Preparing for an uncertain future with the power of interdisciplinarity

Science, arts, and humanities are often taught as separate disciplines, each with its own methods and ways of understanding. However, the challenges we face in the real world rarely fit into only one discipline. At the Science and Liberal Arts: The Power of Interdisciplinarity workshop, Dr. Win Maw Hlaing Oo, Chair of the Division of Mathematics and Science, invited students to explore how different fields can work together to understand and solve complex problems in the world. 

Dr. Win Maw talked about how rapidly the world is changing and how unpredictable the future is, using a Venn diagram in which complex problems, unforeseen challenges, and future innovations overlapped at the center, underscoring the need to prepare for an uncertain future. He said, “We live in a complex world where there is no straightforward solution for complex problems.”

He illustrated this concept through a scene from a movie called The Day After Tomorrow, where a scientist calls for urgent action on climate change while a politician raises concerns about the economic cost. Addressing such an issue requires understanding both the scientific consequences and the economic realities. 

Drawing from this example, Dr. Win Maw explained, “If you focus only on science, economics will collapse and vice versa. That’s the core of interdisciplinary studies. You have to be able to look at an issue from different angles.” 

While complex problems require multiple perspectives, innovation and creativity can also happen through connections between ideas that may not seem related. Dr. Win Maw introduced this idea through Steve Jobs' belief: “Creativity is just connecting things.” He shared how Jobs’ experience of studying calligraphy in college later influenced the typography of Macintosh computers. A creative course that seemed unrelated to technology became part of a major innovation in the history of technology. 

At Parami, students are encouraged to make similar connections through exploring courses across the Division of Social Science and Humanities and the Division of  Mathematics and Science. A subject that may not seem connected to a student’s interest today could inspire something valuable in the future. 

The intersection of future innovations, complex problems, and unforeseen challenges highlights the true essence of interdisciplinary learning. 

As the world continues to change in unpredictable ways, students need knowledge in more than a single field. They need to explore different ideas and develop the ability to think beyond disciplinary boundaries. 

Dr. Win Maw emphasized that the goal is not simply to know more, but to learn how different ideas can work together. At the end, he referenced the words of Albert Einstein, "All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual toward freedom." 

The future may be uncertain, but learning to connect ideas can help students prepare for the unforeseen challenges and navigate the complex problems of the world.