SII-DUFE Summer School 2025: corporations, culture and careers
We welcomed 20 Surrey International Institute at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (SII-DUFE) students to the University to take part in our annual SII-DUFE Summer School on Business Innovation and Sustainable Development in the Digital Age.
SII-DUFE students spent two weeks (13–26 July) on our Stag Hill campus taking part in activities to enrich and deepen their understanding of business intelligence and sustainability in the digital age, alongside the latest trends in entrepreneurship.
Practical applications of theory
On the Summer School, our students gained skills to design and implement innovative digital business models, while honing their entrepreneurial abilities in real-world settings. The Summer School programme is designed to offer a blend of theoretical study, hands-on experience, and included a visit to Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking.
Under the guidance of mentors, students explored business ideas in groups, conducted market research and developed business plans. Their business projects all had to focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and included a project to digitalise the British Museum (using field research from their visit earlier in the week) and the creation of a one-stop digital ecosystem for low carbon tourism and sustainable development in London.
They designed business models and marketing strategies to achieve their business goals, culminating in a business pitch at the end of the fortnight, to fellow students, Surrey Business School academics, and Professor Amelia Hatfield, Associate Vice-President for External Engagement and Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability.
Improving English language skills in a business setting
A key part of our programme incorporated careers development alongside English language tuition to enhance our students’ ability to succeed in business interviews. Instead of traditional English lessons, our students engaged in interactive sessions that focused on mastering interview skills, allowing them to express themselves confidently, respond effectively to common interview questions, and present their ideas with clarity.
Iconic British culture and heritage
But the Summer School isn’t all about study – our guests had plenty of time to play with sight-seeing trips to Windsor Castle and London as well as day-trips to explore the world-renowned university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. There was relaxation time on campus and throughout the scenic Surrey area, with a barbecue on our Manor Park campus, shopping trips to Guildford, visits to Surrey Sports Park and a final night Summer School dinner to celebrate all that they had achieved.
Robbie Cairns, Senior Lecturer in International Business Strategy at Surrey Business School, said:
“We really hope that the Summer School’s hands-on experiences will boost SII-DUFE students’ performance and competitiveness in a professional setting at the same time as enhancing their practical business English proficiency. The Summer School’s immersive experience of studying and living at the University of Surrey builds valuable overseas experience, as well as providing a truly unforgettable experience to explore iconic British culture and heritage.”
Related sustainable development goals
