Foreign Innovation and Entrepreneurship Camp

Group photo after the opening ceremony at CFAU 

The 2nd Foreign Innovation and Entrepreneurship Camp was organised by CFAU-Bauhinia Valley Innovation and Development Training Center (CFAU-BVIDTC) at China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) from 9 April 2018 to 20 April 2018.

With the aim of encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among the trainees through CFAU’S characteristic disciplines and courses by renowned scholars and experts, the event attracted the participation of 42 young enterprises personnel, university students and academic staff from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Malaysia.

UTAR Faculty of Creative Industries’ Department of Mass Communication Head Dr Lim Chai Lee and Faculty of Arts and Social Science’s Department of Public Relations Head Dr Noew Hooi San who attended the event, said that they were not only exposed to the development and the scope of Belt and Road Initiative but also learnt a lot about the relevant standards and policy concerning the foreign relations of China. There were about 20 lectures, seminars and sharing sessions conducted by top-notch speakers from China which impressed them the most.

“The camp exceeded our expectation for it was absolutely insightful and we genuinely enjoyed each and every moment of it although we were assigned with assignments for competition, discussion and presentation on a daily basis,” told Dr Lim and Dr Noew. They also thanked UTAR and the Division of Community and International Networking for giving them the opportunity to learn from the camp.

The renowned scholars and veteran officials who serve as instructors for the camp were Assistant President CFAU Gao Fei, Secretary of Party Committee Ambassador Yuan Nansheng, China Association of International Business Negotiation (CAIBN) Chen Da, Former Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson Yang Yujun, the Chinese Consulate in Marseille Song Binglin, Research Fellow of National Institute of International Strategy (NIIS) Prof Wang Yuzhu, Assistant Prof of International Political Economy in the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China Dr Li Wei and many more. 

                                    Team-building activities at China Movie Park, Beijing         

Visitation to Innoz Incubation Center (left) and Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse

Apart from lectures, they visited the China Movie Park for team-building activities, Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, and Innoz Incubation Center in Beijing. They were also required to develop and execute a business plan and earn as much as they can in seven days. Symposiums and training on Belt and Road Initiative, foreign relations of China, business negotiation, etiquette and debate were also conducted during the event. On the last day, six groups participated in a Diplomatic Etiquette Contest where they were required to answer quizzes about foreign affairs and diplomatic etiquette as well as participate in a mock press conference to discuss current issues.

Dr Lim (forth from left) receiving Outstanding Group award from Song (third from left), while her group members (from left) Lin Longpin from Macau, Xiang Jin from China, Dr Noew, Chen Hui from Taiwan, Tong Weng Pak from Macau, Chen Cai Hong from Taiwan look on

Dr Lim (centre) with CFAU School of International Education Dean Yuan Li (second from left) and other Outstanding Participants award recipients

During the closing ceremony, three awards were given to participants who showed great efforts throughout the programme. Dr Lim and Dr Noew, together with another five group members from China, Macao and Taiwan, were awarded as the Outstanding Group and Champion for Diplomatic Etiquette Contest. Dr Lim was also nominated and awarded as one of the six Outstanding Participants out of 42 participants.

CFAU-BVIDTC is a joint undertaking by CFAU and Bauhinia Valley Development Center (BVDC). It was established under the care and the support of CFAU leaders and Chen Jingwei, member of the Board of CFAU, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), Chairman and President of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), Hong Kong and Chairman of the Board of Hongkong King Wai Group.