On 27th May, the Global Mentorship Programme (GMP) successfully held the 2019-20 spring semester student poster presentation and closing ceremony. To engage students and mentors and provide a better learning experience, innovative approaches were applied in the two stages of the student poster presentation – a student video presentation and poster presentation. The student video presentation took place in the middle of May where all the five student groups were required to submit an 8-min long video presentation. An innovative evaluation approach was applied involving four mentors, who are currently located in four different continents and countries via Zoom, to select the best three out of the five video presentations.
In the poster presentation and closing ceremony, the three student groups who performed best in the video presentation got to deliver their presentation onsite followed by poster presentations given by all student groups participating in GMP this semester. Considering the strict travel restrictions in light of COVID-19, for the first time, the GMP teams used a blended online and offline approach. This enabled students who were not able to return campus and the nine mentors who are at present in seven different countries to attend the event virtually via Zoom. The approach allowed them to interact with GMP students and the NUBS China faculty who joined onsite. Virtual collaboration and interaction provided unique experiences for all the attendees. Below are highlights of the GMP student poster presentation event.
Dr Xuan Feng, Director of Global Mentorship Programme began by welcoming all the guests who joined in person and remotely, and provided a programme overview of this semester’s activities. Due to COVID-19, all the GMP seminars and mentoring activities took place online. Success was achieved thanks to the deep commitment of GMP mentors and students. Afterwards, Professor Martin Lockett, Dean of NUBS China, made a short introduction of the Business School to all the attendees. In particular, Professor Lockett highlighted the three guiding principles of the Business School —‘International’, ‘Interactive’ and ‘Innovative’. He also emphasised that GMP is an excellent example of how a business school cultivates a student’s critical thinking and abilities to innovate as well as broadens their global vision, while also improving their intercultural competence.
After the Dean’s opening speech, the three student groups that performed best in the video presentations delivered an onsite presentation followed by poster presentations delivered by all five GMP student groups. A short abstract of each student group presentation is provided below (more of this content will be shared in the NUBS China STAR Magazine June issue).
Group 1: How can students make good career choices?
In this presentation, the students explained why making good career choices are important and how they relate to career and life development. They suggested to plan one’s career path as early as possible and to keep an eye on career-related news and interested employers.
Group 2: How can virtual teams work more effectively?
The students in group two provided four key factors that enable effective virtual teamwork: build an uninterrupted work environment, work in-depth and avoid fragmenting your work time, develop strict self-discipline, and clarify rules while strengthening supervision.
Group 3: What is the students’ preferred work environment?
Based on literature review, student survey and case analysis, students of group three summarised a set of key factors that attract students to join a company, such as regulations that foster fairness, corporate culture and shared values, as well as a positive work atmosphere.
Group 4: How can students stand out in a virtual interview?
Group four students provided important advice on coping with a virtual interview before, during and after the interview. Key tips include: testing the technical facilities in advance, conducting mock interviews, improving interview manners and sending follow-up emails after the interview.
Group 5: What key attributes and competencies do MNEs in China look for?
Based on survey research of over 100 UNNC students and company case studies, students from Group 5 summarised several key attributes and competencies MNEs prefer their employees to have such as the ability to innovate, teamwork, being self-motivated and goal-oriented.
Congratulations to the winning teams:
Group 5 – Winner of the Best Video Presentation Award and Best Presentation Award: Zhang Xinyun, Liu Yuhui, Zhang Xuyan, Zhang Gaojian, and Lin Chenhong.
Group 4 – Winner of the Best Poster Design Award: Jiang Jianan, Jiang Lan, Lin Xiaoyan, Wang Shurong, and Yang Fang.
After the student presentation session, two GMP alumni members, He Zhefan and Shen Juncheng shared their own GMP experience as well as their development journey after completing the programme. Both indicated that GMP brought them to a higher horizon and cultivated their global vision and competencies which are highly useful for their future development. Zhefan suggested that students shall keep open-minded, find one’s own passion and step out one’s comfort zone to explore new things. Juncheng encouraged students to keep in contact with the mentors and make the completion of the programme a new start in learning and growth.
At the end of the event, Dr Peter Morgan, Associate Dean of NUBS China, and the global mentors offered the students valuable life and career development advice. Mentor Maris encouraged students to: ‘Keep Learning, be open-minded, embrace new experiences, keep networking, travel when possible, read more books, remember people are your great resources, always dream and do your very best!’ Mentor Keith suggested that students should not rush to make their career decision and take time to see the world. Mentor Michael indicated that students should try to make a meaningful environment and do things that are good for other people.
Congratulations to the students of GMP 2019-20 Spring Semester! May you gain new insights about yourself and your career through GMP. Wishing you the very BEST!