Fidelma Mumbua, an LLM student at Brunel Law School, recently participated in the Global Micro Design Challenge, an exciting project organised by Brunel Design Factory and Hannam Design Factory, Hannam University.
The challenge centred on developing innovative solutions for the Beauty and Cosmetics industry in partnership with the beauty brand 'STYLPRO.' Fidelma travelled to South Korea where she actively contributed to the realisation of the project together with the other members of the team.
Fidelma's personal account of the project and her reflections on the journey to South Korea:
I travelled to South Korea from 17-26 October 2024, to engage in Global Micro Design Challenge organised by Brunel Design Factory and Hannam Design Factory, Hannam University. This trip was funded by Brunel's Global Opportunities Fund to provide both undergraduate and postgraduate students with a global learning experience aiming to foster a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment that encourages collaboration, problem-solving, design thinking, and effective communication skills.
The challenge focused on identifying innovative solutions within the Beauty and Cosmetics industry in collaboration with the beauty company 'STYLPRO'. Our objective was to develop creative ideas leveraging light therapy technologies beyond their conventional applications. In partnership with students from Hannam University, we formed groups consisting of two Brunel students and four Hannam students to facilitate a productive exchange of ideas and expertise.
This trip provided valuable enrichment both professionally and personally. I engaged with a diverse range of individuals, gained insight into Korean culture through its delicious food, and gladly participated in the planned cultural excursions in Seoul and Daejeon. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to take part in a business challenge that broadened my experience beyond my existing educational and professional background.
I also had the pleasure of meeting and engaging with the Brunel Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Jones at the Brunel Alumni event in Seoul. The occasion provided an excellent opportunity to network with fellow alumni, exchange ideas, and gain insights into their experiences after university. As I prepare to graduate this year, it was particularly reassuring to discover the presence of an active alumni association, along with the networking and professional opportunities that are available following graduation.
When I started my LLM postgraduate program (PGT), my primary objective was to fully engage in my academic pursuits, ensuring that I dedicated myself entirely to coursework and examinations. However, this concentrated focus on academics led to considerable pressure and anxiety regarding my career prospects and competitive positioning in the UK job market. Consequently, I imposed perfectionism and high expectations on myself, feeling compelled to achieve them quickly and without making any mistakes. Fortunately, through the personal tutoring support system provided within the PGT program, I sought guidance from my personal tutor, Dr. Elimma Ezeani , who was very helpful in reassuring me.
Her assistance proved invaluable as she encouraged me to concentrate on the aspects of my experience that were within my control. As a result, I recognised the importance of enhancing my CV by participating in the university's extracurricular initiatives, such as career and placement fairs and employability skills projects (Brunel+) organised by the Career office and the Professional Development Centre (PDC).
Through an email sent by Bridget Lavin, Brunel Law School’s Careers representative, I learnt about the ‘Employability Skills Challenge 2024’ organised by the PDC team together with Design Factory London based in Brunel University. This challenge, carrying a commercial industry focus, sought to foster a ‘learning by doing’ approach to problem-solving and innovation through a multi-disciplinary collaboration by working together with international companies such as Ford Foundation and McDonalds. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to challenge myself out of my shell by engaging in projects (Global Design Ford Challenge and Brunel Ideas Factory) that extended beyond my academic and professional background while collaborating with students from various departments and diverse backgrounds.
Having now participated in three design challenges organised by the Design Factory, I am truly amazed by the person I have become, the professional connections and friendships I have formed, and the numerous transferable skills I have acquired through these experiences. It has been encouraging to see myself persevere even when certain aspects of the projects were challenging, pushing me to learn new things and discover innovative ways of problem-solving within a professional context. The trip to South Korea served as a significant moment for self-reflection, as it allowed me to appreciate the substantial contributions these extracurricular activities have made to my personal development and professional growth.
Through this experience, I regained confidence in my abilities as a legal professional and deepened my knowledge and understanding of commercial awareness, thereby fulfilling one of my primary objectives at the commencement of my Masters programme: to secure a competitive advantage in both the UK and international job markets.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience with other students, especially Post-graduate students, encouraging them to fully maximize and employ the resources and opportunities available at Brunel University of London.