What happens when young people from different countries, disciplines and cultures come together to explore innovation in the Greater Bay Area?
From July 15 to 30, the School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), hosted the Yinghua Fellowship – Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Greater Bay Area Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship Bootcamp & the 3rd Global Leadership Program, bringing together 46 young students for 16 days of learning, exploration and collaboration across the Greater Bay Area.
Supported by the Guoqiang Public Welfare Foundation and jointly developed with Mingyang Smart Energy Group, the 16-day program combined academic learning, company visits, cultural exploration and hands-on innovation challenges, giving participants an opportunity to experience the Greater Bay Area from multiple perspectives.
Learning Across Borders
This year's program brought together 46 young students from China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Singapore, India and other countries and regions, with academic backgrounds spanning business, engineering, humanities and social sciences.
Working in nine cross-cultural teams, they traveled across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Foshan and Yangjiang, exploring the region’s innovation ecosystem while exchanging ideas across disciplines and cultures.
At SYSU, participants attended lectures and discussions on topics including artificial intelligence, digital innovation, healthcare supply chains, the Greater Bay Area and Chinese culture. Academic and industry mentors also worked closely with the teams as they developed solutions to real-world business challenges.
Seeing Innovation in Action
Company visits offered a closer look at some of the industries driving innovation across the Greater Bay Area.
At Mingyang Smart Energy Group, participants visited wind turbine manufacturing facilities and an offshore wind power base, learning about new energy technologies and the company's international expansion.
They also visited companies including XPeng Motors, Insta360 and Haitian Flavouring, gaining first-hand insights into intelligent manufacturing, digital technology and green industries.
These experiences became part of their project work. The teams tackled challenges related to international market entry, localization, non-technical barriers and global supply chains, considering how businesses can navigate different markets and cultural contexts as they expand internationally.
Discovering Lingnan Culture
The program also took participants beyond classrooms and companies to explore the culture and heritage of the Greater Bay Area.
In Guangzhou and Foshan, they visited cultural landmarks, experienced local traditions and explored Lingnan's intangible cultural heritage and distinctive commercial culture. These experiences offered another perspective on the region and its connections between culture, society and economic development.
For some participants, the cultural visits were among the highlights of the program. One participant said the opportunity to visit different cities and experience their local character was particularly valuable, while another enjoyed exploring cultural sites with students from overseas and having more opportunities for relaxed cross-cultural conversations.
The teams also brought these observations back into their project work, considering how cultural understanding could support international collaboration and business development.
From Ideas to Action
The program culminated in a 48-hour innovation challenge.
Drawing on their classroom learning, company visits and field research, the nine teams developed solutions to real business challenges posed by Mingyang Smart Energy Group.
On July 29, they presented their proposals at the company’s headquarters in Zhongshan, where the projects were assessed on innovation, market potential, feasibility, analytical rigor and presentation.
Voices from the Fellowship
For participants, the program offered more than academic learning and industry exposure.
One participant highlighted the opportunity to meet and interact with students from different backgrounds, describing it as a rare chance to have in-depth conversations with young entrepreneurs and build meaningful connections. Another praised the program for bringing together inspiring companies, professors and new discoveries across different cities.
Reflecting on the experience, one participant said, “It had been an unparalleled experience with SYSU, with GBA, and with China.” Another said the program gave them an opportunity to overcome language and cultural barriers and become more confident in cross-cultural communication.
At the closing ceremony, Associate Professor Ji Yang, Assistant Dean of the School of Business, congratulated the participants on completing the program and encouraged them to continue broadening their global perspectives, strengthening their practical skills and engaging in cross-cultural collaboration.
The program concluded with participants receiving certificates of completion and awards.
For the 46 participants, the 16-day journey offered a chance to see the Greater Bay Area up close—from its classrooms and companies to its cities, cultures and communities.
They came together from different places and backgrounds, and left with shared experiences, new ideas and friendships built along the way.
