BNUBS Successfully Held A Short-term Training Program in Japan For the Winter of 2025 and a Winter Vacation Program at the University of Cambridge

In the winter vacation of 2025, our School successfully held two short-term winter vacation programs: a short-term winter training program in Japan and a winter vacation program at the University of Cambridge, with a total of 29 students participating. These two events not only provided valuable learning opportunities for students, but also further promoted the internationalization education strategy of the college, helping to cultivate innovative talents with a global perspective.

J.F.Oberlin University Short term Training

From February 3rd to 7th, 2025, 22 students from BNUBS, led by Professor Zhou Jianghua, Director of the MBA Center at Beijing Normal University, and Professor Tian Lu, Admissions Director, went to Tokyo, Japan to participate in the "2025 Winter Short term Training Program" organized by the Comprehensive Research Institute of J.F.Oberlin University in Japan. This training aims to deepen students' understanding of the Japanese economy, culture, and society, and promote academic and cultural exchanges between Chinese and Japanese youth.

The five-day training program is rich in content and diverse in form. The students not only listened to five specialized lectures covering the history of Japanese business management, prospects and topics of Japan's economy and society, the origin and inheritance of Japanese craftsmanship spirit and craftsmanship culture, Japan's aging society, and Sino Japanese business exchanges, but also visited four well-known Japanese companies and institutions, including YKK Manufacturing Museum, Mizuho Bank Headquarters, Netstars (a fintech enterprise), Nichii Home Sugimoto Matsuan. These activities have provided students with a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Japan's economic structure, industrial dynamics, technological innovation, and social issues.

This training is an important part of the comprehensive cooperation agreement between BNUBS and J.F.Oberlin University in Japan, and it is also the first offline exchange program restarted by both sides after the epidemic. In the future, BNUBS will continue to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with well-known overseas universities, build more international learning platforms for students, and cultivate innovative talents with a global perspective.

Professor Zhou Jianghua, Director of the MBA Center, said, "We attach great importance to our cooperation with J.F.Oberlin University in Japan. This training not only provides valuable learning opportunities for students, but also lays a solid foundation for future in-depth cooperation between the two universities. We look forward to conducting more similar exchange activities in the future to jointly promote the internationalization of education.

(Figure 1: Corporate Visit to Mizuho Bank Headquarters)

(Figure 2: NETSTARS Enterprise Visit)

(Figure 3: Issuance of Short term Training Graduation Certificate)

Cambridge University Winter Program Study

From January 13th to 26th, 2025, seven students from the BNUBS, led by Li Jing, Associate Director of the MBA Center, went to Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, UK to participate in a two-week winter camp activity, focusing on the theme of "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Era of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence" for learning and exchange activities.

Combining current artificial intelligence, big data, and their profound impact on enterprise innovation, the University of Cambridge has arranged two courses, "Big Data and AI in Business" and "Strategy&Innovation," with David Stillwell and Shaz Anzari, senior professors at the Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge, as the main lecturers. In order to facilitate a deeper understanding of the course content, seminars and workshops hosted by Cambridge doctoral students were also arranged to focus on specific topics such as the application of artificial intelligence, data analysis, problem discussions, and presentations for learning and communication. Standing at the pinnacle of world education, students here not only acquire knowledge, but also deeply feel the cultivation of critical thinking. Inspiring teaching, independent thinking, encouraging expression, participating in interaction, and teamwork have become the profound impressions of Cambridge courses for students.

In addition to their coursework, students visited numerous colleges at the University of Cambridge, such as King's College, Trinity College, Darwin's College, etc., experiencing the long history and strong academic atmosphere of Cambridge. In addition, we also visited cultural landmarks and events such as the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge University Library, Trinity College Library, Archaeological Museum, Cambridge University Choir, Shakespeare's Play Performance, etc. in Cambridge to learn about British culture and art.

In order to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of British culture and economic development, the winter camp also arranged some field trips around Cambridge during weekends. The classmates visited the British Museum and digital game companies in London, as well as Oxford University and the nearby town of Elly, to personally experience the economic vitality and cultural heritage of Britain.

This winter camp provides students with an opportunity to experience, learn, and communicate at top universities. The students not only had in-depth academic exchanges with teachers and students from Cambridge University, but also established friendships with students from other countries. These cross-cultural communication experiences not only broaden students' international perspectives, but also enhance their cross-cultural communication and understanding abilities, and improve their insight and thinking skills in this rapidly changing world.

(Figure 4: Group photo of teachers and students)

(Figure 5: Students gave course presentations)

(Figure 6: Awarding Graduation Certificate)

Sharing from students:

This study abroad is like an interdisciplinary three-dimensional classroom. I have touched upon the intricate logic of Japanese society, which operates like gears: historical inheritance is not a burden, but a source of inspiration for innovation; Corporate competition is not just about profit, but also about pursuing a closed loop of social value; Even the aging crisis can be transformed into opportunities that define the future. As Chinese youth, we do not need to replicate Japan's path, but its wisdom of "seeking coexistence in contradictions", especially in the handling of technology and humanities, efficiency and temperature, and individual and community relationships, which is all worth exploring... Understanding Japan is not for finding answers, but for thinking more clearly about our problems and possibilities. The biggest takeaway from this trip is learning to view oneself through the lens of the 'other'. When we connect the bricks and tiles of Tokyo Station, the zippers of YKK, the codes of Mizuho, and the smiles of nursing homes, we not only see the face of a country, but also diverse solutions for different civilizations to cope with challenges in the era of globalization. This broad perspective may be the ultimate meaning of studying.

——2024 MBA student, Huang Jinshuang

The most touching thing in the two-week experience was the unique teaching method of Cambridge University. How did Cambridge University become the dream school for many international students? How has education become one of the pillar industries in the UK? The diverse teaching modes of Cambridge University have left a deep impression on me... Not only do the teaching resources and modes have their own characteristics, but Cambridge University also has strict management of academic atmosphere. When introducing Sigh Bridge, the tour guide said: The graduation exams at Cambridge University are very strict, and there is no opportunity for make-up exams or retakes. If students do not perform well in the first exam, they will be brought to Sigh Bridge by their supervisors, warning them to study hard and not slack off.

——2024 MBA student, Zhang Xin

Contributed by Office of International Exchange and Cooperation

Edited by Li Jing, Tian Lu, Shang Yihong

Reviewed by Hu Conghui