On 17 July, the lecture hall 214 of the College of International Cultural Exchange at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) was filled with applause. Over 40 international participants from more than 20 universities worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Pennsylvania, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, took turns standing at the podium to present the outcomes of their three-week study programme—some analysed the competitiveness of China’s new energy vehicles in the global market, others documented a day of digital life in Shanghai, and one even compiled a 'Policy Guide for Overseas Talents Starting Businesses in China'. This marked the closing presentation session of the 2026 BEST Workshop of the Shanghai Summer School and the GLOBAL SUFE International Summer Camp.
The three-week programme, themed around 'Business, Entrepreneurship, and Intelligent Technology', focused on a cutting-edge topic each week: new energy vehicles, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and innovation and entrepreneurship. With over 10 special lectures, visits to 10 enterprises for in-depth insights, various experiences of traditional Chinese culture, and a 'Face-to-Face with Talent Policies' session with the Putuo District Government, the international youth were taken from textbooks to workshops and from classrooms to industrial parks, gaining a firsthand feel for the pulse of China’s industries.
New Energy Vehicles – From Classroom to Workshop, Witnessing 'China Speed'
The first week of the programme focused on new energy vehicles. The special lectures covered topics such as 'China’s Sustainable Development and ESG', 'Venture Capital and Industrial Investment in the Automotive Sector', and 'Innovation and Internationalisation of China’s New Energy Vehicles', building a comprehensive knowledge base for participants in terms of policy frameworks, capital logic, technological pathways, and global strategies.
Beyond theory, participants visited the Auto Innovation Port, where they witnessed the research, development, and testing processes of intelligent connected vehicles firsthand; at the Shanghai New Energy Vehicle Data Innovation Lab, real-time operational data from tens of thousands of new energy vehicles across the city flashed across large screens, captivating the participants; and the integrated die-casting machines and fully automated production line demonstrations at the Tesla GIGA Museum became a focal point for everyone’s cameras.
“I gained a lot from experiencing the research and development testing process of China’s new energy vehicles on-site,” said a participant from Belgium. “The completeness of China’s new energy vehicle industrial chain far exceeded my previous imagination.”
Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence – The 'Chemical Reaction' of Algorithms, Gaming, and Urban Governance
Under this theme, a series of lectures covered topics such as 'Business Model Innovation and Transformation in the Digital Age', 'Risk Management for Enterprises in the Digital Era', 'The Current Situation and Trends of China’s Digital and AI Economy', and 'Digitalisation and Platform Economy: China’s Practice', analysing the underlying drivers of China’s digital economy from multiple dimensions including business logic, risk management, and industrial policy.
Stepping out of the classroom, participants visited Taobao Flash Sales to observe how algorithms match riders with orders in seconds, explored Poki City to experience how serious games empower healthcare and public knowledge, toured the World Skills Museum to trace the evolution of skills from traditional artisan tools to AI-assisted design, and visited the China 3D Printing Museum to witness the achievements of China's 3D printing development.
A participant from the UK said: 'At Poki City, I saw that games are not just entertainment but can also solve social problems. This cross-sector thinking was very inspiring.'
Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Policy, Culture, and People, Nothing Can Be Missed
The final week focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Thematic lectures covered 'The Current Landscape and Environment of Entrepreneurship in China', 'Innovation Management and Practice in Chinese Enterprises', 'Socio-cultural Preparation for Entrepreneurship in China', and 'Shanghai’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policies'. Progressing from macro-environmental context, corporate case studies, cultural differences, and specific support measures to practical experiences of foreign entrepreneurs in Shanghai, the sessions provided a step-by-step guide for participants interested in developing their careers in China.
Beyond the classroom, participants visited entrepreneurial enterprises such as Longai Group and innovation hubs including Wisdom Bay Science and Technology Park and Fudan Science Park, gaining firsthand insight into the wave of innovation and entrepreneurship in China.
Additionally, the programme collaborated with the Putuo District Talent Work Bureau to organise 'Universities in Putuo: International Young Talents Explore Putuo'. Participants visited the 'West Joy Nest · Zhiheyuan' talent apartments, which feature fully furnished suites, shared kitchens, and community libraries. At the 'Talent Gathering' regular roadshow hall, staff from the Putuo District Talent Work Bureau explained in detail the 'Premium Purchase, Premium Rent, Premium Residence' housing system, the maximum RMB 2 million in entrepreneurial support funding, and the 'Suhe Talent Plan'. The event saw active interaction, with several participants discussing visa, tax, and industry entry issues with the staff. A fun Shanghai dialect class was also arranged, with participants enthusiastically practising greetings like 'Nong hao' and 'Xie xie nong', creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere.
'I previously knew Shanghai had many opportunities, but I didn’t expect the government to offer such specific rental subsidies and startup grants for foreigners,' admitted a participant from Singapore.
Beyond academic learning, cultural experiences were equally enriching. Tai chi, Wuqinxi (Five Animal Exercises), sachet and lacquer fan making, filigree enamel crafting, tea art sessions, and Chinese herbal collage workshops—all hands-on activities—were offered in each class. A participant from the US held up a filigree enamel cup mat she made and said: 'It may look simple, but every step requires patience. This gave me a real understanding of the concept of craftsmanship.'
During the closing presentation, Abhijeet Chaturvedi from India remarked: 'Over these three weeks, my biggest takeaway wasn’t how much knowledge I memorised, but meeting people who are actually starting or managing businesses in China. Their real-life stories were more convincing than any textbook.'
After the presentations, Dong Jing, Vice Dean of the College of International Cultural Exchange at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), presented each participant with a certificate of completion.
This summer school was not only a classroom for knowledge transfer, but also a platform for mutual inspiration and trust-building among young people from China and abroad. For the first time, the programme included an introduction to the talent policies of Putuo District, effectively connecting academic resources from the university with the industrial needs of the region, and opening a window for overseas talent to learn about and choose Shanghai. It is reported that the summer school has been held for several consecutive years, dedicated to building a bridge for outstanding global youth to 'understand China, connect with industries, and engage in dialogue about the future'. In the future, the university will continue to deepen university-enterprise cooperation and university-local collaboration, promote the synchronized development of international talent cultivation and urban growth, and support Shanghai in accelerating the establishment of a global hub for talent and a high-level gateway to the outside world.
