Traveling America: Harvard and MIT

Previously, I completed IET's events and eating lobsters in downtown Boston:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2019/04/traveling-america-boston-city.html

Harvard University is always somewhere at the top of any global university rank list. I for one though, never believed in university rankings. Old universities, with proud traditions, long history and well-known alumni are bound to be 'ranked' better than newer ones. I feel it's more of a publicity stunt. But I suppose some healthy competition is always welcomed. 

Still, it was quite fascinating to visit Harvard University, most probably the best in the world. 

Legendary Harvard Yard

Harvard University's campus is made up of independent buildings with various styles and design.

The Museum of Natural History

We've got a common friend, also from the IET who is currently studying MBA at Harvard Business School - LX. LX was really kind to reserve seats from the Professor, for us to sit-in. It was an amazing experience!

Back to school

 Everything at Harvard is posh, artistic and ooze class.

Spangley foodcourt - Felt like a 5-star hotel restaurant

We attended a class on Entrepreneurship Management. For 1.5 hours, everyone was discussing on a Case Study - Eastern Bank's evolution. It was on how CEO Bob Rivers' decision to turn a traditional community bank into a modern and savvy bank. The case study circled around the threat of technology disruption. This is a common challenge faced by mature companies. Because of technology-driven disruption, the lifespan of companies has decreased dramatically. 90% of companies in the S&P 500 were replaced in the past 50 years, and 50% of them which were not, will disappear in the next decade or decade and a half. 

How should a CEO, or company top management team address the challenge of technology disruption and innovation? How would you maintain (or even cut) cost, increase productivity, and most importantly keep the Board (and customers) happy? How about long term sustainability and growth? Are you willing to throw in some investment to 'test the waters' and gain some learnings? I think the divisive factor is the long-term and short-term goals of an organization. How many organizations are willing to forego short-term goals for longer-term ones? I guess ultimately, the priority is still to survive. Everyone's looking at instant success (and reward).


Sitting at the first row, first seat, to the right of a standing and charismatic Prof. Stig, I witnessed how a world-class professor runs a class, using not less than 6 blackboards (with chalk), querying and quizzing students. Feeling interested, I looked up the history and record of Prof. Stig, and found out that he actually set-up numerous companies, and have experienced the corporate world. It is imperative that MBA classes are run by real business managers.

There were around 60 students in the class, from more than 40 different countries. Though it costs like USD 85k/year for 2 years, admission, which is restricted to experienced professionals only, is very competitive. Top executives all want a piece of Harvard MBA. Our friend just received an internship with McKinsey just being a HBS student.

For every question asked, 3 out of 5 students would raise their hands. It felt like an auction house at times. Apparently, class participation is 50% of the course assessment. It was also nice to see the role play at the end of the class - 'Board of Directors' and the 'CEO'.

Sitting beside me, coincidentally is a fellow Malaysian! What a small world! Khail is a Chemical Engineer from Petronas. We shared a good chat, discussing on the teaching method, and after-thoughts.

I walked out the class somewhat exhausted, but extremely impressed and satisfied

An underground pathway with some significance (which I can't remember)

The Lehman Brothers

Replica of Russia's Danilov Bell in front of Baker Library, BHS

The posh Widener Library - The students inside looked stressed out though

Cambridge was a student town (this applies to the UK too). So food is plentiful!

The only 'American Chinese' restaurant in Cambridge - 'Hong Kong' Restaurant

Famous burger shop - Mr. Barthley's

Across the street, some kilometers away, stands MIT. I've heard of this university for ages. It's like the gold-plate of engineering and technology. As an engineer myself, I rate MIT as one of the best in the industry.

MIT is a city campus

The Great Dome of MIT

We visited the MIT Museum, a not so fancy looking building. 

At first glance, it felt like a departmental store

But inside, it house cool and world-changing inventions

MIT Hyperloop (the list of sponsors speaks volume)

I thoroughly enjoyed Boston. It felt like England, the weather (and the names are also similar - New England, Cambridge...), but it was different in it's 'American' way.

Charles River, and the Boston skyline

I left Boston on Amtrak Train for a 4 hour ride to...

Any guess?

PS: 3 games to go in the EPL, and Liverpool and breathing down Man City's neck. May the best team win the league.

Up next:
https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2019/05/traveling-america-new-york-city-part-1.html