The two-week "Second Global Value Chain International Summer School and Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation Competition" officially kicked off on the morning of September 2 in the C Hall Lecture Room of the school library. This international education exchange event attracted over 20 students and teachers from nine countries, including Germany, Austria, Japan, Tunisia, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Thailand, and China. Together, they gathered to explore innovations and developments in the logistics and supply chain sector and to tackle real-world challenges faced by businesses.

The opening ceremony began with a warm welcome speech by the university president, Lin Pinghua. He emphasized the critical role of logistics and supply chain management in today's society, highlighting the unprecedented opportunities for transformation in this field brought about by the rapid advancement of information technology. President Lin noted that Nanjing Tech University Pujiang Institute is committed to cultivating high-quality talent with a global perspective, innovative spirit, and practical skills. He expressed his hope that through this event, students from different countries would foster exchanges and work together to promote innovation and development in logistics and supply chain management.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Luo Jiashun, Senior Vice Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group; Mr. Roman Rasinger, Managing Director of ALDI China; Ms. Zhang Ni, Vice Chairwoman and Secretary General of Jiangsu Overseas Chinese Federation; Mr. Xu Jiaming, Vice Chairman of Nanjing Overseas Chinese Federation; and leaders from the Lishui District United Front Work Department. They all highly praised the event, stressing that international education is a driving force for global development. They emphasized that this event not only responds to the nation’s call but also provides an important platform for nurturing logistics and supply chain talents with global perspectives and innovative abilities.

This year’s International Summer School has several key highlights:

1.Innovation in International Academic Exchanges: Pujiang Institute’s initiative to host a summer school involving students from multiple countries demonstrates its forward-looking approach and openness in international education cooperation. The event provides Pujiang Institute’s students with valuable opportunities for international exchange, helping them broaden their horizons and improve cross-cultural communication skills.

2.Wisdom from Experts in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: The event invited both domestic and international experts in logistics and supply chain fields. Through lectures and seminars, they will share cutting-edge academic achievements and practical experiences, offering students valuable academic guidance and career advice.

3.Practice-Oriented Education Model: With strong support from Charoen Pokphand Group and ALDI China, students will have the chance to conduct field studies at related logistics warehouses and retail stores in Shanghai, directly confronting industry challenges. This practice-based education model will allow students to closely integrate knowledge with real-world practice, laying a solid foundation for their future careers.

4.Cultural Diversity and Exchange: Students from different countries and regions will be grouped into mixed teams to participate in this summer school. This exchange of diverse cultures will provide students with new perspectives and ways of thinking, inspiring their creativity and innovation.

5.Rich Cultural Experiences: Beyond the intensive academic activities, the school has also arranged a variety of cultural exchange events. Students will have the chance to visit Nanjing's historical landmarks, savor traditional Jinling cuisine, and experience Chinese cultural activities such as calligraphy, landscape painting, Tai Chi, and mooncake-making. These activities will enrich students' lives while deepening their understanding of Chinese culture.

With the successful conclusion of the opening ceremony, the two-week Second Global Value Chain International Summer School and Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation Competition officially began. In the days ahead, we look forward to seeing students from around the world immerse themselves in academic exploration, innovation, and cultural exchange. We anticipate that this event will inject new vitality and momentum into the development of the logistics and supply chain field!