UK Frontier Technology Study Tour: Journey to World-Renowned Universities Oxford and Cambridge

(9 days 7 nights)

【Project background】

The UK: Europe's Hub of Technological Innovation

The UK has long been considered Europe's center for technological innovation. It is the birthplace of Alan Turing, the father of artificial intelligence and computer science, and the home of groundbreaking companies like DeepMind, the developer of AlphaGo, and Blippar, a leader in computer vision and augmented reality. This once-great empire is now buzzing with new vitality. Countless angel investors, venture capitalists, and private equity firms flock here, seeking the next disruptive technology.

Cambridge and Oxford: Centers of Global Academia and Technological Innovation

Cambridge and Oxford, both public research universities, follow the traditional collegiate system and are members of the Russell Group. Known as part of the "Golden Triangle" and the "G5" elite universities, Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with Cambridge ranking second. These institutions have produced numerous distinguished personalities and Nobel laureates, securing their positions as world centers for academic culture and technological revolution.

Gain Elite Wisdom, Explore Future Technological Innovations

From the 15th-century "Empire on which the sun never sets" to the 21st-century "European Center for Technological Innovation," the UK has been home to groundbreaking technological advancements—from Alan Turing, the father of artificial intelligence and computer science, to pioneering companies like DeepMind and Blippar. Over £2 billion in venture capital flows into the UK's tech sector annually, fueling the rapid growth of the technology sector. This tour offers you the chance to engage in dialogues with renowned professors and visit government-level research institutions, expanding your global vision!

【Highlights of the Itinerary】

• Visit Three Core Cities in the UK to Experience British Intelligence and Expand Your Global Perspective:

• Cambridge, one of the world's premier academic centers

• Oxford, the historic city and birthplace of the world's top universities

• London, a center of European innovation and one of the world's largest financial hubs

• Personal Visits to Two of the World's Leading Universities, Accounting for 25% of Global Nobel Prizes:

• University of Oxford, ranked first in the 2023 THE World University Rankings

• University of Cambridge, ranked third in the 2023 THE World University Rankings

• Four Major Keynote Sessions with Leading Experts, Sharing Insights on Innovation and Future Opportunities:

• "History of Innovation at Cambridge" – Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and Principal of Jesus College

• "Convergence and Divergence in Long-Term Development between the East and the West" – Professor at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

• "Artificial Intelligence: What More We Need to Know" – Head of the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford

• "Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Times of Uncertainty" – Director of Leadership and Public Policy Program, University of Oxford

• In-depth Visits to Four Leading Technology and Financial Enterprises, Gaining Insights into Industry Prospects:

• The Cavendish Laboratory, one of the world's leading physics research institutions

• Imperial College Data Science Institute, the largest visualization lab in Europe, visited by President Xi Jinping

• Emotech, a renowned European AI company

• Rothschild & Co, a globally prestigious and mysterious financial giant

• One Unique Rowing Leadership Training Session:

• Experience the classic Oxford-Cambridge rowing rivalry and learn leadership skills through team rowing

• Deep Cultural Immersion, Experiencing Rich British Heritage:

• Visit Windsor Castle, the British Museum, Thames River Cruise, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square

【Itinerary arrangement】

Day 1: Shanghai to London

• Full Day: Arrive in London and transfer to Cambridge

• City Tour: Cambridge, the county seat of Cambridgeshire, is home to the University of Cambridge. Although the Romans set up camp here 2,000 years ago, it remained a small rural market town until the establishment of the university. Now, it is a city with a population of 92,000.

Day 2: Cambridge

• Morning: Cambridge University Keynote Session

• Topic: "History of Innovation at Cambridge"

• Speaker: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and Principal of Jesus College

• Learning Outcomes: Understand Cambridge's legacy and sources of innovation

• Course Overview: Collaboration between companies and the university is key at Cambridge. For example, the Cambridge Photonics Research Center conducts strategic research in conjunction with companies involved in the supply chain. Initially, the focus was on university-led research in partnership with enterprises, but now there is a trend toward more industry-integrated research, such as the groundbreaking work in the Computer Science Department with Microsoft.

• Noon: Guided Tour of the University of Cambridge

• Reason for Visit: To experience 800 years of Cambridge's history and understand its academic excellence

• Tour Highlights: The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and houses 15 million books in its library system.

• Afternoon: Cambridge University Keynote Session

• Topic: "Convergence and Divergence in Long-Term Development between the East and the West"

• Speaker: Tenured Professor at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

• Learning Outcomes: Gain a multidimensional understanding of the differences and learnings in the development paths of East and West

• Course Overview: Explore how global challenges—such as environmental degradation, climate change, inequality, and financial regulation—shape the long-term evolution of world civilizations.

  
  

Day 3: Cambridge

• Morning: Business Visit to the Cavendish Laboratory

• Discussion Topic: History, Major Achievements, and New Research Directions of the Cavendish Laboratory

• Learning Outcomes: Understand how technological innovation has transformed human society

• Tour Overview: The Cavendish Laboratory, part of the University of Cambridge, is renowned for its discoveries in fields such as astrophysics, particle physics, solid-state physics, and biophysics.

Afternoon: Rowing Leadership Training and Competition

• Reason for Visit: To experience the spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership

• Overview: Rowing, an ancient sport and one of the earliest Olympic events, attracts both elite professionals and young talents. The annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race is a global spectacle, offering lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and leadership.

Day 4: Cambridge to Oxford

• Morning: Oxford University Keynote Session

• Topic: "Artificial Intelligence: What More We Need to Know"

• Speaker: Head of the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford

• Learning Outcomes: Learn about the latest AI research in the UK and its applications

• Course Overview: According to experts like Kevin Kelly, AI is expected to replace 60% of human jobs within the next decade.

• Noon: Guided Tour of the University of Oxford

• Learning Outcomes: Experience the profound heritage of the oldest university in the English-speaking world

• Tour Highlights: Oxford, a member of the Russell Group and one of the "Golden Triangle" universities, has offered the Rhodes Scholarship since 1902.

• Afternoon: Oxford University Keynote Session

• Topic: "Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Times of Uncertainty"

• Speaker: Director of the Leadership and Public Policy Program, University of Oxford

• Learning Outcomes: New perspectives on organizational change and leadership in the VUCA era

• Course Overview: Explore how to cultivate leadership in an era of digital disruption and uncertainty.

Day 5: London

• Morning: Business Visit to Rothschild & Co

• Learning Outcomes: Learn about the history of the Rothschild family and its wealth management and legacy

• Tour Overview: The Rothschild family, Europe's most prestigious financial dynasty, has influenced European economic and political history for over two centuries.

Afternoon: Business Visit to Emotech

• Learning Outcomes: Understand the latest trends in AI development

• Tour Overview: Emotech, founded in London in 2014, designs AI products for the global market and attracts talent from leading institutions like DeepMind, University College London, Imperial College, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Day 6: London

• Morning: Business Visit to Imperial College Data Science Institute

• Learning Outcomes: Explore the applications and development of data science research

• Tour Overview: Established in 2014, the Imperial College Data Science Institute collaborates with international industry and academia and features Europe's largest data visualization facility.

• Afternoon: Cultural Experience

• Featured Site: The British Museum

• Reason for Visit: Witness some of the world's most precious historical artifacts

• Tour Highlights: Established in 1753, the British Museum is one of the oldest and largest museums in the world, housing over 8 million items.

• Evening: Thames River Night Cruise in London

Day 7: London

• Full Day: Cultural Experience

• Featured Sites: Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square

• Reason for Visit: Witness 1,000 years of British royal history and experience the rich British culture

• Tour Overview: London, the capital of the UK, is a city with a long history and vibrant culture, attracting countless visitors eager to explore its mysteries.

Day8-9 London - Shanghai

Return home, arrive in Shanghai