From May 17 to 29, SBC successfully held its 2025 International Summer School under the theme “Empowering Future Leaders: Shaping Global Tech and Business with Cultural Intelligence.” The project integrated international business thinking with AI-powered algorithm design, robotics, and STEM education, featuring a diverse range of activities including academic courses, tech seminars, innovation and entrepreneurship training, corporate visits, and cultural immersion experiences. A delegation of nine students from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) joined over 20 students and staff members from SBC in this enriching project.
At the opening ceremony, ZHANG Zheng, Vice Dean and Acting Executive Dean of SBC, warmly welcomed the international participants. He encouraged the students to make full use of this valuable opportunity for learning and exchange, gaining firsthand insights into this ancient yet vibrant country through their experiences in Shanghai.
“Knowledge” through Cutting-Edge Courses, “Action” via Enterprise Visits
SBC carefully designed a series of interdisciplinary courses combining global business perspectives and engineering knowledge. Delivered by seven faculty members, the curriculum included:Thinking Internationally, Bridging Business Cultures, Robotic Machine, Algorithm Design and Testing for Optimization Problems and Intellectual Property and Legal Considerations and STEM.
Dr. Jeffrey Wang, Head of School of Business and Management analysed trends in global business under the current international landscape. He explored how market dynamics redefine product value and positioning, as well as the opportunities and challenges of operating in a cross-cultural environment.
Lecturer Pascal Schock focused on managing international business relationships in a globalized world, emphasising the significance of understanding cultural and commercial differences. He said: “We had some great insight and a lecture on how to deal and manage international business relationships with partners abroad. Being able to understand cultures and manage relationships within these diverse cultures is becoming increasingly important as the economy continues to become more global.”
Lecturer Dr. Neville Lam introduced students to key intellectual property (IP) concepts, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, along with China’s technological development and the related IP challenges. He said: “The first is to give students an overview of common types of intellectual properties (IPs), covering Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks and Trade Secrets and their legal foundation. The second purpose is to introduce China’s technological development and how IPs are being employed in the process.”
Dr. Tony Ryan, Head of Business Management, presented SBC’s undergraduate pathway and scholarship options to the international students. His presentation highlighted what SBC has to offer for their friends and family who may be interested in earning a UK Honors Degree in Shanghai. The presentation was well received, and the students appreciated the opportunity to learn more about SBC’s pathway offerings, as well as the dual degree option in partnership with USST. These pathways provide a unique opportunity for international students to gain globally recognized qualifications while studying in China.
Dr. Ghiath Al Aqel from the School of Engineering delivered a lecture aimed at enhancing students’ capabilities in data-driven decision-making, strategic technological innovation, and global leadership. He said: “This comprehensive understanding of algorithmic problem-solving empowers students to make data-driven decisions, innovate strategically, and lead effectively in a diverse and interconnected global landscape, thereby fostering a crucial blend of technical and cultural intelligence.”
Lecturer Black Zhou guided students to develop critical and interdisciplinary thinking through STEM activities. He said: “It integrates multiple disciplines and trains students to use cross-disciplinary knowledge to solve problems. Additionally, students take a rigorous and varied course load and develop a strong work ethic. It promotes a learn-by-doing approach. Students participate in real-world projects with real-world consequences.”
In addition, lecturer Ella Fan presented a prototype integrating multilingual voice interaction with large language models via APIs, as part of her STEM project.
Students visited JCB (Shanghai) Ltd. and the Shanghai office of Haleon, where they engaged with industry experts and executives to gain in-depth knowledge of advanced production processes, flagship products, manufacturing technologies, quality standards, and corporate development strategies.
At Haleon, the delegation received a warm welcome and an insightful presentation on the company’s corporate background, product categories, global market positioning, and employee benefits which provided a firsthand understanding of Haleon’s workplace culture in the global market, career opportunities, and industry trends.
“Collaborate” Across Borders, “Innovate” as One Team
International summer school students from LJMU’s school of engineering worked closely with SBC’s RoboVigor robotics team and SmartEye wearable device team on two cross-national R&D projects: an omnidirectional wheeled robotic chassis and a wearable mobility aid for the visually impaired.
On May 28, under the leadership of LI Yan, Party Secretary of SBC, and CAI Hui, Deputy Party Secretary and Associate Dean of SBC, the students participated in the Fourth “Liverpool in Shanghai” Culture Day at Shanghai Normal University. Collaborative project presentations highlighted not only the innovative outcomes of UK-China cooperation but also the unique cultural exchange value of the summer school.
Zeng Yuqi, a member of the RoboVigor team, shared: “We developed a wheeled robotic chassis capable of autonomously collecting and sorting ore. Together with our summer school peers, we assembled an independently steerable drive module from scratch. Each module supports 360° rotation and precise speed control, enabling the robot to move omnidirectionally, rotate in place, and perform high-speed stable movements. This cooperation led to deep learning in both technical and intercultural dimensions.”
Lv Junheng from the SmartEye team explained: “SmartEye is a wearable travel aid for the visually impaired. Together with the summer school students, we optimized its appearance design, shared visual recognition code, and improved the solution. This collaboration not only enhanced the product’s performance and expanded our development ideas, but also forged international friendships. Special thanks to the LJMU students for their active involvement and contributions.”
2025 marks the 19th anniversary of academic cooperation between USST and LJMU. Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy of Liverpool City Council, led a delegation to visit SBC. Also in attendance were Kate Stansfield, Interim Head of Sustainability, Liverpool City Council; Alderman Gary Millar, President and Chairman of the Liverpool China Partnership; and Julia Wang, Vice Chairman of the Partnership and Director of International Relations at LJMU.
During the event, Cai Yonglian, representing SBC, extended a warm invitation to all guests to attend SBC’s 20th Anniversary celebration in 2026. She said: “Next year, in 2026, SBC will welcome its remarkable 20th anniversary. Here, on behalf of the college, I sincerely invite all guests to gather here to witness the college’s 20 years of educational achievements and share this honor and joy together.”
ZHU Xinyuan, President of USST, warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for LJMU’s long-standing support. He noted that the collaboration between the two universities has led to significant achievements in research and high-level talent cultivation. He said: “LJMU and USST share a profound 19-year partnership. Over these years, the two universities have maintained close exchanges at all levels and in various fields, with fruitful cooperation achievements, opening up new and broad prospects for the two universities in the fields of scientific research cooperation and high-level talent cultivation.”
ZHU Xinyuan and Nick Small jointly unveiled a commemorative display board celebrating the 19 years of cooperation. Engineering students also presented their final-year projects, and the RoboVigor team demonstrated their self-assembled robotic innovations.
Experiencing the Charm of Shanghai and Chinese Culture
Under the guidance of four faculty members, international students experienced Chinese calligraphy, tai chi, paper cutting, and Mandarin lessons. They later visited USST’s Jungong Road Campus to explore its academic atmosphere and cultural heritage.
Marino Faggionato from Italy reflected on his calligraphy class: “What really stood out to me was how much personality and emotion can come through in someone’s writing style. It’s more than just letters on a page, it is a form of expression. It is a great way to connect with Chinese heritage and understand the values of patience, balance and beauty in the culture. I would love to try it again and would definitely recommend it to others.”
Students also visited iconic Shanghai landmarks including Wukang Mansion, celebrity residences, Yu Garden, The Bund, and Zhujiajiao Water Town, gaining deep insights into the city’s cultural identity and heritage. Evelyn Hough from UK said: “Visiting China was an unforgettable adventure filled with cultural discoveries and eye-opening experiences. Exploring Yu Garden was like stepping back in time, surrounded by ancient buildings and rich traditions. The Bund at night reminded me of London, with its city lights and vibrant shopping. Visiting Zhujiajiao, the ‘Venice of China,’ and sampling bao buns and local food made this trip truly unforgettable.”
This international summer school fully showcased SBC’s commitment to cultivating high-quality talents with cross-cultural competence and technological innovation capabilities. Moving forward, the College will continue to uphold its overarching themes of Responsible Leadership, Enterprise and Innovation, and Cultural Empathy, deepen internationalised education, and strengthen global cooperation to build a premier Sino-foreign educational brand.
