From May 31 to June 7, a delegation of faculty and students from the Business School at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), led by Geng Xiuli, Party Branch Secretary of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and doctoral supervisor, and Li Pengbo, Admissions Director of the Professional Degree Education Center(PDEC), visited the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) for an overseas study program themed “Asian Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Digital Innovation.”
The delegation at SIM
Professor Timothy Chan, Deputy Provost of SIM, warmly welcomed the delegation. He shared Singapore’s experiences in educational reform, economic transformation, and talent cultivation, and introduced practical explorations of collaborative innovation between higher education and industrial upgrading. His remarks provided valuable insights for faculty and students to better understand Singapore’s innovation-driven development model.
During the program, students attended a series of specialized courses. In the course “Corporate Sustainability and Green Brand Building,” Professor John Bounaparte used the “People, Planet, and Profit” triple bottom line framework to demonstrate that sustainability is not only a key manifestation of corporate social responsibility but also a strategic choice for enhancing brand value and market competitiveness. In the course “AI-Native Startups and Vibe Coding,” Dr. Liu Junhua focused on AI-native entrepreneurship and rapid product development, demonstrating the application of generative AI technologies in product prototyping, business model validation, and user demand analysis. In the “Design Thinking” course, instructor Andrew Lee guided students through user insight–driven innovation using activities such as persona creation and the “Marshmallow Challenge,” enabling them to experience rapid iteration and prototype validation through teamwork. In the “Business Analytics and Concepts” course, Jean Foo, Chief Consultant for Course Innovation and Certification at the SIM Micro-Credential Centre, explained how data analytics empowers business decision-making, deepening students’ understanding of data-driven management and offering new perspectives for the digital era.
In addition to coursework, faculty and students visited Huawei Singapore and RSM Singapore, gaining firsthand exposure to the latest trends in digital innovation and international business. At Huawei Singapore, staff introduced case studies on how digital technologies are transforming sectors such as energy and transportation, and highlighted Huawei’s collaboration with Singapore Power Group in developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. At RSM Singapore, a leading local audit and consulting firm, company representatives provided in-depth insights into Singapore’s business environment, systematically analyzing its competitive advantages as an international business hub from perspectives including political environment, financial system, legal regulation, and tax policy. They also engaged in discussions with faculty and students on topics such as career development, professional planning, and entrepreneurship.
The delegation also explored the city and engaged in cultural experiences, gaining a close-up understanding of Singapore’s open, diverse, and inclusive society. By visiting urban districts and unique communities, participants observed the integration of modern urban spaces and multicultural elements, gaining comprehensive insights into Singapore’s development trajectory and governance practices—from the concept of green development to the practice of efficient urban management.
At the closing ceremony, students presented their projects in English in groups. Integrating their learning experiences, they proposed innovative solutions based on real industry cases and the needs of international organizations, covering areas such as business model design, environmental governance, circular economy, green architecture, and social inclusion. Their presentations demonstrated strong professional competence, global vision, and effective teamwork.
This overseas study program in Singapore broadened students’ perspectives through cross-cultural exchange and deepened their understanding of the responsibilities and missions of managers in the new era. In the future, the Business School will continue to strengthen international cooperation, actively build open and shared learning platforms, and guide students to examine the relationship between business development and social value from a global perspective, respond to the challenges of the digital age with innovative thinking, and strive to become high-level talents with international vision, innovative spirit, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
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Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), established in 1964, is supervised by the Ministry of Education of Singapore and the Committee for Private Education. It is a leading local private institution and the first to receive the EduTrust four-star certification, specializing in fields such as human resource development, business management, and financial management.
Reviewed by Liu Weiwei, Wei Xin
