Written by Vipin Saini/ Edited by Sam Chen

National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) is the only university entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collaborate with Lithuania's leading universities in the Taiwan-Lithuania Semiconductor Talent and Research Scholarship Program (STAR Program). NSYSU has established Memorandums of Understanding and a Joint Statement with three top-ranking Lithuanian institutions: Vilnius University (VU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). Shyh-Jer Chen（陳世哲), a Distinguished Professor at the Institute of Human Resource Management at NSYSU's College of Management, invited Dr. Lina Užienė from KTU to deliver a series of guest lectures for the university's international programs.

On March 23, 2023, Dr. Lina Užienė led a guest lecture during Dr. Yu-Chen Yang's Global Supply Chain Management course. Dr. Lina's insightful lecture on intellectual capital sparked thought-provoking conversations among the IBMBA students. She began by discussing KTU's achievements and Lithuania's advancements in areas such as sustainability, technical education, blockchain, fintech, and payment industries. Dr. Lina emphasized the importance of intellectual capital in driving a company's competitive advantage and long-term success, citing examples from top global brands.

Dr. Lina encouraged students to explore questions related to intellectual capital in various industries (health and technology), company sizes (start-ups and large corporations), and organizational types (profit vs. non-profit). She then guided students through a collaborative brainstorming session focused on the three key components of intellectual capital: human capital, structural capital, and relationship capital. Students analyzed these factors for Apple, Google, and Kantar.

Following internal discussions, each team presented the unique strengths that contribute to the success of each company. Apple's success was attributed to its skilled workforce, including creative and innovative designers who develop high-quality products and services, a comprehensive ecosystem that creates a unique and seamless user experience, and strong customer relationships. Google's success was linked to its programming expertise, diversified business model, and solid relationships with other tech companies and users. Moreover, Google's innovative culture and the provision of top-notch facilities to attract the brightest minds in the market also contribute to its accomplishments. Kantar's success was credited to its specialized staff, consisting of analysts, data scientists, and consultants with domain knowledge and consumer insights expertise, distinctive databases from various sources, providing valuable insights and actionable recommendations to its FMCG clients, and strong partnerships in the research and consultancy sectors.

For the final activity, students analyzed Taiwan's intellectual capital by examining the nation's human, structural, and relationship capital strengths.

Taiwan's strengths were identified across several domains. The nation's tech-savvy and humble population demonstrates great potential for technology. Taiwan also holds a leading position in the semiconductor industry, contributing significantly to the global market. The country's National Health Insurance system ensures healthcare coverage for its citizens, while its robust intellectual property rights, particularly in the semiconductor domain, protect innovation. Taiwan's democratic governance model further underlines its resilience and adaptability.

Dr. Lina wrapped up the lecture by emphasizing the significance of attracting and nurturing intellectual capital for a country's sustainable growth, as demonstrated by countries like Germany, Dubai, and Singapore.

The session provided students with a thorough understanding of intellectual capital and its significance in driving success for both companies and countries. Dr. Lina's engaging teaching approach allowed students to apply these concepts to real-life scenarios while instilling a sense of pride in Taiwan's accomplishments, particularly in the semiconductor industry.