From June 8 to 12, 2026, a delegation from Shanghai Donghai College(SDC) paid working visits to seven higher education institutions in Germany and France. Led by Vice President Yan Yukang, the delegation comprised Directors of the Finance Office, Assets Management Office, Library and Information Center, and teacher from the School of Education. Focused on aligning with quality vocational education resources in both countries, the visit successfully fulfilled all scheduled tasks and delivered fruitful outcomes.
1. Visit to Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW)
On June 8, the delegation visited Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), where they were warmly received by Prof. Markus Strand, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Director of the Robotics and Human Motion Lab (RaHM-Lab). The two sides discussed the feasibility of program cooperation between the two institutions.
DHBW, a cooperative state university of applied sciences, is the birthplace of Germany’s dual system of higher education. With over 50 years of experience in university-enterprise joint education, it is the largest higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg, with around 34,000 enrolled students, over 230,000 alumni worldwide, and more than 9,600 partner enterprises including leading German companies and hidden champions such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bosch and SAP.
The delegation gained first-hand insights into the integrated model of teaching, practical training and research for dual-system engineering programs, and learned best practices in building training platforms for human-robot collaboration, industrial robotics and digital twins. Discussions on cross-border training co-construction and joint research provided a practical reference for the international development of our mechatronics and intelligent manufacturing programs.
2. Visit to Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
On the afternoon of June 8, the delegation visited Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, and was warmly welcomed by Prof. Philip Nenninger, Director of the Institute for Energy Efficient Mobility (IEEM) and Head of the Automation Technology Laboratory. The two sides explored the feasibility of online joint courses, student exchanges and reciprocal internship bases. Prof. Nenninger accompanied the delegation on a tour of the institute’s automation technology lab, automotive powertrain lab and student training facilities.
Founded in 2012, IEEM is a core industry-education integration platform in southwest Germany focusing on new energy vehicles and intelligent connected vehicles.
The visit enabled the delegation to study the industry-oriented automotive program system of German universities of applied sciences, with proven expertise in new energy efficiency, virtual testing for intelligent driving and industry-education integrated training platforms. It serves as a key benchmark for SDC’s School of Mechatronics to build automotive training bases and develop cross-border dual-system automotive programs.
3. Visit to Bildungswerk Wirtschaft Baden-Württemberg (BIWE)
On June 9, the delegation visited the Karlsruhe branch of Bildungswerk Wirtschaft Baden-Württemberg (BIWE), and was warmly received by Mr. Marco Litz, Director of the International Department. The two sides discussed the feasibility of student internships in Germany and bilateral student exchange programs for joint talent cultivation. On behalf of SDC, Vice President Yan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mr. Litz.
dedicated to university-enterprise collaboration and vocational education services. Headquartered in Stuttgart, its Karlsruhe branch serves as a core service hub for the region, the surrounding Rhine industrial belt and dual-system education at DHBW Karlsruhe.
The delegation learned about Germany’s mature mechanisms for coordinating dual-system talent cultivation, allocating university-enterprise resources and conducting international vocational education cooperation. Discussions on joint talent training, overseas training platform co-construction and corporate internship placement provided comprehensive practical references for building a localized dual-system education model at SDC.
4. Visit to Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences
On June 10, the delegation visited Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, where they were warmly received by professor Thomas Maschke, president of the university, professor Stefanie Greubel, vice president of the university, Mr. Michael Schröder, Chief Administrative Officer and professor Jost Schieren, Dean of the university’s School of Education, and other professors. After introducing their respective institutions, the two sides explored cooperation in early childhood education teacher training, short-term student exchanges, joint curriculum development and internship base construction. Vice President Yan signed an MoU with the President of Alanus University on behalf of SDC.
Founded in 1973, Alanus University is a state-recognized private comprehensive arts university in Germany. The visit focused on learning from its signature art therapy program, interdisciplinary talent cultivation model integrating arts and social sciences, and industry-education integration approach for cultural and creative programs, providing references for the international cooperation of our arts, health service and cultural tourism programs.
5. Visit to TUNON International Institute (France)
On June 11, the delegation visited the main campus of TUNON International Institute in France, and was warmly received by Thierry OBER, president of the institute and Hawa NIAKATE the Director of its International Department of the institute. After touring the teaching facilities and office spaces, the two sides reviewed the positive experience of student exchange programs in 2025 and further discussed plans for future student study visits.
Founded in 1964, TUNON is an elite private institution with over 60 years of expertise in the high-end service industry, specializing in luxury goods, aviation, hotel management, and MICE and cultural tourism. It is a benchmark institution for high-end service talent cultivation in France.
The visit provided first-hand insights into France’s talent cultivation system and in-depth university-enterprise integration mechanism for high-end service programs, offering practical references for the international development of our tourism management, flight attendant, event planning and luxury marketing programs.
6. Visit to ISCOM Paris (France)
On the afternoon of June 11, the delegation visited the main campus of the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Publicité (ISCOM) in Paris. They were warmly received by Caroline GRASSAUD, president of the institute, ELENA, Director of International Affairs and MANSUROVA, Dean of Academic Affairs. The delegation toured the teaching areas and observed classroom teaching. The two sides discussed the feasibility of Sino-French cooperative education in media and digital communication, bilingual teaching, and the launch of a “3+1” international talent training program. Vice President Yan signed an MoU with Ms. Elena Mansurova, Acting Director of ISCOM, on behalf of SDC.
ISCOM is a leading private elite institution for media and advertising in France. The visit enabled the delegation to study France’s industry-education integration model and all-media training base construction for media programs, and learn about its curriculum system for brand marketing, digital media and cross-border communication. The two sides reached preliminary intentions on faculty and student exchanges, joint creative workshops and overseas training base co-construction, providing mature solutions for the international development of our new media, advertising, MICE and cross-border e-commerce programs.
7. Visit to ESDES Business School (Lyon, France)
On June 12, the delegation visited ESDES Business School (UCLy) in Lyon, and was warmly received by Prof. William Hurst, Director of ESDES, and Ms. Caroline Duval, Director of International Affairs. The two sides explored cooperation in joint international talent cultivation, student exchanges, top-up programs, joint bachelor-master programs, short-term study tours and joint international course development. Vice President Yan and Prof. Hurst jointly signed an MoU.
A member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE) and holder of AACSB accreditation (earned by only 6% of business schools worldwide), ESDES focuses on responsible and sustainable business education with an interdisciplinary model integrating business and humanities. It operates a well-established Alternance dual apprenticeship system available at both undergraduate and graduate levels, in partnership with over a thousand manufacturing, foreign trade and multinational enterprises in the Lyon region. The work-study program with paid on-the-job training cultivates students’ capabilities in sustainable economy, fintech and business management, and emphasizes social responsibility. Its graduate employment rate consistently stays above 95%.
8. Working Dinner with Dean of Brest Business School (BBS) Paris Campus
On the evening of June 12, the delegation met and held discussions with Prof. Shen Dai, Dean of Brest Business School (BBS) Paris Campus, at a working dinner. The two sides explored prospects for international cooperation in business education, including bilingual teaching, faculty exchanges and student professional competency development.
Founded in 1962 by the Brittany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BBS is a CGE member with AACSB accreditation, and its degrees are officially recognized by the education authorities of both China and France. Its Paris campus focuses on continuing education, international master’s and doctoral programs, and executive training, adopting a “case study + corporate visit + workshop” teaching model with faculty comprising industry executives and full-time professors. The in-depth exchange covered France’s executive business education and international MBA talent cultivation system, as well as cooperation in Sino-French joint business programs, overseas expert recruitment, and short-term study tours. This provided mature cooperation references for the international development of our international business, financial management and marketing programs.
This visit has delivered pioneering outcomes in deepening the internationalization of vocational education, expanding cross-border college-enterprise cooperation channels, and upgrading the quality of talent cultivation. It has successfully fulfilled the goals of international exchange and cooperation, and further consolidated the foundation of SDC’s international cooperative education.
(Correspondent: Wang Yang, Translator: Liu Yichen)
