Understanding Critical Thinking Across Cultures and Its Role in Everyday Life

On 16 May 2025, students enrolled in Critical Thinking and Application in Management subject attended an insightful sharing session featuring distinguished speakers: Professor Emeritus Torikai Shinichiro from Rikkyo University, Japan; Professor Emeritus Eiichi Yamamoto from Kansai University, Osaka; and Ms. Aznur Aisyah from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The session was held at the Cyberjaya campus.

Organised by the course instructor, Dr. Aznur Hajar Abdullah from the Faculty of Management (FOM), the session brought together diverse perspectives from Japan, Korea, and Malaysia. It enabled students to contextualise critical thinking concepts and relate them to real-world and local scenarios.

The students explored important topics such as media propaganda and its impact on critical thinking, while also learning how critical thinking can be applied to navigate everyday challenges. These discussions broadened their understanding of how critical thinking is approached across different cultures.

This initiative is part of the Faculty’s I-Cadet programme, which focuses on the practical application of academic knowledge. As part of the course, students undertake industry-based projects that address real issues faced by selected NGOs and business organisations. The sharing session helped prepare them to tackle these challenges by enhancing their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Overall, the session served as a valuable platform to inspire and equip MMU students with the competencies needed to navigate complex environments and make informed decisions through critical thinking.