This semester, with the close cooperation and support of Audencia Business School in Nantes, France, and Business France (the business investment agency of the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou), Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute (SAFTI) arranged for students to visit five leading enterprises: BYD Company Limited (BYD), Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (DJI), UBTECH Robotics Corp Ltd. (UBTECH), Guangdong Tuya Smart Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Tuya), and Shenzhen Sanofi Pasteur Biological Products Co., Ltd. (Sanofi) in Shenzhen in October and November.
Spanning China's top tech companies and a world leading French multinational, these visits offered students a chance to transcend the classroom and interface with the vanguard of industry, creating a superb platform to immerse in Chinese and international business settings and corporate cultures.
On the afternoons of October 11 and 18, 80 students visited BYD, a world leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, in Pingshan District of Shenzhen. Led by Zoe, a manager at BYD's International Cooperation Division, the students entered BYD's exhibition hall. They observed BYD's cutting-edge technology displayed on the striking "Technology Reigns, Innovation as Foundation" patent wall. With the detailed explanations from the guide, they learned about BYD's iconic products like DM-i Super Hybrid System, Blade Battery, DiPilot Advanced Driving Assistance System, SkyShuttle, and SkyRail, and witnessed BYD's comprehensive industrial chain from battery production to vehicle manufacturing. They experienced BYD's commitment to "safety, intelligence, and efficiency" in fully automated operations, three-dimensional transportation solutions, and forward-looking systems. Subsequently, the students rode on BYD's distinctive SkyShuttle transportation system in its park, experiencing BYD's eco-friendly transportation solutions and the convenience and environmental benefits of future mobility solutions firsthand.
On the morning of October 23 and the afternoon of November 20, 60 students, in groups, visited DJI, a leader in the global drone industry. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, DJI has a global presence with offices across the world and a business footprint in over 100 countries and regions. The company has evolved from drone systems to a broad product suite, emerging as a world leader in drones and handheld imaging systems, and has redefined the concept of "Made in China" with its cutting-edge technological products.
In the drone exhibition hall, Song Yifan, DJI's Director of Education and Business, provided a personal walkthrough for the students, offering insights into the innovative progression of drone technology, and showcasing DJI's sophisticated drone systems and their broad applications across various sectors including photography, agriculture, and geospatial mapping. Then, the studentshadan in-depth conversation with Song in a meeting room, discussing the integration of education and technology, which provided the students with a clearer perspective on future tech trends.
On the afternoon of November 18, over 20 students visited UBTECH, a leader in humanoid robotics. UBTECH is a global high-tech innovator that specializes in the R&D of AI and humanoid robots, the development and application of platform software, and product sales. It is China's first "National High-Tech Enterprise" that possesses independent intellectual property rights and has achieved large-scale industrialization of intelligent robots,has beenlisted among "Guangdong's first key robot enterprises" and is entrusted with numerous key technology research and development projects for intelligent robots.
In UBTECH's exhibition hall, the students had an intimate encounter with a variety of impressive humanoid robot technologies, including the panda robot "Youyou" and various intelligent service robots. The guide detailed the practical applications of these robots across sectors such as education, elderly care, and logistics, sparking the students' enthusiasm for the future of AI. Following the tour, the students had a dialogue with Qin Xiaojun, Sales Director of UBTECH, learning about the company's development strategy and future plan.
On the afternoon of November 21, over 20 students visited the smart home platform - Tuya in Qianhai, Shenzhen. Tuya stands as a world leading cloud platform service provider, delivering comprehensive solutions across smart homes, intelligent communities, and the industrial IoT. Leveraging its proprietary cloud development platform, the company offers an array of products and services, including PaaS, SaaS, and intelligent solutions, energizing a global developer ecosystem that encompasses brands, OEMs, AI agents, system integrators, and ISVs. This ecosystem aids in the digital transformation and the realization of intelligent living for both enterprises and consumers.
Archi, who oversees the European market for Tuya, demonstrated to the students how the company facilitatedthe connectivity and interoperability of smart devices across different brands and product categories through its platform, with a particular focus on smart commercial lighting and offices, as well as smart hotels and apartments. At Tuya's Matter China Experience Hall, the students gained a direct sense of the Matter China ecosystem and, through various practical and engaging smart home scenarios within the hall, experienced the convenience and comfort of smart home technology. This exposure underscored the extensive potential of IoT applications in everyday life.
On the afternoon of November 29, over 10 teachers and students visited Sanofi's Greater Bay Area International Vaccine Innovation Centre for an educational experience. This center marks the first vaccine museum in China, a collaborative effort between the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and Sanofi. Sanofi, a globally leading French pharmaceutical and health company in vaccine research, development and production, grew from the Pasteur Institute established in 1885 to become the world's third-largest pharmaceutical enterprise and the top-ranked pharmaceutical company in Europe.
At the center's exhibition hall, the guide took the students through the extensive history of human disease prevention and the challenges that modern technology facedin combating epidemics. By observing a simulated vaccine production line, the students gained insights into Sanofi's exceptional achievements in vaccine R&D, manufacturing, and global distribution, enhancing their understanding of the stringent standards within the pharmaceutical industry. Following the visit, Sherry, the operations manager at the center, engaged in a face-to-face dialogue with the students, discussing foreign enterprise operations, multicultural integration, and other relevant topics. Addressing the students' common interests in internships and recruitment, Sherry shared her extensive experience, providing unique workplace insights and valuable suggestions, and encouragedthestudents to be adventurous and bold in their career choices.
Through the corporate visits, the students not only witnessed the operational models and innovative strengths of leading companies, but also had the chance to communicate directly with their management, thereby gaining a deeper comprehension of the companies' strategic thinking and market positioning. These visits expanded the students' horizons and enriched their knowledge, and more importantly, sparked their enthusiasm for technological innovation.
