A training program of integrated management courses for MBA candidates of the German Advanced Institute of Economics was held by Shanghai Administration Institute from Sept.16 to Sept.24, 2017.Its the 11th year that the program was held at SAI. Vice President ZENG Jun met the members in the company of heads of the Foreign Affairs Division and Training Division, and attended the closing ceremony, at which he exchanged views with the members about the program and presented program-completion certificates to them. 

    At the opening ceremony, Peter Ruckmann, head of the German group and a professor of German Advanced Institute of Economics, addressed the audience on behalf of the group, thanked SAI for its thoughtful arrangements on the program and said he was happy to visit SAI again. According to him, its the 11th year that the institute held a program at SAI and the second time he led a group to SAI. The number of the members is not big this time, but they are young and have a strong thirst for knowledge. Some are already intermediate leaders at local companies, and some will even take senior posts. Everyone is eager to know more about China and hopes to know more about Chinas national conditions, economy, politics, culture and many other aspects. Most members had a basic knowledge of China before, but they hope to get a more in-depth and full understanding and share their thoughts in the training.                         

    ZENG Jun said at the closing ceremony that after hearing the members’feedback on the courses, he felt that everyone benefited a lot from the short-term program and the biggest gain was “seeing is believing”, which is why country-to-country and people-to-people exchange is important. Shanghai does not necessarily represent the whole country, as on the vast land of China there are still underdeveloped places. But Shanghai is an epitome that stands for the image of the rising China. It is the radical changes over the past 30 years that lead to what we see today in China. China is still developing, and lags behind such developed countries as Germany in many aspects such as education, innovation, industrial manufacturing and ecological environment. So we need to study and make further improvement. But we are confident and resolved that we can do better in the future and we welcome you to visit China and make investigation in Shanghai more often.

    The training adopted three methods: themed lectures, on-site teaching and discussion. The contents included economic and social development, political and cultural building, and urban planning and governance, etc. The members listened to courses on special topics such as traditional Chinese culture, Chinas modern political system, Chinas auto industry, Chinas economic situation and the Belt and Road program, went to Chinese Wushu Museum to experience Chinese kung fu, visited Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. and the deepwater harbor Yangshan Harbor to know about the status quo of the development of Chinas manufacturing industry, investigated National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (Shanghai) Pilot Zone and Shanghai WGP Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. to feel the development of artificial intelligence and Shanghais smart city building, and headed to Xuhui Riverside Innovation & Culture Base to study Shanghai Municipal Governments measures on cultural industry, etc.

    Impressed by the courses, the members said, “There is so much information provided in such a short time. All the teachers speak openly and discuss with us about various issues, giving us a rough idea of Chinese culture, Chinas economic development and many other aspects. We have developed a clearer and full understanding of China and the contrast between China and Germany”, “The program is well-organized and orderly. Theories and practices are well integrated.” and “Hopefully, more of such activities will be held to strengthen the ties between China and Germany”.