Text and Pictures by Hult Prize at NCKU
"The milestones achieved during the Hult Prize made me discover that my abilities and courage are far stronger than I ever imagined" - Kay Chang, Director of Operations (Accounting 113)
The Hult Prize at NCKU is not just another competition—it's a transformative journey that reshapes the perspectives of everyone involved. For the committees, it's beyond event planning or management but a personal exploration of potential, resilience, and growth. Students from different disciplines became united with a singular vision: to become a safe place for NCKU students to learn, make mistakes, and grow. They stepped into roles that challenged them, pushed them to their limits, and ultimately helped them discover their "UNLIMITED" potential. Through leadership, cultural exchanges, and overcoming unexpected obstacles, the Hult Prize experience left an indelible mark on everyone who participated. As the 2024 cohort came to a close, students who organized the Hult Prize at NCKU 2024 Cohort reflected on their experiences in organizing, promoting, and executing each event.
Building the Foundation: Resilience and Collaboration
Image 2-7. Hult Prize at NCKU Grand Final
Drawing from previous experiences, the 2023/2024 period marked the second Hult Prize OnCampus Program at NCKU, focusing on fostering a community of growth, impact, and interdisciplinary collaboration. One of the core team committee, Peggy Lin (Accounting 113), who was the Director of Creative Marketing, shared that it was her first time being part of the preparation team. "I used to participate in various business competitions, yet this role allowed me to view the competition from a completely different angle," she reflected.
The journey of the committees did not go easy. The program faced a compressed preparation period due to academic schedules, leaving just over a month to gather manpower and plan and execute all events during the academic year’s peak. In addition to that, one of the biggest hurdles was balancing ambition with financial constraints. With no initial funding, the committees felt the weight of financial uncertainty as they sent email after email to potential partners. The tension grew as the first workshop date loomed closer and final exams approached, making the balance between organizing responsibilities and schoolwork difficult.
The committees comprised students from fields as varied as engineering, finance, and languages with different nationalities, each bringing their own perspective. This diversity posed challenges, requiring patience to understand different perspectives influenced by cultural differences and the use of English as a second language.
Disputes over different expectations, conflicting schedules, and language barriers led to some members stepping down. The remaining committee members had to adapt quickly, reshuffling roles and responsibilities to keep things on track. With these setbacks, they had to demonstrate resilience: reorganizing into a project-based structure that allowed them to play to each member's strengths and changing their mindset from seeing diversity as a barrier into a unique strength.
The multidisciplinary nature of the team allowed them to approach challenges from different angles, which was especially valuable when dealing with complex topics like sustainability, business, and event planning. Rather than explicitly introducing new perspectives, they learned to move forward with recognizing the synergy created by bringing everyone together.
"One unexpected aspect of my Hult Prize journey was the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with individuals from around the world, enriching my experience and expanding my global network in ways I hadn't anticipated while witnessing the behind-the-scenes efforts." - Yvonne Lu, Public Relations Division (International Masters in Business Administration 114)
"Collaborating with others whom I had just met was a new experience for me, but I'm glad that everyone on the team was cooperative and willing to learn and teach each other. In conclusion, we have all become good friends now " - Agnes Yoesman Kwok, Director of Marketing (Industrial Design 114)
"This was my first experience organizing an event with a group of Taiwanese peers, offering me the chance to learn about their organizational culture and build meaningful friendships." - Lidwina Hannah, Treasurer (Business Administration 114)
Be Unrestricted, Be "UNLIMITED"
The theme of the Hult Prize 2024, "UNLIMITED," became more than just a prompt for participants—it became a symbol for the committees themselves. The organizing team embraced the spirit of freedom and self-expression, using the experience as an opportunity to break out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges. Being part of the team became a journey of becoming unrestricted, open to learning beyond their expertise, pushing boundaries, and becoming UNLIMITED.
Saddha Khanti (Biotechnology and Bioengineering 115), a member of the academic division, reflected on how the event helped her grow: "This experience was like discovering a hidden interest I never knew I had. I never expected to enjoy organizing and leading business workshops as much as I did. I'm glad that I took the leap."
"As an engineering student, I had limited exposure to business concepts, but through this experience, I embraced the opportunity to learn. I'm thankful for the chance to delve into areas like design thinking and systems thinking, broadening my perspective and understanding of various disciplines." - Sam, Vice Campus Director (Resources Engineering 113)
During the finals, it was actually inspiring for the committees to witness each team taking the stage to present their hard-earned results. The dedication of many teams striving to contribute to societal and environmental change over the past few months was truly moving. Seeing their determination and passion firsthand highlighted the impact that young leaders can have when they harness their own power to make a difference.
Embracing Leadership and Teamwork: A Catalyst for Growth
The opportunity to step into leadership roles was a transformative experience for many committees. Rather than simply recounting individual experiences, the focus here is on the broader growth that occurred by being accountable.
Kay Chang (Accounting 113), who initially felt unsure of her leadership abilities, found herself rising to the occasion. "Challenges are opportunities for growth—this sentence I always thought was just motivational talk, but it gradually became more concrete during the Hult Prize journey. I have never considered myself an outstanding person, and I find it difficult to shoulder a leader's responsibilities. The position of Director of Operations given to me made me feel incompetent, but at the same time, it also gave me the opportunity to prove my worth. I discovered that my abilities and courage were stronger than I ever imagined."
The committees also benefited from the connections established through their outreach efforts. Feedback from both experts and peers helped guide the teams and encouraged their growth. Michelle (Biotechnology and Bioengineering 114), part of the public relations team, found that the experience helped her break free from her insecurities. "From the Hult Prize, I learned a lot about how to communicate with people, how to make a good proposal, and how to write a professional email. At first, I was afraid of doing my job badly, but I found it wasn’t as hard as I thought, thanks to the supportive team environment," she shared.
Natalie Tanjaya (Biomedical Engineering 113), the Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships, also shared her thoughts: "Managing the partnership and sponsorship for an event of this scale was challenging, but it taught me valuable skills in planning and adaptability. There were moments of uncertainty, but those were the times when teamwork mattered the most."
Looking Forward: A Legacy of Change
The Hult Prize at NCKU has shown that the journey is about far more than just competition. It’s about personal growth, meaningful connections, and discovering the "UNLIMITED" potential within. It’s a call to step out of comfort zones, to embrace new perspectives, and to work together for common goals.
“If I once thought that merely completing the OnCampus Program with ample support was an achievement beyond my expectations, I now realize that the Hult Prize at NCKU has surpassed even that, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved. The true essence of ambition in leadership and project initiation lies not in professional achievements, but in a genuine compassion to effect change.” - Renata Selma Tanan, Campus Director (Energy Engineering 114)
Peggy put it best when she said,
"Even after the event is over, we can all continue to be ChangeMakers and work hard to make changes in our respective fields." - Peggy Lin, Director of Creative Marketing (Accounting 113)
"In the end, another biggest gain from this event is probably that all the partners who have shared the joys and sorrows together have gone from not knowing each other to friends who celebrate birthdays together and go out for drinks. I cherish this fate that allows me to get to know everyone, even if it is only for a short time. But I believe that this memory will be remembered by everyone for a lifetime."
The friendships forged, and the lessons learned from the Hult Prize extended far beyond the event itself. This was not simply about the outcome of a competition but about nurturing a foundation for continuous growth and impact. The students return to their studies as individuals who have discovered deeper aspects of themselves—more resilient, more confident, and more connected. The "UNLIMITED" theme lives on in their actions and aspirations, reminding them that the only true limits are those they place on themselves. The program’s legacy lies in the community it fostered—one that encourages discovery and growth, inspires future leaders, and aims to make a difference.
