HSE GSB Students Participated in an International Programme on Business and Innovation in China
The programme was hosted at the innovative and educational venues of Suzhou – one of China's key economic and technological hubs, known for its blend of ancient cultural traditions and advanced industrial clusters, as well as active international cooperation in robotics, e‑commerce and smart manufacturing.
Over the ten days, participants immersed themselves in a unique environment combining academic lectures, company visits and hands-on exposure to Chinese culture and business etiquette. The programme included a course on business decision-making in the AI era, in which students examined the impact of artificial intelligence on strategic management and operational processes. Dedicated modules covered the social structure of contemporary China, the business environment in the country, and the digitalisation of the Chinese economy. Students explored in detail the workings of e‑commerce in China, including the development of social commerce and platform-based solutions, and took part in a workshop on entrepreneurship in the e‑commerce sector.
Special emphasis was placed on practical insights from high‑tech industry leaders. Participants visited FANUC – the world's largest manufacturer of industrial robots – where they learned about the latest automation developments. They also visited Taihu Snow Silk, one of China's largest silk producers, which serves as an example of the successful integration of traditional crafts into the digital economy. Another highlight was a visit to the DJI Science and Technology Museum, the world‑leading developer of unmanned aerial systems, where students were shown cutting‑edge drone technologies and their business applications.
In addition, the students took part in a hands‑on robotics workshop and interactive VR and metaverse sessions, including a unique experience titled "Ancient Suzhou in the Metaverse" – a walk along the UNESCO World Heritage site Pingjiang Road using augmented reality technologies. Participants also attended a workshop on traditional Chinese culture and business communication, where they explored the concept of guanxi (personal connections) and its role in building long‑term partnerships.
Beyond the rich academic and business programme, students discovered China's cultural and historical heritage. They visited the famous Master‑of‑Nets Garden (Wangshiyuan), founded in the Song dynasty, studied the architecture of classical Chinese mansions, and also travelled to Shanghai, an international financial and trade hub, where they went up to the observation deck of the Jinmao Tower, strolled along the renowned Nanjing Road and visited the Chenghuang Temple.
The programme concluded with an official certificate ceremony and student project presentations dedicated to AI applications in business and entrepreneurship in the digital economy. Participants praised the high level of organisation, the depth of the topics covered, and the practical value of interacting with experts and managers from Chinese companies.
Academic Supervisor of the bachelor programme in International Business
Understanding China today is not just a competitive advantage – it is a core competency for any global business leader. Through intensive international mobility formats like this, our programme gives students first‑hand experience with cutting‑edge technologies, the digital economy, and China's entrepreneurial culture, laying a solid foundation for their future international decisions
Elizaveta Hartmann
2nd‑year student of bachelor programme in International Business
The Summer School at XJTLU was a very valuable and inspiring international experience for me. During the programme, I not only got to know Chinese culture and the educational environment, but also gained a deeper understanding of current trends in the digital economy, AI and e‑commerce in China. I found the combination of theoretical lectures, practical workshops and visits to real companies especially useful – it allowed us to see how business and technology evolve in practice.
Alexandra Suslova
1st‑year student of bachelor programme in International Business
In international schools, it is interesting to find intersections in cultures, patterns or history of another country – to take away new questions (and, if you are lucky, answers) and topics for research.
Eldar Guliyev
1st‑year student of master programme in International Management
XJTLU feels less like a university and more like an entire educational ecosystem, a 'city within a city', where the space itself helps you get into the learning mindset. I would especially like to commend the faculty – I was impressed not only by their expertise but also by their professionalism, how they worked with the audience: they kept our attention at the highest level, managed group dynamics with ease, openly engaged students in discussion, and were ready to consider different perspectives, cultural and work experiences.
Rim Avdi
1st‑year student of master programme in International Management
The programme exceeded all possible expectations, thanks to the unique teaching approach as well as the well‑organised academic structure and extracurricular experiences. Studying China's status as a hub for global innovation projects and a major manufacturer in practice gives a valuable practical perspective for research and understanding of international business. The high professionalism of the teachers and the intensive academic programme allowed us to cover a large amount of material in a short period – less than two weeks. Moreover, the various topics (including finance, urbanisation, social structure, and AI integration into production processes) together form a clear picture of global positioning specifically from China's point of view.
