The first-ever #DMUworks trip gave students from across De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) a fascinating first-hand experience of business around the world when they visited China.
Thirteen students spent a packed two days in Shenzhen, visiting companies – including the SZOIL innovation lab and automobile manufacturer BYD – while getting the opportunity to operate a hi-tech underwater robot and learn about futuristic air-rail systems.
They also attended business seminars, visited a co-working space, enjoyed a Chinese banquet, networked with DMU alumni working in the major city in Guangdong Province and heard inspirational stories from UK graduates who have done internships in China and gone on to build successful careers there. There was even time for a night of traditional karaoke.
#DMUworks is DMU’s new employability initiative to develop “the graduates of the future”. Looking to move beyond the established approach of providing longer placements, it will take a new approach to employability by providing a wide range of more flexible options and by drawing on networks of alumni to provide mentoring, shadowing, training and other opportunities.
Catriona Maddocks Dodson, who studies Business and Management, said: “We learned about the culture and the dynamics of the business world in Asia. It was great to find out more about China and I’m now considering an internship there during my placement year. It really helps that I can say I’ve gone, done these things, been to these companies and found out more in person. It might only have been two days, but they were so intensive and we’ve seen so much that it’s been invaluable.”
Fine Art student Roberta Villette, from Brazil, said: “We met a lot of really great people and we got such a warm welcome. It was an amazing experience and an incredible opportunity. China is a fantastic place and it’s something I will never forget. I’m really grateful to #DMUworks for making this happen – there was no way I could have done this on my own and the experience was unbelievable.”
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Dan Winney, DMU’s international recruitment officer who accompanied the students to China, said: “This was a great test for #DMUworks, seeing what we can do, trying to open up these experiences to as many students as possible and pushing boundaries.
“This landmark trip really fits in well with our #DMUworks ethos, because it enables our students to enjoy a shorter-term experience that could potentially have a huge impact. It was great for them to see what it takes to get a career in what they really want to do, while meeting and travelling out with students from other DMU faculties too.”
Shaun Butcher, of CRCC Asia, the specialist internships company which helped to organise the trip, said: “This programme was packed with cultural and business activities and completely changed some students’ views on China. Many of them thought it would be quite closed, but they were surprised how much opportunity is there for them. We really wanted to show them that China is a place you can make things happen.”
The group returned from Shenzen to join more than 300 DMU students and nearly 150 alumni in Hong Kong for the official launch of #DMUworks at a special event by the harbour in Kowloon, part of the latest #DMUglobal mass trip.
Posted on Friday 23 March 2018