WKWSCI students gain immersive industry experience at Cannes Lions 2026

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is one of the world's leading gatherings for the creative communications industry, bringing together agencies, brands and professionals from across the globe. This summer, 38 undergraduate and graduate students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) travelled to the festival under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Ms Wong Pei Wen.

Throughout the week, students immersed themselves in the festival by attending award shows, keynote sessions and exhibitions while exploring campaigns from around the world. They also engaged with agency leaders and industry practitioners, gaining insights into emerging trends, strategic thinking, career pathways and the realities of working in global creative organisations. Beyond the festival programme, the experience also enabled students to expand their professional networks and exchange ideas with peers from different parts of the world. 

As part of the module's commitment to paying it forward and serving as an institutional influence in the region, 22 undergraduate students launched Love the SEAlions More, a campaign encouraging creatives and brands to engage with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity while celebrating Southeast Asian talent and ideas. The campaign invites the global creative community to look beyond the region's beaches and tourism attractions and recognise Southeast Asia as a growing hub of creative excellence. Learn more about the Love the SEAlions More campaign and follow the team's journey on Instagram. 

Beyond Cannes Lions, the module also gave students opportunities to gain international exposure through the D&AD New Blood Awards and receive hands-on mentoring at events such as The Pencil Sharpener Night, creating a learning experience that extended far beyond the traditional classroom. By engaging directly with industry professionals and experiencing some of the world's leading creative platforms firsthand, students gained valuable perspectives that will shape their future creative practice and careers. Learn more about the programme, including the student experience, industry mentors and award-winning work.