HCD Global hosts SKOLKOVO EMBA students on “Understanding of Doing Business in China” program

On November 6-13 SKOLKOVO EMBAs (a group of 27 students from EMBA-3 and EMBA-4 classes) visited China as part of their International module. During this trip the students visited three major cities: Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. This unique and diverse program on “Understanding of Doing Business in China” consisted of culture learning and company visits during which SKOLKOVO students had a chance to meet with leading Chinese and international companies representing different industries as well as visiting the Chinese government and understand how government and business work together. EMBAs also had an opportunity to submerge into Chinese culture by participating in a number of cultural activities, seeing performances and doing cultural walks. The program was developed and hosted by HCD Global, China’s innovative education group, its CEO Julia Li and her team.

The official part of the program consisted of company visits (17 companies in total). Companies to be visited were chosen from the perspective that students get the chance to see and experience different industries as well as large national and global players represented in the China’s modern market. While in Shanghai SKOLKOVO delegation visited nine companies such as Lianhua Group, leading retail chain in China; China Telecom, main telecom company; Huiyuan Juice Group, leading domestic juice and beverage producer, during this meeting students had a chance to see the factory and the production process; Metersbonwe, China’s legendary casual wear fashion company; Frog Design, an international design company successfully operating in China; world known Lenovo, Jumeirah Group and others. In Hangzhou EMBAs visited XiZi Elevator Group, large elevator producer, Cybernaut Cap Management, large investment fund that invests in start-up companies and is supported by the Chinese government and Alibaba, world largest e-business platform. Suzhou list of visited companies consisted of Suzhou Venture Group, China No. 1 Investment Fund group consisting of private equity and venture capital, Silicron Technologies, Innolight Technologies and Snail Games, China’s number one 3D online game producer with the office in Russia. In Shanghai EMBAs visited one of the student entrepreneurs’ start-up incubators that are very common in China and in which the government involvement is very deep; and in Suzhou they met with the representatives of China-Singapore Government Industrial Park which includes innovative companies, investment funds and learning institutions. SKOLKOVO students’ feedback on the company visits was very positive and exciting.

Along with the company visits SKOLKOVO students participated in the social dinner in Shanghai during which they met with local Chinese business executives and entrepreneurs to establish direct business contacts and understand how to do business in China. 

The cultural program was intensive and unique.  The West Lake Impression, a nationally known performance on the water directed by famous award winning film director Zhang Yi Mou, touched hearts of all the participants and became a highlight of the cultural program. For those who like interacting with ordinary people and every-day life, cultural walks were organized. City tours, tea ceremony and Chinese religion/philosophy visits were all highly appreciated and helped the students to better understand Chinese culture and the way of thinking. The program was very intense but at the same time full of learning opportunities and a great experience of accepting and understanding.

Here are just a few of the comments from the students who participated in the program:

“It has become a great revelation for me to get to know China through such a program. This trip was very well organized with just right balance of business and cultural activities. This balance helped me to receive a well rounded experience of China” – Sergey Koltovich, head of TNK-BP Avia.

“I’ve learned a lot of useful things and got many business contacts. I am sure that SKOLKOVO should continue these kinds of international modules. The group became closer thanks to this module. Especial thanks to Julia!!!! Thank you!!!!!” – Anonymous.

“Brilliant summary of China today, its government, business and culture” – Anonymous.

“It was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had and definitely the best business learning program I participated in.” – Anna Vasilenko, SKOLKOVO alumni.

“The content of the program exceeded my expectations. I would like to thank Julia from all of my heart for the great experience, contacts and opportunity to see and understand China from the side that is hardly possible to see for the foreigner” – Sergey Kazachkov, 1C-Rarus Group of Companies, CEO.

HCD Global is an innovative international education group. Leveraging the globally pioneering internet and software development technology, as well as the leading education resources worldwide, we believe in a world frontier innovative learning mode and a sustainable research and development capacity. We provide innovative learning experiences and solutions to learning companies in China and all over the world.