The SMU-ZJU DBA (Accounting and Finance) Programme Study Trip in Shanghai
From 14th to 15th October, 2021, SMU Associate Professor of Accounting Yue Heng, and Mr Guo Xiangyu, the president of SMU Shanghai Alumni Chapter led a group of over 40 participants of the SMU-ZJU DBA (Accounting and Finance) programme on a two-day study trip to Shanghai.
The study trip opened with a visit to the the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Shanghai where the programme participants were warmly received by the Consul General Chua Teng Hoe, Deputy Consul General Tham Wanrong and the staff of the Consulate. The staff of the Consulate organised a candid dialogue with the DBA participants on the topics of economy, culture and relationships between China and Singapore, and hosted the participants to a tea session featuring Singaporean cuisine to provide their guests a sample of the rich flavours of Singapore.
Consul General Chua Teng Hoe and Deputy Consul General Tham Wanrong gave an in-depth introduction to the current trade exchanges and business cooperation between China and Singapore, and made detailed arrangements for the docking of specific projects. I looked forward to the continued cooperation between China and Singapore.”
Dong Yueying, Equity Partner of Beijing DENTONS(Shanghai) Law Firm (DBA 2020)
Following the visit to the Consulate, the DBA students and SMU Shanghai alumni were invited to attend the "Digital Transformation Forum" jointly organised by the SMU-ZJU DBA programme office and the SMU Shanghai Alumni Chapter.
Professor Chen Xia, director of SMU-ZJU DBA programme delivered the opening speech, which touched on the significance of the digital transformation alumni forum, and expressed the hope that the forum would inspire DBA students and SMU alumni in their studies and careers.
The forum also featured speakers including Mr Feng Lei, Chairman of Nanhu 1024 Digital Industry Foundation and President of Carnegie Mellon Shanghai Alumni Association, and Ms.Tan Lee Lee, Head of China, Director, Business Advisory of StoneForest, who shared their views on the topic of digital transformation. The event closed with a panel discussion consisting of SMU Shanghai alumni and our DBA students Ge Wenzhi, Zhao Qingyang and Wang Gongwei who shared the pain points they encountered during enterprise digital transformation and the best practices they have since adopted in their respective organisations.
At the welcome dinner the same evening, Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU, sent her greetings in a pre-recorded message, affirming the important role that the SMU-ZJU DBA joint programme plays in the University's Vision 2025. As she concluded her message, Prof Kong struck a chord with the audience when she shared a personal anecdote that reflected her personal affinity for the city of Shanghai.
Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor Cheng Qiang, Dean of SMU School of Accountancy (SoA), also delivered a speech remotely in a live webcast. He highlighted the achievements of SoA over the past 20 years and expressed his hope that the SMU-ZJU DBA programme will continue to develop and contribute further to the the strong ties between China and Singapore in the future.
Generously supported by the Singapore Global Network and SingCham Shanghai, the dinner also hosted distinguished guests, including Consul-General Mr Chua Teng Hoe, Deputy Consul-General Ms Tham Wanrong, Singapore Global Network Regional Director Mr Koi Foong Ho, SingCham Shanghai Chairperson Ms Kng Hwee Tin and other representatives of Singapore government and enterprises, many SMU alumni and all DBA students.
The second day of DBA Shanghai study trip opened with an exclusive site visit to the headquarters of Sensetime, the world's largest AI unicorn. Dr Xu Li, CEO of Sensetime hosted the DBA participants on a tour around its premises and introduced Sensetime and its operations.
Following the site visit, the DBA participants attended the Singapore-China Entrepreneurs Dialogue seminar at DBS China Headquarters in Lujiazui, where senior department leaders and economists of DBS shared their thoughts on the international economic situation and domestic capital market dynamics.
“Through the visit to Sensetime and DBS bank, I gained a new understanding of the progress and iteration of science and technology, as well as the innovation of financial services. It has strengthened our willingness to embrace the use of technology in finance.”
Zhu Jianmin, Vice President of LOGAN Group (DBA 2019 student)
With the conclusion of the Singapore-China Entrepreneurs Dialogue Seminar, the two-day study trip came to a close. Many of the DBA participants found the trip to Shanghai very fruitful, and they hoped that there would be similar activities in the future.
“We would like to thank SMU and the Shanghai Alumni Association for organizing this event in Shanghai, which provided us with an opportunity to meet outstanding alumni in Shanghai, and allowed students from the three cohorts of SMU-ZJU DBA to gather together in Shanghai.
This activity greatly deepened the interactive learning among the alumni. We hope that through the joint efforts of the alumni, we can contribute to the further cooperation and exchanges between China and Singapore.”
Xu Tao, founder and CEO of Zhejiang IDEATECH Co., LTD. (DBA 2020 student)