Over the winter break, the School of Economics and Management and the School of Chinese Education collaboratively orchestrated a series of social practice initiatives centered around the theme, "Understanding and Embracing China - Exploring Chinese Culture and Development" within the "Doctoral Program for Business Administration International Students." This undertaking garnered robust support from the School of Chinese Education and was spearheaded by Professor Liu Yingqi from the Department of Enterprise Management, alongside Gu Lin, the counselor for international students in the Doctoral Program of Business Administration under the Ministry of Commerce. Noteworthy participation was observed from faculty members and leaders of both the School of Economics and Management and the School of Chinese Education during these hands-on activities.

On January 4th, students embarked on visits to historical landmarks such as Qianmen, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Jingshan. This marked the inaugural visit to China for many international students, providing them with a profound experience of traditional Chinese culture and the historical evolution of Beijing. Specially arranged English interpreters facilitated the students' engagement, with many expressing admiration for the awe-inspiring ancient Chinese architecture. These practical visits deepened the international students' holistic understanding of Chinese history and culture, sparking a newfound interest in Chinese cultural nuances.

On January 13th, students explored Yiwen Castle within Beijing Yuanbo Garden. Ms. Tao Yue from Yiwen Group Business School delved into the business layout and development trajectory of Yiwen Group, guiding the students through the Yiwen Castle Cultural Exhibition Area. The students then ventured into the "Deep Mountain Market" China-Chic Cultural Reception Hall, predominantly influenced by Yiwen Group. Here, they immersed themselves in a cultural and artistic space shaped by the intersection of ancient arts and modern industries from various regions and nationalities in China. During the visit, Ms. Wen Wei, Vice President of Yiwen Group, shared insights on the theme, "From the Value of Business to the Meaning of Life." Professor Liu Yingqi employed on-site case discussions using visiting enterprises as examples, prompting lively exchanges with international students. The students actively posed questions and engaged in discussions regarding development strategy planning, profit models, production management methods, and other enterprise-related concerns. Concluding the event, international students participated in a DIY project involving pattern hot stamping, printing traditional Chinese ethnic patterns on T-shirts to create personalized fashion pieces.

In recent years, the School of Economics and Management has accorded significant importance to matters pertaining to international students and has undertaken nearly one-third of the training responsibilities for international students in our school. The "Doctoral Program for Business Administration International Students" stands as the inaugural doctoral program undertaken by our school under the Ministry of Commerce's Foreign Aid Advanced Degree Education Special Program. This program, operating under a project-based system, enrolls foreign students pursuing doctoral degrees following multiple rounds of interviews and assessments. The first cohort of foreign doctoral students is slated to enroll in the autumn semester of 2022. To further augment students' practical capabilities, instill the application of management theories and methods to address issues in enterprise management practice, and employ innovative problem-solving approaches, the college has incorporated a social practice component, "Understanding and Embracing China," in the training plan. This initiative allows students to step outside the confines of the classroom, broaden their horizons, enhance their skills, and establish a practical foundation for future scientific research.