Nexus for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NIE)

Nexus for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NIE) is a program under the Ingenuity Lab, to empower students with entrepreneurial skills and innovation capabilities for success in the business world. NIE is a leading hub for entrepreneurial excellence and innovation in education. 

NIE brings value to students by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and innovation capabilities, providing industry insights and networking opportunities, offering hands-on experience, and inspiring creativity and growth in a supportive environment.

NIE is introducing five key components to equip student with entrepreneurial skills,  innovation capabilities and practical tools to enhance their readiness for business ideation, development and execution.

• The Entrepreneurial Thinking Workshop will provide students with valuable insights and strategies for cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset.
• The Ingenuity Lab LEGO Series Play will offer a hands-on approach to fostering creativity and problem-solving skills through interactive building exercises.
• The Pitching Workshop will equip students with the necessary tools and techniques to effectively communicate their ideas and concepts to potential stakeholders.
• The Sharing & Engagement Events, featuring alumni, industry experts, and entrepreneurs, will offer students valuable opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and gain firsthand knowledge of best practices in various industries.
• Students will have the chance to join Industry Insight Journeys as part of NIE's efforts to expose them to different workplace environments and industry practices. These activities aim to broaden students' horizons, inspire creativity, and enhance their understanding of the business world.

In the past years, NIE has successfully exposed students to a variety of Industry Insight Journeys through organized field trips to startups and incumbents. These visits spanned diverse sectors such as robotics, live-streaming applications, new energy vehicles, toys, 3D printing, virtual reality. During these trips, students had the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge products and services, witness company operations firsthand, and interact with industry experts.

Upon returning from the company visits, students from different academic backgrounds collaborated to develop entrepreneurial projects or innovative concepts inspired by their experiences. This collaborative effort culminated in a Final Pitch Day, where student groups presented their ideas to a panel of judges. The most promising ideas were selected for further development.

Through this holistic approach, NIE has successfully fostered an entrepreneurial spirit among students, encouraging them to think creatively and apply their newfound knowledge in practical ways.

Lego® Serious Play®  

• The Era of AI: What is Needed for Future Career Development by Mr. Wang Ligeng, the first certified LSP method facilitator in China
• Winter Carnival, Come and Play!  by Dr. Lin Zhang, Deputy Dean of the Xuanhuai College at Tianjin University