a sense that help us grow together, instead of fighting with each other no matter what. That is the biggest reason why I am having a very good time here in CUHK Law School.
A place to explore your interests
As a law graduate from CUHK (both undergrad and post-grad), I realise that I had many opportunities to explore my areas of interests (legal and non-legal both). The faculty/university requires us to take a certain number of non-law electives, and offers a plethora of courses to choose from. Personally, I took 3 modules in Korean --I can't say it's made me highly proficient, but it's definitely given me a good foundation (I can walk into a Korean restaurant and confidently order food, at the very least). The fact that language courses are offered also provides students who are more financially constrained an opportunity to learn a language without having to shell out a premium for a decent language course. On top of that, we have a range of law electives as well. I know of classmates who have developed lasting interest in different areas of law because of the electives they took in school. The two electives that I would say have changed me is (i) mooting and (ii) family law. I think my experience in an international commercial arbitration moot competition has helped tremendously in formulating legal arguments and legal writing. On the other hand, taking a family law elective has made me very interested in the family law practice, especially in terms of child rights. For these experiences which I have gained, I'm grateful for the opportunities provided by the school.
One main issue most students I know have is with the way our GPA is calculated and the lack of transparency in terms of how the honours system works. As our GPA is marked on a curve. it's highly unrepresentative of what we have achieved as individuals. Given that our GPA is the only criteria that is looked at when we apply for the compulsory post-graduate law course (mandatory should we want to practise law and/or be trainees in Hong Kong), it will put our own students at a distinct disadvantage when we compete for limited spaces with students from schools where GPA is not on a bell curve.
Valuable time in CUHK
I like the learning environment and people at CUHK. Surrounded by hills and Tolo Harbour, CUHK provides a balance between nature and hustle. You can always escape from the busy study life and meet your friend around the big campus for different activities.
