Apart from celebrating the beginning of spring, the Science, Technology and Education Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in China was happy to welcome the delegation from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) for the 7th time since 2009 for a joint lecture at the Embassy’s Residence.
‘Insight China’ is an ambitious project in its 15th anniversary year organized by students of FHNW and which offers them the opportunity to gain insights into China’s cultural and economic diversity. Prior to their study trip, the students attended a preparatory seminar in Switzerland where they met expert guest lecturers from various fields such as Management, Culture, Law and Politics who offered a first introduction to life and work in China. This year, the delegation consisting of 27 students in their final Bachelor-study year and 3 lecturers organized their On-Site Seminar in China under the framework of the interesting topic ‘Made in China 2025’. For this purpose they invited Prof. NIU Huayong, Dean of the international business school at Beijing Foreign University Studies (BFSU), and an expert in the field, who gave an insightful lecture on the goals and challenges of China’s ten-year national plan to transform its industry into a leading high-tech industrial player and who provided an interesting outlook into the future. Both universities presented interesting views on the role and development strategy of ‘Made in China 2025’ as well as on the Swiss and Chinese economy. Prof. JIANG Yufan from FHNW further elaborated on the issue of ‘China’s New Normality’ and how it could affect ongoing Swiss Managers.
For some FHNW business students, it was the first time to travel in China and therefore many impressions could be shared with the invited students from BFSU during the small cocktail reception after the lectures. Both, the Swiss as well as the Chinese appetizers were enjoyed by the delegations and the students from both universities were able to network, exchange fresh ideas and to establish contacts on a professional level as well as on a personal one
Contributed by Lara Nadine Fritschi (樊丽), Attachée, Science, Technology and Education Section, Swiss Embassy in the People's Republic of China