It is the birthplace of Artificial Intelligence and the wind vane of global technological innovation.

Here is a rich historical and cultural accumulation, charming natural scenery and gentleman culture.

This is the final destination of the April 2024 Huazhu International Overseas Study Tour - a country where modernity and tradition merge: the United Kingdom.

The 6-day ‘UK Centenary Heritage and Innovation Tour’ has finally come to a perfect end!

A group of more than 40 participants from Huazhou International went into Cambridge and Oxford Universities to experience the original university campus life; on the leisurely oars and rippling Corn River, on the most beautiful countryside road, and at the Rothschild Manor, they felt the inheritance and innovation of the human civilisation of England and the globe; in the experience of the tanks of the iron armour roaring, they inspired the courage and united the team strength; in the face-to-face communication with the scholars and professors, they worked together to Discuss the possibilities of future innovative education and the road of international branding for Chinese enterprises.

Oxbridge Masterclass

Experience the original British education

* The University of Cambridge, along with the University of Oxford, are two of the UK's outstanding universities and world research universities.

1 University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second oldest surviving university in the world. It is known as the ‘Cradle of Geniuses and Prime Ministers’. Oxford has trained 6 British kings, 26 British prime ministers (including Gladstone, Adderley, Margaret Thatcher and Blair), many foreign heads of government (such as the former U.S. President Bill Clinton), 72 Nobel Prize winners, and a large number of famous scientists, such as the economist Adam Smith, the philosopher Bacon, the poet Shelley, the writer Greene, the chemist Robert Boyle, the astronomer Harley, and so on. The University of Oxford has contributed to the development of human civilisation. The University of Oxford has made significant contributions to the development and progress of human civilisation.

2 University of Cambridge

Following Oxford, the University of Cambridge is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world. During the past 800 years, it has produced a number of era-leading scientific giants such as Newton and Darwin, outstanding scholars of literature and history such as Bacon and Keynes, and 15 British Prime Ministers, 120 Nobel Prize laureates, 11 Fields Medal winners, and 7 Turing Award winners.

As the ‘pillars of the nation’ of the UK, both are ancient, but at every point in history, they have always been young and vibrant. In the new wave of technological innovation, Oxbridge continues to be at the forefront of future technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, new materials and life sciences. 

In this 6-day programme, we have invited renowned scholars and professors from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge to tailor-make courses in business and management. We adopt a full English teaching format and encourage participants to actively interact with each other, combining group discussions, speeches, debates and other forms to experience the original British education.

Share I

Tiny Cambridge contributes 15.8% of the UK's GDP because we insist on this one thing ......

Professor Lan

Former Principal Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge

Cambridge is a very special place, 17 science parks covering many industries, more than 26,000 companies, more than 20,000 postdocs work here, accounting for 15.8% of the UK's GDP.

Cambridge's achievements are inextricably linked to its unique and innovative teaching and learning model. University education in Cambridge is divided into three areas: firstly, Desirability. In areas such as sport, the arts and humanities, we focus on developing emotions. The second is Feasibility. In engineering and science, we encourage students to actively explore the feasibility and logic of events. The third is Viability. In business and economics, we focus on business substance and productivity. For practical projects, it is only through the collaboration of all three that the possibilities for innovation can be enhanced, forming a virtuous circle of ‘demand-investment-technological improvement (cost reduction)’.

The key to innovation is to find new technologies, but there is still a gap between technology development and technology application. We encourage entrepreneurship among university students and set up business clubs for graduates to lower the barriers to innovation. Secondly, we are flexible and collaborative, establishing deep partnerships with companies, laboratories and research institutes.

We believe that this is a great time for new technologies, and that only through strategic focus and strong partnerships with stakeholders can we make innovation happen.

Share II

Professor Chris

Head of the Professor's Entrepreneurial Learning Programme, Ja Business School, University of Cambridge

For the second session in Cambridge, we had an in-depth conversation with Prof Chris. The professor not only shared his entrepreneurial experience in the 90's, but also combined his in-depth research on innovation and entrepreneurship academics after his MBA degree to bring us insights on the sustainability and profitability of a business and the transformation of business models.

Professor Chris's opening statement was impressive: ‘The rich experience of entrepreneurship is a solid foundation for my journey towards academic research.’ His experience taught us that the combination of theory and practice is the key to understanding the full picture of entrepreneurship.

When discussing how to keep a company sustainably profitable, the professor proposed a series of strategies including but not limited to innovation, cost control and market positioning. He emphasised that ‘sustainable profitability is not just a numbers game, it's a strategic mindset.’

The professor also delved into how to transform an entrepreneurial idea into a viable business model, mentioning, ‘Innovation in business models is the key to adapting to market changes and achieving growth.’

When analysing the management strategies of CEOs of successful companies, Professor Chris particularly emphasised the importance of ‘change’: ‘The element of “change” plays a central role in driving the development of an enterprise. The element of ‘change’ plays a central role in driving the development of a business.’ Through case studies, he demonstrated the importance of adapting flexibly to market changes.

Participants interacted actively during the exchange session and said that the professor's sharing gave them a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship. One participant shared his insight: ‘Today's exchange made me realise that entrepreneurship is not only about pursuing short-term profits, but also about how to build a long-term profitable and sustainable business model.’

In a place full of history and academic atmosphere like Cambridge, we not only learnt knowledge, but also felt the inheritance and innovation of entrepreneurial spirit. The professor's lecture inspired our passion for entrepreneurship and showed us the way forward.

Sharing III

How many of your customers have had your brand symbol made into a tattoo on their body...

Eden

Associate Professor, Department of Business and Marketing, Kaji Business School, University of Cambridge

Co-Director, China Centre for Management Studies

Fellow of St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge

Changes, shocks, cycles, we are in an era of uncertainty and change, the ‘Age of Rapids’. In the face of an increasingly complex business environment, companies can no longer think traditionally about brand marketing. To build strong brands, brand strategy must be elevated to the level of organisational strategy.

On the second day in Cambridge, we listened to the wonderful sharing of Dr Eden from the Department of Marketing, Kaji Business School, University of Cambridge, UK.

Dr Eden's teaching style was different from the previous two teachers, after explaining the requirements and tasks, the students carried out their own group discussions and consulted the teacher with their questions before giving a unified explanation.

The new teaching mode made the students a bit uncomfortable at the beginning, but as the process progressed, the students who gradually clarified this learning style showed full energy and interest, and eventually, under the continuous communication and discussion with the teacher and the cooperation of the group students, they successfully completed the off-script speech, which was highly recognised and praised by the teachers present.

Dr Eden shared in the group discussion: ‘Brand is actually the energy in users’ mind that drives them to make a purchase. The higher the brand energy, the higher the potential energy, and the stronger the brand will be in order to cross the cycle and achieve long-term healthy development. A brand with high potential energy is also highly resilient, and behind a highly resilient brand is a highly resilient organisation. In essence, to build a brand is to build the organisational capacity of the company.’

Sharing IV

Oxford Certificate

Disruptive innovation refers to the traditional innovation, destructive innovation and micro-innovation on the basis of quantitative change leads to qualitative change, from gradual change to the ultimate achievement of subversion, through innovation, to achieve from the original model, completely metamorphosed into a new model and a new value chain.

For example, the development of computers from large volume to the current development history of laptops; and Apple mobile phone annual iterative update is a good example of continuous innovation, which provides a continuous driving force for the development and improvement of products and services. Professor John took the Chinese government's social management as an example, China's reform and opening up in the way of concentrating power to do big things, planning and market simultaneously, in the efficiency of innovation for the world's economic development to innovate a different road.

Professor John introduced the topic of the impact of disruptive innovation on the world's banking industry, giving inspirational guidance on how to enable people to develop new business models. At the same time, Professor John is very optimistic about China's prospects, he believes that China's perfect basic education will play an advantage in the future, leading a new generation of entrepreneurs to break through the technological barriers of the developed countries, disruptive thinking in the field of business, self-revolutionary, and will make complex and expensive products and services become cheap and simple.

Sharing V

Professor Alan

Director of the Leadership and Public Policy Programme, University of Oxford

Associate Professor, University of Oxford, UK

Member of the Royal Society of Arts

Professor Alan is not only the Director of the Leadership and Public Policy Programme at the University of Oxford's Department of Further Education, but also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and his courses are full of insight and practical guidance.

At the beginning of the course, Professor Alan raised questions about globalisation, exploring the role of the media and key topics such as trust and the nature of leadership. The professor distinguished between the multiple dimensions of leadership: as a position, as a personal trait, as a result and as a process. In particular, it was pointed out that leadership was not only a relational concept, but should not be seen as a possession. 

In discussing different aspects of leadership, the professor emphasized the difference between a leader and a manager or boss, and introduced the concept of "collective leadership," emphasizing the importance of collective decision-making such as cabinet accountability and the Politburo. It also mentions the charisma and emotional connection of leadership, and the importance of standing on the shoulders of those who came before.

The course also delve into the practice of leadership, including leadership styles (such as autocratic, laissez-faire, and democratic), and the characteristics of transformative leadership. The professor uses real-world examples, such as a survey of acceptance at a nuclear waste site, to show how leadership works in the real world.

In addition, the course addresses the rise of artificial intelligence and its challenges for leadership, including the potential misuse of AI and its impact on human society. The professor presents a meditation on the future structure of society, including concepts such as fatalism, hierarchy, militarization, and egalitarianism.

In discussing leadership in crisis, the professor emphasized the nature of authority and how to build trust in 21st century society. Quoting Hannah Arendt, he discusses the difference between authority and coercion and persuasion, and emphasizes that authority must be earned, not merely exercised through rules and procedures.

In addition, the course emphasizes the importance of communicative leadership, pointing out that leadership is a virtue acquired through leadership practice and learning from experience, not just through skills training. The professor mentioned the importance of the art of communication and how to build a leadership presence through belief, commitment and responsibility.

Through this course, participants will be able to gain an in-depth understanding of the complexities and challenges of 21st century leadership and learn how to be effective leaders in a rapidly changing world. Csi students are inspired by Professor Alan's valuable knowledge and explore how these ideas can be applied to their own leadership practices.

02

Tank Leadership Reunion in the Roar of Ironclads

During this time, participants also went to the UK's largest Tank Driving Experience School for leadership group building, which is the only school in the UK to offer full-day tank driving experiences and activities, with nearly 30 years of industry experience and more than 150 tanks and military vehicles!

At the beginning of the activity, we divided into three groups according to the plan, and each group demonstrated a high level of teamwork. During the intense preparation phase, the team members actively communicated and jointly developed strategies, and everyone contributed to the team's victory.

In the tank driving competition, each group of students demonstrated excellent handling ability and quick understanding of tactics. The Frisbee session tested everyone's accuracy and reaction speed. Every successful hit is a perfect combination of teamwork and individual skills. The process of disarming and loading the gun is the climax of the event. Here, speed is as important as accuracy. Students race against time to complete the dismantling and loading of guns at the fastest speed, and attention to detail and operational proficiency are particularly critical in this process.

After a fierce competition, we finally competed for the crown and the third place. Every participant was fully committed and showed great strength and team spirit. In addition, the Tank School awarded certificates to the winning teams in recognition of their good performance.

03

Experience the depth of British culture

In the "British century-old Heritage and Innovation Journey" of HCI, in addition to the highly valuable ox and sword master class and the exciting tank leadership group construction activities, we also immersed in a rich cultural experience.

At the University of Cambridge, we are privileged to experience the traditional high table dinner, which is not only a feast for the palate, but also an opportunity to learn more about the academic traditions and social etiquette of Cambridge. At the dinner, we followed the ancient tradition of wearing formal clothes, experienced the formal and solemn dining atmosphere, and felt the dignity and honor of the academic palace.

Ox Sword is full of wisdom as he walks into the Eagle Pub near Cambridge University for dinner, where the mottled walls are covered with photographs from different periods, showing the pub's rich and proud past.

A metal plaque hanging on one wall reads: "On February 28, 1953, Crick and Watson announced here that they had discovered the mystery of life - the double helix structure of DNA." More than 70 years ago today, on February 28, 1953, two young scientists from Cambridge University, Watson and Crick, walked into the Eagle Pub and announced that they had discovered "the mystery of life." The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA is arguably the most important achievement of biology in the 20th century, marking the birth of molecular biology. They were also awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery.

We visited the historic Rothschild estate, home not only to spectacular architecture and a fine art collection, but also to the rise and fall of a financial empire. Walking in the manor, we have a more profound understanding of European history and culture.

These cultural experiences not only enriched our trip, but also broadened our horizons and gave us a deeper understanding and feeling of British and even European culture.

Oxford certificate

Cambridge certificate

Then the tour ends in a joyful closing ceremony! On this learning trip, the Chinese international students also received certificates from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. I hope that long after, when we look back on the past, we will still feel that these years are shining and irreplaceable.