With China’s global influence gradually expanding in the past decades, the rest of the world is turning eyes to China. As one of the most influential academic departments in China, Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) has established the “China Studies” Special Course in the spring of 2014 in order to keep pace with global trends and focus on key issues.
With the slogan “Understand China, Discover China, Future Ambassador”, “China Studies” aims to strongly impact and enhance international students' understanding of the development of China, to teach students how to promote future cooperation and exchanges between China and their home country as well as the rest of the world, and ultimately to cultivate cross-cultural skills. Through multiple and diversified teaching methods of theoretical instruction, case studies and field trips, “China Studies” intends to create a road to understanding China, form future cultural ambassadors, create top business leaders and inspire future environmental advocates.
“China Studies” benefits from the expertise of many guest lecturers as well as solid support from PHBS, with exceptional professors from both PHBS and other renowned institutions. Among them, Founding Dean of PHBS, Professor Wen Hai, will provide a lecture about China’s economic reform and development. Founding Dean of School of Environment and Energy, Professor Xu Geng, will introduce sustainable economy in China. Founding lecturer of this course, Professor Haifeng Huang, is experienced in cross-cultural management after a 15-year work and study in Germany, and will has designed this course based on students’ interests and needs. Other guest lecturers include: Professor Liangyi Ouyang, Professor Zhiyong Tu, Professor Deming Zhou, Professor Ting Ren from PHBS. Business professionals are also invited to join the lectures. They are: Andrew Tsui, Chairmen of Korn Ferry (HongKong), Peter Chang, Head of HR of HSBC BANK (China), Maggie Zhou, Director of Vermilion Partners Limited Shenzhen Branch.Gengyun Zhang, Vice Director of BGI, Jingxin Zhang, President of Wuzhoulong, Peng Tao, Section Chief of Administration of Qianhai Bay Bonded Port of Shenzhen, Yuan Yang, Director of OCT Wetland, Yuanzheng Tang, Vice President of PHBS EMBA Alumni Association.
“China Studies” combines traditional lecture and theoretical introduction with field trips and case studies, to enhance knowledge gained from the classroom and learn from Chinese business people in real business settings. The course is divided into three segments: Theoretical Instruction, Case Studies and an Optional Trip. During the theoretical instruction, experts and entrepreneurs from different backgrounds will provide overviews and unique perspectives in Finance, Economy, Management and career development in China, strengthening students’ theoretical foundation. In the case study segment, the focus will be on teaching students how to build a career in China and experience the working environment in a Chinese company. Students will have the opportunity to visit: Qianhai Bay Bonded Port of Shenzhen, OCT Wetland, BGI (the world’s largest geometrics organization), Huawei Headquarter in Shenzhen. In an optional field trip, students will also have the chance to visit a Green County, Pingshan County in Sichuan Province. It’s an ideal choice that allows students to see how China copes with creating sustainable energy resources and at the same time preserving its ancient rainforests, and to observe the way of life of the local people.
Currently, “China Studies” has witnessed six successful lectures, which were strongly recieved and warmly welcomed by both PHBS students and faculty. In the opening lecture, Vincent Chang, Executive Dean of PHBS, presented the opening speech. Founder of “China Studies”, Assistant Dean of PHBS, Professor Haifeng Huang, introduced the motivations and goals to create this Special Course, together with the structure and arrangements for this module. Professor Young Joon Park attended the lecture as guest.
More excellent lecturers joined in later classes. In the second and third lectures, Associate Professor Liangyi Ouyang and Zhiyong Tu provided an overview of financial markets with different focuses and perspectives, including China’s financial system and real economy, evolution of the Chinese financial system, and Chinese financial markets and institutions. Later on, Professor Deming Zhou introduced a new topic, Logistics and Supply Chain in China, to discuss the green economy of China in terms of Management. In the latest lecture, Professor Xu Geng provided an inspirational speech on Ecology and Green Economy, perfectly combining science with business school ideas.
In the coming lecture, Andrew Tsui, Chairmen of Korn Ferry (HongKong), will join the guest team to talk about mock interview skills and career development. Case studies and field trips are also to be included in the schedule.
Additionaly, taking into account different study interests of students, the broad topics of “China Studies” are divided into six groups to promote specialized study and teamwork. They are: China’s Economic Transition group, China’s Financial Research group, China’s Green Economy group, China’s Urbanization Research group, China’s Enterprise Management group and Cross Cultural Management group. Moreover, “China Studies” has a class committee, with one monitor, three deputy monitors and six group leaders elected by students. It functions to organize class events, promote democracy and classmate participation.
Many students have expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to join this Special Course and have benefited a lot from “China Studies”. One of them comments,” The class not only gives international students the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the Chinese business environment and Chinese culture, but also gives us the chance to step outside the classroom and gain practical knowledge about doing business in China”.
By Susan Hao
