During the winter break, besides returning home for the Lunar New Year, university students have kept busy with various practical activities. Some have ventured into rural areas to research urban development; others have applied their academic expertise to advise businesses; some have engaged in intangible cultural heritage preservation; and several have traveled abroad to explore global governance mechanisms.
Applying Academic Expertise to Advise Businesses A practical team from the School of Intelligent Technology at Shanghai Institute of Technology visited Xinzhai Village in Baoshan, Yunnan, to conduct field research on the local coffee industry. At the Ruixi Manor in the village, the team observed new coffee varieties developed in collaboration with research institutions. The manager demonstrated a self-developed drying device capable of precise temperature and humidity control to ensure uniform drying of coffee beans. Through discussions, students learned that collaboration between Shanghai and Yunnan has raised the profile of Baoshan coffee, increasing demand for technological support in areas like variety breeding, biological pest control, and deep-processing techniques. The team also noted that local coffee beans were often simply packaged, lacking visual appeal and brand value, which led to price-based competition. Drawing on local natural conditions, ethnic elements, and coffee culture, the students developed visual design solutions—including tote bags and packaging boxes—to revitalize agricultural products and enhance market appeal and added value.
Addressing language service challenges in the cosmetics export sector, a practical team from the School of Foreign Languages at Shanghai Institute of Technology conducted research at Jiahe Yongshun Cosmetics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., located in the Oriental Beauty Valley in Fengxian. Through on-site interviews and data analysis, the team identified common issues faced by companies, such as insufficient website localization, difficulties in cross-cultural marketing, and inefficiencies in adapting to international regulations and label conversions. This presented an opportunity for the university team to leverage its expertise in language and cross-cultural studies to support industrial development. The team plans to systematically integrate its findings to create a language service framework for cosmetics exports, develop multimodal language tools for small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthen collaboration with industrial parks like the Oriental Beauty Valley to promote professional and standardized language services.
Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage to Revitalize Traditional Crafts Students from Shanghai Business School have immersed themselves in intangible cultural heritage preservation, using their professional knowledge and innovative thinking to breathe new life into ancient crafts. In Fengxian, students from the School of Hotel Management focused on the nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage—Fengxian Rolling Lantern—conducting research through field visits and online data mining. The team visited cultural venues, interviewed city-level inheritors, distributed over 200 questionnaires, and preserved valuable living archives. They also analyzed high-engagement content on social media to identify communication challenges and developed creative cultural products based on the rolling lantern. By establishing a dual-platform communication strategy and promoting lightweight participation and digital dissemination, they integrated the traditional art into modern youth culture.
Meanwhile, another team from the School of Hotel Management visited the Yaobanbu (indigo batik) workshop in Anting, Jiading. Under the guidance of inheritors, students experienced the entire printing and dyeing process, from design and plate-making to washing and framing. After creating a "Chinese Zodiac" commemorative photo frame, the team gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. They also designed photo frames incorporating campus elements and a "Falling Cherry Blossoms" pattern for scarves, with plans to introduce Yaobanbu products to the university market.
Going Abroad to Decode Global Governance "How can developing countries build consensus in multilateral trade negotiations and enhance their voice in trade rule-making?" At the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Fu Jiayu, an undergraduate student majoring in international economic and trade rules and a member of Shanghai University of International Business and Economics' winter study tour, posed this question to WTO officials. This winter break, more than 30 students and faculty from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics traveled to Geneva for a 10-day immersive study program at international organizations. Through site visits, specialized courses, and dialogues with officials from institutions such as the WTO, International Labour Organization, International Monetary Fund, and World Intellectual Property Organization, the participants explored the mechanisms of global governance.
During the visit to the WTO, Tania Parcero Herrera, Counsellor of the WTO Legal Affairs Division, explained the underlying logic of rule-making and the challenges and breakthroughs in international cooperation, using recent cases of international trade disputes to illustrate issues like multilateral trade rules, anti-dumping, and anti-subsidy practices. During the Q&A session, students raised questions about the WTO's role in trade policy coordination and international dispute resolution, based on their pre-trip research on foreign-related legal issues.
At the United Nations Environment Programme Geneva Environment Network (UNEP GEN), Stavros Antoniadis, Project Management Director of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and Hannes Mac Nulty, Head of the Green Industry Platform, detailed global ecological governance coordination mechanisms and international cooperation measures to combat illegal wildlife trade. Students actively questioned the officials about technical barriers and developmental disparities among countries in achieving global net-zero goals, receiving detailed responses.
Yang Ruiqi, a student majoring in investment at the School of Finance and Financial Management, remarked, "Previously, we only studied theoretical knowledge in class. Face-to-face exchanges with international officials helped me understand the complexity and urgency of global ecological governance, as well as the importance of technological innovation and international cooperation in achieving net-zero goals."
A separate study tour from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics visited the University of Canterbury in New Zealand for a short-term program. Jiang Xinyu, a participant, documented her unforgettable experience: "From exploring Christchurch and experiencing Māori culture to global leadership courses and sustainability seminars, every moment broadened my horizons. This journey, viewed through an inclusive and open lens, has become a precious part of my growth."
During the two-week immersive program, students visited the HIT Lab NZ, a national human-computer interaction laboratory, where they experienced cutting-edge technologies such as Harry Potter-style flying broomstick simulations, Nova360 spherical simulations, and full-motion cockpit mech battles. The "Sustainable Future Science" course extended beyond the classroom, combining theoretical learning with outdoor practices at the Red Zone and New Brighton Beach, where students discussed ecological and developmental balance amidst sea breezes and sunshine. In AI art classes, students explored creative possibilities, while project collaborations with UC student mentors enhanced both academic and teamwork skills through hands-on practice from conception to execution.
Students also visited a national Māori meeting house, participating in a traditional welcome ceremony, experiencing the hongi (nose-pressing greeting), and learning about Māori dances and songs. Through stories shared by tribal elders, they gained insights into the Māori philosophy of coexisting with nature. Activities such as Waka (Māori canoe) races on the Avon River, exploring weekend markets in Christchurch, and hiking in Riccarton Forest allowed students to experience the city's cultural pulse. During the project presentation session, students delivered academic pitches in English and confidently responded to judges' questions. At the closing ceremony, the University of Canterbury awarded certificates to all participants, concluding a memorable study tour.
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