Going Global: Digital Innovation and Cross-border E-commerce International Summer School
Ningbo, Zhejiang,China
2026 Summer
Programme Introduction
Going Global: Digital Innovation and Cross-Border E-commerce Summer Schoolfocuses on the core track of digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce, and helps students build a global business understanding through the dual-track model of academic system and industrial practice. The program is jointly taught by professors from top universities and senior experts from leading enterprises, covering cutting-edge fields such as digital economy, cross-border operation, brand going abroad and supply chain management, taking into account both theoretical depth and practical value.
The project includes enterprise visits, industry research and real case study, so that students can deeply understand cross-border e-commerce ecology and digital business model. Finally, cross-border business proposals will be output, and core capabilities such as business analysis, cross-cultural collaboration and English road shows will be fully trained.
After completing the project, the team will get the official certificate of completion, and the excellent team will have the opportunity to get the professor's recommendation letter and industry certification, which will provide high gold endorsement for the resume, study abroad application and career development. The project not only improves the academic background, but also helps students to establish a global vision and digital thinking, and connect with the core competitiveness of future business in advance.
Why Choose This Summer School？
In today's global business landscape, enterprises are navigating two transformative shifts:
- Digital Innovation driving business model evolution
- Cross-border E-commerce facilitating global market connectivity
This Summer School is designed to help students master:
- How digital innovation reshapes modern business models
- How cross-border e-commerce enables global sales
- How enterprises formulate global market strategies
What Will You Gain?
- Global Business Vision: Gain deep insights into how the digital economy and cross-border e-commerce are reshaping the global business landscape, and cultivate a strategic business mindset oriented toward international markets
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Cross-Border E-commerce Insights: Master the four core modules of cross-border e-commerce, including: Global market insights, cross-border supply chain management, digital marketing, brand expansion, and platform ecosystem
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Digital Innovation Competency: Systematically explore how digital innovation drives business model evolution, and grasp the underlying logic of technology application in real-world business scenarios across global markets
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Business Analytical Skills: Through case studies and practical tasks, you will develop core competencies in: market research, crafting business proposals, data analysis and data-driven business decision-making in the digital economy
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International Teamwork Skills: Actively participate in international team collaborations to purposefully develop competencies in cross-cultural communication, transnational synergy, and business English proficiency
About Programma
With 11-day immersive learning as the core, the summer school integrates cutting-edge academic courses, visits to leading enterprises and real business proposal challenges. It focuses on the three core tracks of digital innovation, cross-border e-commerce and global market operation to help students systematically master the core competencies of digital economy and brand going global. Enhance global vision, data analysis and international team collaboration skills in real business scenarios, and build a high-gold international practice resume.
Academic Learning Modules
- Cross-border E-commerce & Global Market Thinking with Prof. Kok Wei Khong
Explore the core logic and development trends of cross-border e-commerce, build a global market vision, and understand the operational rules and business opportunities in global markets. This course helps students grasp the key factors for going global and lays the foundation for designing cross-border business projects.
- Digital Marketing & Consumer Psychology with Prof. Chee Wei (David) Phang
Study theories and strategies in digital marketing and gain insight into the behavioural and psychological factors that drive consumer purchasing decisions across diverse markets. Students will learn how to leverage digital technologies and innovative approaches to enhance marketing strategies and strengthen brand communication in the global marketplace.
- Service Innovation with Prof. Yi Wang
Focus on service design and innovation in the context of cross-border e-commerce, exploring how businesses can enhance brand value through service innovation. This course guides students to transform service innovation into practical solutions and improve the overall competitiveness of cross-border business projects.
- Business Proposal Development & Market Research with Dr. Feranita
Learn to identify real business challenges and develop feasible and actionable business solutions. Students will learn the structure and principles of writing professional business proposals, understand how to conduct market research and analysis, and build solid skills for designing and delivering cross-border business project proposals.
- Technology and Digital Innovation with Dr. Fui Theng Leow
Understand how to apply emerging technologies and digital tools within cross-border e-commerce, and turn technological innovation into sustainable competitive advantages. Students will explore both the theories and practical cases of digital innovation, and learn how to integrate innovation into cross-border e-commerce operations.
- Analytical Mindset and Big Data Analytics with Dr. Luke Young Hoon Chang
Develop an analytical mindset and learn to apply data analytical tools and methods to support decision-making. Students will acquire the ability to extract valuable insights from data in business operations and translate these findings into evidence-based business decisions.
Industry Learning Modules
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Cross-border E-commerce Ecosystem
Study the operation rules and ecological systems of mainstream cross-border e-commerce platforms using real-world business cases. Students will master the core composition of the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem, and clarify the connection between platforms, sellers, consumers and supply chains.
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Cross-border Supply Chain Management
Focus on the entire process of cross-border supply chains, from product selection to logistics and then to core links such as inventory management. Students will develop comprehensive understanding to the cross-border supply chains, learn to avoid potential risks in the supply chain, and improve the efficiency of supply chain operation.
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Global Advertising and Marketing
Focus on the advertising and marketing practices in overseas market expansion and understand how brands formulate strategies in such expansion. Students will learn about the cultural differences and consumption preferences of different overseas markets, master how to accurately reach overseas target audiences, and assist brands in entering and cultivating overseas market effectively.
Industry Immersion
In the morning, students will visit Alibaba’s campus to experience the culture of a leading Chinese digital platform. In the afternoon, a senior operations expert will introduce Alibaba’s development, business model, ecosystem and innovation, explaining how platform economies drive growth.
Students will visit leading Chinese livestreaming firm Yaowang to gain first-hand cross-border e-commerce industry insights. The visit focuses on workflows, marketing, traffic conversion and supply chain cases, revealing how content, commerce and operations integrate to drive sales and brand growth.
Students will gain in-depth insights into cross-border supply chains, product selection and global trade networks. This summer programme combines theory with practice via on-site visits. Students observe cross-border sourcing and logistics, interact with sellers, grasp Yiwu’s competitive edge, and learn to identify high-potential products, laying a foundation for future practice.
Alongside these visits, we have arranged for two senior industry mentors from leading platforms to deliver sessions:
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Blair. Tao
Senior operations expert at Alibaba, deeply engaged in the fields of digital economy and e-commerce innovation
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Cheng Hao
Senior Training Expert at Yaowang Technology Managed operations for multiple large events with tens of millions in GMV
Capstone Project: Business Proposal Challenge
The final outcome of the summer school is a real-world business challenge
In teams, students will complete the following:
- Select a business project
- Identify a target overseas market
- Develop a cross-border business plan
- Deliver an English business pitch
The final work will be presented to professors and industry mentors at the Final Demo Day.
Programma Schedule Preview
*The schedule is subject to change based on actual conditions.
Please refer to the final version released prior to the start of the programme.
Certification & Achievement
Upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive:
An official Certificate of Completion issued by Nottingham University Business School China
The top three performing teams will also be awarded:
A Certificate of Recognition jointly issued by Nottingham University Business School China and its industry partner.
Application & Payment Methods
Who Should Apply
- Students from UNNC and international universities
- Students with a keen interest in marketing, digital innovation, or cross-border
e-commerce
- Students looking to build or enhance their business knowledge and background
- Students aiming to broaden their global perspective and gain hands-on corporate experience
Cohort Size: Limited to 60 students
How To Apply
Please scan the QR code below to complete your application form.
Early-bird Tuition Fee (paid before 20 April): RMB 16,000
Regular Tuition Fee (paid from 21 April onwards): RMB 17,000
Group discount: For groups of 3 or more registering and paying after April 21stthe rate is 16,500 RMB per person
Deadline for registration and payment: 22 May 2026
*The fee includes tuition and materials.
Accommodation
For students who are unable to stay in campus dormitories, an alternative accommodationpackage is available at an additional cost. We can arrange standard twin rooms at LA Hotel oncampus, with two students per room. The summer school will subsidize 50% of the room rate,and students will be responsible for RMB 80 per person per night. The summer school willprovide a maximum subsidy for 12 nights of accommodation, with check-in on or after June 7and check-out on June 19.
Programma Brochure
Scan to view brochure
Follow Us
BDO official email:
BDO@nottingham.edu.cn
Business Development Department Tel:
86 (0) 574 8818 0000 (ext: 0016)
