On July 17, applause echoed through Room 214 at the School of International Cultural Exchange at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, where more than 40 international students from over 20 universities — including the University of Cambridge, the University of Pennsylvania, and Nanyang Technological University — took the stage in groups to present their findings from the previous three weeks. Topics ranged from the global competitiveness of Chinese electric vehicles to their own documentation of a day navigating Shanghai's digital economy — with one group even putting together a practical guide on starting a business in China as a foreign entrepreneur. The presentations marked the closing of the 2026 Shanghai Summer School BEST Workshop, held alongside the GLOBAL SUFE International Summer Camp.

The three-week program centered on business, entrepreneurship, and intelligent technology, with each week dedicated to a major theme: new energy vehicles, digital economy and AI, and innovation and startups. Through more than 10 lectures, 10 in-depth company visits, a range of traditional cultural activities, and a dedicated session with Putuo District's talent policy office, the program took students beyond textbooks — from lecture halls to factory floors, from classrooms to innovation parks — giving them a firsthand sense of how Chinese industries are evolving.

New Energy Vehicles — From Classroom to Factory Floor, Seeing "China Speed"

The first week of the program focused on new energy vehicles. Lectures covered China's sustainability and ESG practices, venture capital and industrial investment in the automotive sector, and the innovation and global expansion of Chinese NEVs — giving students a solid grounding in policy frameworks, investment logic, technology roadmaps, and global strategy.

Beyond the classroom, students visited the Auto Innovation Port, where they saw the R&D and testing processes for connected and intelligent vehicles up close. At the Shanghai New Energy Vehicle Data Opening Innovation Laboratory, real-time operational data from tens of thousands of EVs across the city glowed on massive screens, drawing long looks from the group. At the Tesla GIGA Museum, the single-piece casting machines and fully automated production lines quickly became the most photographed attractions.

"The hands-on experience with the R&D and testing process was incredibly valuable," said a student from Belgium. "The depth of China's NEV supply chain is far greater than I ever expected."

Digital Economy and AI — When Algorithms, Gaming, and Urban Governance Meet

This track featured a series of lectures on a range of topics: business model innovation in the digital age, corporate risk management in a digitalizing world, the current state and trends of China's digital and AI economy, and platform economy practices in China. The lectures gave students a multi-dimensional look at what drives China's digital economy — from business logic and risk strategy to industrial policy.

Outside the classroom, the group visited Taobao Flash Shopping, where they saw how algorithms match riders with orders within seconds. At Poker City, they explored how "serious games" are being used in healthcare and science education. At the WorldSkills Museum, they traced the evolution of craftsmanship — from traditional hand tools to AI-assisted design. A stop at the China 3D Printing Cultural Museum offered a look at the country's progress in additive manufacturing.

"A visit to Poker City really opened my eyes," said a student from the UK. "I realized that games can do more than entertain — they can actually help solve social problems. That kind of cross-disciplinary thinking is something I'll take with me."

Innovation and Entrepreneurship — Policy, Culture, and People, All Essential

The final week turned to innovation and startups. Lectures covered the current landscape for entrepreneurship in China, innovation practices in Chinese companies, the cultural and social preparation needed to start a business here, and Shanghai's specific policies for supporting new ventures. The sessions moved from big-picture context to real-world cases, from cultural differences to concrete government support — and even touched on what it actually looks like for a foreigner to launch a business in Shanghai. For students considering a future in China, it offered a clear picture of the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Outside the classroom, the group visited Longai Group, a startup enterprise, along with two innovation parks — Smart Bay Science and Technology Park and Fudan Science and Technology Park — to get a feel for the startup scene on the ground.

The program also took students to Putuo District for a session with the local talent bureau. They visited a talent apartment complex with fully furnished units, shared kitchens, and community libraries. At the district's roadshow hall, officials walked them through the housing support system, startup funding of up to 2 million yuan, and the Suhe Talent Program. The students had plenty of questions — about visas, taxes, and industry access — and the discussion that followed was lively. A Shanghai dialect class was also arranged that day, and the room soon filled with laughter as everyone practiced saying "hello" and "thank you" in Shanghainese.

"I knew Shanghai had a lot to offer, but I didn't realize the government provides such specific rental subsidies and startup funding for foreigners," said a student from Singapore.

The program wasn't all lectures and site visits. Students also got their hands dirty with traditional Chinese arts — making sachets and lacquer fans, trying their hand at cloisonné and tea brewing, even practicing tai chi and the Five-Animal Frolics. Every activity was designed to be done, not just watched. One American student held up the cloisonné coaster she had made and laughed: "It looks easy, but every step tests your patience. Now I really understand what 'craftsmanship' means."

During the final presentations, Abhijeet Chaturvedi, an Indian student, put it this way: "The most valuable thing I'm taking away from these three weeks isn't the facts I memorized — it's the people I met. Talking to people who are actually starting and running businesses here taught me more than any textbook could."

At the end, Rong Jun, deputy dean of the School of International Cultural Exchange, handed out certificates to each participant as the program officially wrapped up.

This summer school was about more than just coursework. It brought together young people from China and abroad — to learn from each other, to exchange ideas, and to build connections that might last well beyond the three weeks. For the first time this year, the program included a session with Putuo District officials, giving students a direct look at the talent policies and startup support available to foreigners in Shanghai. It was a chance to see, firsthand, what the city has to offer. Now in its second decade, the program has always had a simple goal: to help international students understand China — not just its culture, but its industries, its business landscape, and the opportunities here. Looking ahead, SUFE plans to keep building bridges between the university, local government, and the private sector, ensuring that the next generation of global talent grows alongside the city itself — and playing its part in making Shanghai a magnet for talent from around the world.

Source: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics