Mbali Khumalo
South Africa
Current occupation – Co-director of Cultural Intelligence Africa (CQA)
‘My name is Mbali Khumalo, and I’m an anthropologist and social justice advocate with a passion for supporting organisational culture strategies. My professional journey has included working as an anthropologist and researcher with multinational corporations, including Google and IBM, as well as international feminist organisations such as V-Day and FRIDA-The Young Feminist Fund, as a regional expert. For my bachelor’s degree, I studied Anthropology, French Literature and English Literature in South Africa. Having pursued the Masters in Intercultural Management in Dijon gave me the tools to better navigate working in intercultural and global settings, and the program’s design perfectly matched the multidisciplinary academic experience I was looking for. As the co-director of Cultural Intelligence Africa (CQA), an organisation that works to support organisations with their intercultural needs in order to create healthy work environments for employees and leaders to thrive in, I am honoured to co-lead strategies that support local and international efforts to centre diversity, equity and inclusion as an opportunity to co-create a more equitable society. I’m grateful for my experiences within the ICM, and recognise that it’s a gift that keeps giving.’
Aswini Prabhakaran
India
Current Occupation: Junior Researcher
Testimonial:
« ICM has been a transformative journey for me, offering a deep dive into the theoretical foundations of cultural constructs. This understanding is a crucial skill, especially in comprehending the intricacies of current global events. The program has not only broadened my perspective but has equipped me with essential tools to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world. »
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in French and Francophone Studies
Nour Ass’ad
Jordan
Current occupation: An Internship with CEMS – The Global Alliance in Management Education.
Testimonial:
“The ICM experience has been transformative for my perspective and career trajectory. Being part of this program exposed me to a diverse range of cultures and perspectives, challenging my understanding of the world. I appreciated the immersive approach of ICM, where I not only learned about concepts like culture shock, mobility challenges, and communication theories but also lived through these experiences in real-time. Engaging with colleagues from various backgrounds, each with their unique viewpoints, was enlightening. Moving to Sicily and studying in a different educational system with a diverse group of people was indeed challenging, but the experience was incredibly enriching. I chose ICM because I was drawn to the idea of having an exchange semester followed by a 4-6 month work experience. The program’s emphasis on preparing students for post-graduation employment was particularly appealing to me. Additionally, I was impressed by the detailed course descriptions, and the fact that the entire program was conducted in English.”
Educational Background: English and German Languages.
