School of Business, Jiangnan University Launches 2026 YES Global Elite Summer Camp

On the morning of July 14, the opening ceremony of the 2026 YES Global Elite Summer Program, part of Jiangnan University Future Leaders Program, was held at Taihu Hall of Changguangxi Hotel. Sixty-five young students from 18 countries gathered at Jiangnan University for an eight-day immersive learning journey featuring academic exploration, industry engagement, cultural experiences, and cross-cultural collaboration.

The ceremony was attended by Zhang Yinglu, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Jiangnan University; Ni Ye, Director of the International Office(Office for HongKong, Maco and Taiwan Affairs), and Wang Yin, Deputy Director; Liu Changqing, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Business; Zheng Dandan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Dean of the School; Shi Hong, Director of the Executive Development Programs (EDP) Center; Meng Fanbo, Assistant to the Dean of the School ; Associate Professor Yang Menghua; and Industry Distinguished Professors Yu Jianjun, Zheng Jinjun, and Wang Jiajia. Representatives from partner institutions and organizations also attended, including Hua Xiaoning, Chairman of Wuxi Lingshan Culture and Tourism Group; Julija Vaitonyte, Lecturer at Tilburg University; Tan Lijia, Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology; Wang Wen, Chair of the Lingshan Charity Foundation; Pan Qiaoxin, Head of the Neighbourhood Initiative; and industry mentors Dou Yanli and Hou Jia. The ceremony was hosted by Liu Shujiao, Secretary of International Affairs of the School.

The ceremony opened with a welcome address by Vice President Zhang Yinglu. On behalf of Jiangnan University, she extended a warm welcome and sincere greetings to the young participants who had traveled from around the world to gather in Wuxi.

Zhang noted that the successful launch of the summer camp was made possible through the close collaboration and careful preparation of Jiangnan University, Tilburg University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and the Lingshan Charity Foundation. As a Double First-Class university directly under the Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University remains committed to openness, inclusiveness, and international engagement. The University continues to expand its global partnership network and promote the development of globally minded talent. Supported by the national YES Youth Exchange Program, the summer camp represents an important initiative for strengthening people-to-people exchanges among young people from China and around the world and advancing international collaborative education. She expressed her hope that participants would build meaningful connections, learn from one another, and grow together throughout the program.

Ni Ye, representing the International Office, introduced Jiangnan University’s history, distinctive educational strengths, leading disciplines, and international cooperation initiatives. She emphasized that the University places great importance on international exchange and people-to-people connections. She expressed the hope that the summer camp would serve as a new starting point for expanding opportunities for cross-border youth exchange, enabling students from different cultural backgrounds to deepen mutual understanding through academic dialogue, cultural interaction, and collaborative innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the School of Business, Liu Changqing highlighted the role of the School’s EDP Center in providing high-quality academic resources and industry connections for the program. By integrating university, local, international, and industry resources, the summer camp aims to create a borderless platform for young people from around the world to learn and grow together.

This year’s program features an innovative “Mini United Nations” model, in which participants from 18 countries are mixed into diverse teams to encourage cross-cultural collaboration and peer learning. Following the principle of integrating theory with practice, the program offers two thematic tracks—AI and Big Data and AI and Global Governance—alongside five industry-focused inquiry themes and a series of in-depth cultural and humanities activities. Through this combination, the camp seeks to strengthen participants’ knowledge of emerging fields while broadening their global perspectives and intercultural understanding.

Shi Hong, Director of the EDP Center, provided an overview of the camp’s objectives and eight-day program. During the immersive learning experience, Chinese and international participants will work under the guidance of academic mentors from Chinese and Dutch universities as well as industry experts. They will explore five major themes through keynote lectures, visits to leading local enterprises, cultural experiences featuring Jiangnan traditions, and intensive international team discussions. The program will culminate in student-led team research presentations, followed by official program completion certificates.

Hua Xiaoning, Chairman of Wuxi Lingshan Culture and Tourism Group, delivered a keynote presentation on “Cultural Tourism Integration and International Cultural Coexistence.” Drawing on Lingshan’s experience in developing destinations such as Lingshan Scenic Area and Nianhua Bay, he explored innovative approaches to bringing traditional Chinese culture to international audiences. He emphasized that international cultural tourism should not be understood as a one-way process of cultural export, but rather as a two-way dialogue among different civilizations. He encouraged the young participants to communicate openly and sincerely and to become ambassadors for cross-cultural friendship and understanding.

Pan Qiaoxin introduced the Lingshan Charity Foundation’s Cultural Coexistence Public Welfare Fund. She highlighted the role of public welfare as a meaningful bridge connecting young people from different countries and communities, expressing her hope that the summer camp would create opportunities for participants to engage in deeper dialogue on social innovation, cultural inclusion, and sustainable social development.

International student representatives Santiago Castillo from Eindhoven University of Technology and Natalie Victoria Wemme from Tilburg University also addressed the ceremony. Both expressed their appreciation for the thoughtful arrangements made by Jiangnan University and their enthusiasm for the program ahead. They looked forward to experiencing Chinese culture firsthand, gaining a closer understanding of China’s industrial innovation and development, and broadening their perspectives through cross-cultural collaboration while forming lasting friendships with fellow participants from around the world.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, university leaders, faculty and industry mentors, and all participants gathered for a group photograph, capturing the memorable moment of this international gathering.

Following the ceremony, the first Faculty-Student Workshop was held. Participants were divided into five inquiry groups focusing on Digital Intelligence Frontiers, Red-Blue Media, Youth Public Welfare, Cross-Border Industries, and Jiangnan Stories. Guided by their mentors, the groups engaged in in-depth discussions and established preliminary divisions of responsibilities, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent academic sessions, enterprise visits, cultural activities, and final project presentations.

With its unique blend of traditional Jiangnan culture and vibrant digital innovation, Wuxi provides a distinctive setting for this global youth learning journey. As the second phase of Jiangnan University’s Future Leaders Program , the YES Global Elite Summer Camp serves as a bridge for young people from different countries to experience Chinese culture, explore new ideas, and collaborate across borders. It also represents another concrete step in Jiangnan University’s ongoing efforts to advance high-level international education and strengthen global engagement.

Over the next eight days, young participants from around the world will exchange ideas through academic exploration, discover new possibilities through industry engagement, and experience the richness of Jiangnan culture. Through these shared experiences, they will build friendships across borders and create lasting memories of Jiangnan. The School of Business will take the summer camp as a new starting point to further expand its global network of partnerships and provide more high-quality platforms for young people around the world to engage in cross-cultural exchange, collaborative learning, and innovation.

Group photo

Zhang Yinglu delivering the welcome address

Ni Ye introducing Jiangnan University

Liu Changqing delivering remarks on behalf of the School of Business

Shi Hong introducing the program