On 2nd April 2026, the first off-campus academic activity of Exploring Chinese Enterprises, a compulsory undergraduate course for the Business Administration (English-taught) program at the School of Business Administration (SBA), Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL), was successfully held at Dongfeng Motor Group. Led by Vice Dean Professor Dong Ciyi and Associate Professor Liu Wentong, and accompanied by Professor Wang Shuhong from the Human Resources Department, Teacher Wang Yanming and Teacher Ding Yi from the MBA Center, the visiting group consisted of more than 20 participants, including all international undergraduate students, some IMBA postgraduate students, and postgraduate students majoring in Business Administration and Asset Appraisal. Accompanied by Ms. Yang Nan, a representative of Dongfeng Motor Group, the group visited the Dongfeng Global Innovation Center, Dongfeng Aeolus Plant 1 and the Aeolus Store.
A Benchmark of Hubei Industry and A Hub of Technological Innovation: A Visit to the Dongfeng Global Innovation Center
As a core representative of Hubei’s automotive industry, Dongfeng shoulders the mission of transforming China’s automotive industry from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing. At Dongfeng Global Innovation Center, students learned about forward-looking technologies for intelligent vehicles in the next 5 to 10 years, and experienced breakthroughs in vehicle‑grade chips, Mach hybrid engines and autonomous driving, supported by over 600 researchers and 2,666 patents.
A Benchmark of Intelligent Manufacturing and In-Depth Exchange: Factory Tour and Seminar
Later, the group visited the national-level intelligent manufacturing demonstration plant, which produces 560 vehicles daily and reduces annual carbon emissions by 16,000 tons. Students witnessed the whole process from parts processing to vehicle assembly, fully feeling the strength of intelligent manufacturing. During the seminar, students had in-depth discussions on R&D, overseas layout, talent training and the new energy transition. Ms. Yang answered questions about globalization and innovation, sharing the path from “Chinese products” to “Chinese brands”.
Experiencing China’s Intelligent Manufacturing: A Test Ride of the Dongfeng Aeolus Model
The test ride of the Aeolus model pushed the activity to a climax. International students experienced the intelligent control, comfort and advanced technology of domestic new energy vehicles, and highly recognized the progress of China’s automobile industry.
6C Model Empowers Practical Education, International Education Starts a New Journey
This activity is a practical part of the 6C talent cultivation model of SBA’s English-taught program. Accredited by AMBA & BGA, SBA is striving for AACSB accreditation. SBA will continue to launch Exploring Chinese Enterprises series activities and strengthen cooperation with leading enterprises to deepen industry-education integration and improve the quality of international talent training.
