A 16-member delegation of undergraduate students and faculty from the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) recently traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, for a series of visits to international organizations, companies and universities as part of the summer course CrossBorder Innovation and Entrepreneurship Study Tour. The program, which took place from September 6 to 12, 2026, was led and supervised by Associate Professor Hao Jie of the Department of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy.

As part of the Outstanding Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Development Plan under X-Project (Cross-disciplinary Innovation Practice Program), one of SEM's signature undergraduate initiatives, the course is designed to cultivate future innovation and entrepreneurship leaders. It builds students' entrepreneurial mindset and global outlook, as well as their capacity to identify opportunities and apply advanced management practices across the full innovation-entrepreneurship lifecycle.

The week-long program enabled students to acquire knowledge across multiple fields, strengthen their overall capabilities and deepen their understanding of values from an international perspective. The packed schedule included visits to the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva and Cartier's Manufacture facility under the Richemont Group, while the delegation took part in workshops cohosted by the University of Geneva with support from EY. These site visits offered firsthand insights into how Switzerland's entrepreneurial ecosystem operates and evolves. Students also held in-depth discussions with local entrepreneurs on challenges and opportunities for launching and scaling ventures.

On September 7, the delegation visited the ILO headquarters. As the only United Nations agency built on a tripartite governance structure, the ILO shared its work supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and employment. ILO staff engaged the delegation in a rich discussion about artificial intelligence’s impacts on labor markets. They highlighted the organization's human-centered approach to AI: helping workers adapt to shifting employment landscapes through reskilling, while fostering dialogue among governments, employers and workers to strengthen governance frameworks. Team members also presented youth talent programs and guided the group on a headquarters tour. The visit enhanced students' grasp of international labor governance, youth engagement and labor-market dynamics in the AI era, while reinforcing the principle that technological progress should serve people.

An ILO representative delivers a speech to Tsinghua SEM faculty and students.

On September 8, the delegation traveled to Cartier's Manufacture facility and Maison des Métiers d'Art (watchmaking workshop) in La ChauxdeFonds, gaining a holistic understanding of the complete high-end watches lifecycle – from research and design, component manufacturing and movement assembly through to aftersales restoration. At Manufacture, students learned how Cartier has transformed creativity into products combining functionality and aesthetics over its nearly 180-year history. At the Maison des Métiers d'Art, they experienced firsthand the fusion of traditional manual skills and modern precision technology. The visit illustrated how Cartier responds to diverse market demands while adhering to traditional craftsmanship and a consistent Maison philosophy, continuously promoting innovation and Maison transformation. Jaya Venugopal, Cartier International Employer Branding & Academic Relations Director, said: "Our Maison is proud to support the talents of tomorrow, bridging academia and business through partnerships such as the CEMS alliance. Hosting Tsinghua's University students for the first time in our Manufacture in Switzerland will pave the way for future collaborations aiming at transmitting Cartier's living legacy to the next generation."

Cartier representatives pose for a photo with the Tsinghua SEM delegation.

Tsinghua students visit Cartier's Manufacture.

Tsinghua students visit Cartier's Manufacture.

On September 9, the delegation visited Geneva's Campus Biotech for a workshop hosted by the University of Geneva and supported by EY. The session explored how space-related technologies can empower multilateral bodies and private sector actors to address emerging governance challenges. Scholars and experts from European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) unpacked governance hurdles facing international organizations, alongside real-world applications of Earth observation and quantum sensing for sustainable development and disaster resilience. Working around humanitarian response and climate risk scenarios, student teams designed trust-building cards, collaboration model cards and public position cards along three axes: credibility, structure and mission, to explore innovative public-private partnership models. Guest speakers also introduced reciprocal economics principles and urged multilateral institutions to accelerate digital transformation efforts. The delegation rounded off the visit with a tour of the SDG Solution Space and a group photograph.

The Tsinghua SEM delegation poses for a group photo with faculty and staff at the University of Geneva and EY Workshop.

The Tsinghua delegation attends the EY Workshop at the University of Geneva.

The Tsinghua delegation attends the EY Workshop at the University of Geneva.

Geneva brings together international organizations, multinational corporations, top-tier universities and research institutes, forming a tightly interconnected innovation ecosystem spanning multilateral governance, technological innovation and high-end advanced manufacturing. During the study tour, participants visited the ILO, Cartier watchmaking facilities and the University of Geneva's Campus Biotech complex. Students learned about the ILO's mandate to set international labour standards, foster social dialogue and advance decent work; witnessed Cartier's fusion of heritage craftsmanship and modern precision technologies; and joined University of Geneva's invited guests to examine how international organizations, research institutions and private sector stakeholders can jointly tackle sustainable development and future governance challenges. Cartier's commitment to heritage preservation alongside continuous innovation, paired with University of Geneva discussions covering Earth observation, quantum sensing, public-private collaboration and digital transformation, furnished students with multifaceted perspectives on multinational enterprise operations and global governance. The experience further ignited their curiosity for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Following the study tour, the students returned to campus with new knowledge, expanded global horizons and actionable practical insights. Tsinghua SEM's international exchange experiential courses create opportunities for students to interact with international organizations, cutting-edge industries, interdisciplinary innovation ecosystems and pressing global issues, so as to build their core competencies and inspire ongoing exploration and hands-on practice.

Student Reflections:

"This course has greatly broadened my academic horizons. A series of field visits – including the International Labour Organization, Cartier Watch Manufacture and the EY workshop – have reinforced theoretical knowledge acquired from textbooks. It has given me deeper, real world perspectives on ongoing global dynamics and the complex challenges facing today's world." - Lai Kien Lam, Class Jing 55, Tsinghua SEM

"In Geneva, I witnessed the enduring vitality of Switzerland's precision instrument manufacturing and watchmaking industries. Their success rests on rigorous craftsmanship and techniques passed down through generations – lessons from which we can learn." - Gao Mingyue, Class Jing 38, Tsinghua SEM

"This firsthand experience showed me that globally-oriented innovation must move beyond passive thinking and proactively incorporate social dimensions into business – a broad perspective that future entrepreneurs need." - Pei Zihui, Class Jing 37, Tsinghua SEM

"This visit deepened my understanding of Geneva's industries. I admired Swiss watchmaking's craftsmanship and innovation, as well as the scientific spirit and humanistic concern at the University of Geneva's Campus Biotech." - Han Jiaxin, Class Ji 38-Jing 32, Tsinghua SEM

Source: Academic Affairs Office

Editor: Ren Zhongxi