Writer: Kang Wee ShuienEditor: Nadenne Ignacio Chua
At the end of 2019, an immersion trip to Shanghai and Nanjing was organized by the MEM Education Center. The trip lasted for 4 days, starting from the evening of November 27 until evening of December 1. On 27th of November. All IMEM students eagerly packed and prepared to depart from the Beijing South Railway Station. The travel took around 12 hours via train berth from Beijing to Shanghai, which enabled IMEM students to experiencethe speeds of China trains.
Day 1
Finally arriving at Shanghai after a long night, the IMEM group went directly to visit a Cadillac factory in Pudong, Shanghai. The SAIC-General Motors Corporation Limited is one of the main joint-venture automotive companies headquartered at Shanghai, China. This manufacturing plant produces three main brands: Buick, Cadillac, and Chevrolet. The students were able to visit the assembly plant and observe how cars were assembled. One thing that caught the attention of the students was that the moving assembly line with employees working on different car models successively. Another manufacturing plant that the students visited was the pressing, welding, and assembly of the car body structure. The entire process was organised, advanced, impressing all of the IMEM students.
IMEM atCadillac
“The Cadillac factory was well worth the visit, showing how the West and China can build successful partnerships in different industries.”
– Andre Wertheimer Pascual, Brazil (IMEM 2019) –
The IMEM group proceeded to visit Shanghai Electric, one of the three main manufacturers of gas turbines in China. Representatives warmly welcomed the students as they shared and explained the history of the company. To get a better understanding of the company, an exchange session was held between IMEM students and the corporate management. Inquisitive questions were raised, some of which were about the future direction of the company and turbine technology, the sustainability, and its continuous development to reduce impacts on air quality. The students, of course, did not let the chance slip away to ask if they accept international interns. The group were also allowed to visit the manufacturing plant of turbine, production of its components, and the assembly plant.
The first day’s visit was thought-provoking as it showed the rapid development of Chinese manufacturing industries. Mr. Paepradit from Thailand shared his experience on visiting companies as it provided a real on-site experience and industry insights.
IMEM atShanghai Electric
“It was a well-organized trip that provided a real on-site experience and industry insights. Experiencing Chinese working culture and the development of technologies were breath-taking one.”
– Thatchawin Paepradit, Thailand (IMEM 2019) –
Day 2
The IMEM group, along with Prof. Zhang and visiting professors, visited the main dispatching command center of China Railway Group. It is one of the 18 groups under China Railway that handles the daily operation of both high-speed trains and commuter trains in Shanghai and other nearby regions. It is one of the largest railway groups that boasts its complex system entirely developed by China.
The main dispatching command center of China Railway Group (Shanghai)
“Visiting Shanghai China Railway group was amazing, especially having interaction with officers working in the control room. They have well-equipped operating system to operate and are well-prepared for any emergency situations. We got insight aboutthe emergency management system.”
– Muhammad Yaseen Arif, Pakistan (IMEM 2019) –
The students also got a chance to visit Nanxiang’s dispatching center and learn about its history. They were able to see and understand how the dispatching system works in the center. The IMEM students extended their deepest gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality that Shanghai Railway Group offered.
IMEM atNanxiang’s dispatching center
Day 3
Time to say goodbye to Shanghai, the group departed to Nanjing by a high-speed train. Nanjing is a city, rich in culture, possessing one of the finest Chinese architecture from the past. For the IMEM students, it was a good place for sightseeing, as well as deepening the understanding on Chinese culture. The group went to visit Zhanyuan, emanating the beauty of Chinese architecture. Prof. Zhang also explained the history of Nanjing – an important city in the past along with other major cities such as Beijing and Xi’an. Many historical facts were explained during the tour, such as the rise and fall of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the brief history of Yuan and Ming Dynasties.
IMEM at Zhanyuan
The following visit was the Jiangnan Examination Hall, describing the history of ancient imperial examination of China. The Chinese society in the past highly valued education and selected the brightest minds via imperial examination to become government officials. The scholars in the past were highly-respected with decorum. Through this visit, the students were able to deepen their knowledge pertaining to the significant role of imperial examination in the Chinese history and how it has evolved with time going by.
“The visit to Nanjing historical sites, especially imperial examination museum, was such a great and mind-blowing experience. I felt like we had travelled in time while we were exploring how this examination was first designed, what was it like during each dynasty and how it had influenced neighbouring countries.”
– Zouibaa Omayma, Morocco (IMEM 2019) –
Day 4
On the last day of immersion trip, the IMEM group went to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. It is the place where Dr. Sun Yat-sen was buried. He is perceived as one of the greatest figures in the modern history of China, leading the revolution to end more than 2000-year feudal society. The mausoleum and its surrounding area are mesmerising. Then, the students proceeded to the Presidential Palace that housed the Office of the President of the Republic of China since 1927. It served as the main office for KMT Government until 1949 and is now transformed into a modern history museum. The students managed to learn about the modern history of People’s Republic of China, as well as to get a glimpse of the old government office back to the early 20th century. This office was once occupied by Taiping rebellion forces led by Hong Xiuquan in 1853. It was a luxurious place for him, known as the Palace of the Heavenly Kingdom.
IMEM at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
the Presidential Palace
The immersion trip ended with the journey back to Beijing at night in a high-speed train. All students were able to experience theFuxing high-speed train, with its speed reaching 349km/h. This journey was indeed an eye-opener for many IMEM students in comprehending the current phase of China’s development of industry and culture.
“It greatly increases the value of this program that it includes immersion classes like this one. The opportunity to be able to visit Chinese companies of this scale is unique.”
– Freyr Brynjarsson, Iceland (IMEM 2019) –
“Big thanks to IMEM for organizing such a fantastic immersion class. It was a great opportunity to get this first-hand experience of China’s industry and enjoyed with my friend.”
– Potchara Haerangikanon, Thailand (IMEM 2019) –
“The immersion trip was a fantastic experience. Not only did we learn more for some fundamental industries but we also had the chance to bond with our classmates.”
–Nikolaos Rigopoulos, Greece (IMEM 2019) –
