From November 15-18, 2024, as part of the “China Studies: Industry, Society, and Culture” and “Logistics and Supply Chain Management” courses, instructor Prof. Wei Zhang, along with Prof. Ye Cheng and Prof. Simin Huang, and students from the Department of Industrial Engineering and beyond, embarked on an Immersion Class to Shandong, China. This trip provided a unique opportunity to experience China’s advancements firsthand, exploring its rich history, thriving industries, and vibrant society. By blending academic knowledge with real-world insights, students gained a deeper understanding of China’s development and cultural heritage.

Day 1

The journey began with the iconic Temple of Confucius. This historical site offered a glimpse into the enduring teachings of Confucius and their influence on Chinese culture and values, which remain significant even today. The day continued with a visit to Shandong Liancheng Precision Manufacturing Co., Ltd., where students witnessed cutting-edge precision equipment manufacturing, demonstrating China’s commitment to technological innovation in modern industries.

Discovering History and Innovation: Students Visit the Confucius Temple and Liancheng Precision Manufacturing.

Day 2

The group travelled to Linyi, beginning with the Revolutionary Memorial Hall. This experience highlighted significant moments in China's modern history and its journey of resilience. The itinerary then moved to LinGong Group, a leader in heavy machinery production that showcased its focus on digital storages and robotic arms for autonomous production. At Chun Guang Technology, students explored the production of magnetic powders essential to electronics, from solar panels to telecommunications, underscoring the diversity and significance of such advancements.

Students at the Revolutionary Memorial Hall, LinGong Group and Chun Guang Technology

Day 3

Linyi’s industrial strength and its impact on China’s economy took center stage. At Wudeli Group Linyi Flour Co., Ltd., students were impressed by the production of 80,000 tons of flour daily, reflecting the scale and efficiency of China’s food supply chain. Wanhua Hexiang Panel Industry introduced innovations in wooden panel production and home interior solutions. The visit to Shandong Shunhe International Smart Logistics Park showcased Linyi’s reputation as China’s “Capital of Logistics,” while Xinminghui Smart Warehousing and Logistics Park demonstrated the role of digital systems in revolutionizing the PPE supply chain.

A Journey Through Wudeli Flour Group, Wanhua Hexiang, SEAMRAY Logistics Park and Shunhe International Logistics

Day 4

The final day commenced with a visit to Adopt a Cow in Pingyi County, where students marvelled at Asia’s most efficient automated milking system capable of milking 1,200 cows per hour. The company’s rigorous product standards, often exceeding EU regulations, illustrated China’s commitment to quality and efficiency. Then students visited the People’s Hospital of Pingyi County, a vital healthcare provider for the local community. Discussions about its healthcare services highlighted the critical role of such facilities in society. The journey ended with the group boarding a high-speed train back to Beijing, reflecting on the technological marvels they had witnessed throughout the trip.

Exploring Innovation and Community Care: Visiting at Adopt a Cow and the People’s Hospital of Pingyi County

The Shandong Immersion Class was a transformative journey, blending visits to industrial hubs, historical sites, and community discussions to explore China’s industry, society, and culture. These experiences deepened students’ understanding of China’s global role and enriched their academic and career perspectives.

Student Voice

“The trip to Shandong province was a great experience. Over the 4-day trip, we visited over 6 different companies and cultural sites giving us a feeling for the traditional roots and modern values in China. Being able to ask questions about the different production environments and seeing the scale at which goods are produced, inspired the engineer in me. At the same time, we were given enough free time to take in the environment and experience a more rural version of China compared to Beijing.

After this trip, I feel like I have seen another version of China that I hadn't experienced before.”

---Milan(米知好), 2024 IMEM Program, from Germany

“Shandong immersion class is actually way much better than what I expected. The schedule is packed with lots of interesting places and factories to visit which I feel very enthusiastic about. I believed many people who came to this class have learned a lot of knowledge that are very valuable to their life and I also think that this is one of my greatest choices to be part of this class.”

---Dune(黄东阳), Exchange student from Chulalongkorn University

Writer: Wei Feng Tan

Photographer: Rui Lu, Haitao Wang

Reviewers: Liang Ma, Lefei Li