2018 Singapore Winter Program, themed “Design & Entrepreneurship”, was organized by the School of Management Zhejiang University, from Jan 29th to Feb 11th, 2018. Led by Dr. TONG Yu, ZJU-100 Young Professor from Data Science and Engineering Department and Ms. TONG Nian, Coordinator from International Cooperation and Accreditation Office at School of Management, 27 undergraduate students from School of Management, College of Computer Science and Technology, College of Control Science and Engineering, etc. participated in the program.
“Design Thinking Workshop” and “Entrepreneurship Workshop” held at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), business project practices, company visits, as well as cultural experiences, the four interactive modules were designed for students in Winter Program. This learning journey aims to expand students’ international perspective and build up their innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities.
6-day workshops themed "Design Thinking" and "Entrepreneurship" kicked off the Winter Program. In the “Design Thinking Workshop”, students were illustrated with the concepts, processes and methods of product design, and the prototypes of mobile phone cases by using Solidworks software and made the items with 3D printers.
After gaining some insights of product design and modeling, students took part in the “Entrepreneurship Workshop”, and were introduced to the basic concepts of entrepreneurship, the significance of value discovery, the formation of risk awareness and cognition of market types, and attended a lecture titled "Getting to Product/Market Fit", which emphasized on customer development and validation, and discussed how to make a good business plan and what product/market fit is.
Afterward, students from Zhejiang University and SUTD were mixed together and divided into 7 groups with different tasks, from selecting topics, doing market research, collecting data, screening information, developing sketches, finalizing product proposals, to formulating business plans, students went through the whole process of the implementation of a business project.
Products were innovative in each group: 3D-printed rings with various combinations, multi-functional key holders, creative "promise" vouchers, DIY potted cactus, weight-loss bag-carriers and so on. Besides, different marketing tactics were adopted in the sales process. For instance, one group provided free live photo print to attract young customers, similarly, the other group offered free games for consumers to boost sales.
In Class
Project Display
Selling site - SCAPE
On Feb 9th, the final report on sales results was released. Each group summarized their selling experience, presented revenues, and analyzed challenges. Finally, Arifin Chia, a coordinator from the Office of Technology & Enterprise Management at SUTD, awarded certificates to the top three groups. He praised that most groups obtained profits within just two days. With efforts devoted, students from both Zhejiang University and SUTD showed their mindsets of cooperation and courage to meet various entrepreneurial challenges.
Winning Team
In addition to workshops and business project practices, students also visited the National University of Singapore (NUS). Dr. Jenson Goh, Director of Studies and Resident Fellow, welcomed the delegation and showed students around well-facilitated Yale-NUS College which enabled everyone to take a closer look at its unique and innovative teaching buildings, library, restaurant and surroundings.
NUS Visit
During the company visits, students visited a renowned business incubator in Singapore named Blk71, communicated with a number of entrepreneurs, and experienced local entrepreneurial atmosphere. In the INNOSPARKS accelerator, students well interacted during the presentations given by representatives of various innovative companies. After that, Students visited INNOSPARKS’ enterprise Lab, and conducted an in-depth communication with related technical staffs. After the company visits, students had a deeper insight into the support to start-ups from the government, the hardships of setting up a new business, and the persistence and courage of entrepreneurs in the real practice.
Corporate Visit Scene
Singapore is a place with a diverse mix of culture and cuisine, and a harmonious blend of ancient history and modern wizardry. Stunning architecture, user-friendly facilities, inclusive cultures, kind people, etc. that Singapore possesses have left a very deep impression on ZJU students.
Cultural Visit
Students have gained insight into cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning, friendship, and the business world in the “Design & Entrepreneurship” Singapore Winter Program. Moreover, the program inspired students to make desirable choices on their personal academic development and future career.
