In November, UCL School of Management took the UCL MBA global for the first-ever international immersion event in Beijing, China, marking a significant milestone for the programme. Students and alumni from across the world joined Programme Director Professor Harveen Chugh and Postgraduate Administrator Andrew King for a week of learning, cultural exploration and networking.
The immersion provided an unparalleled opportunity to gain insights into innovation, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence in one of the world’s most dynamic business ecosystems. The experience began with a welcome dinner for immersion participants at a local hot pot restaurant.
Day 2 featured a walking tour of the Peking University campus, led by UCL MBA with Peking University alumnus Chandler Yu, followed by a lecture from Professor Min Wang of Peking University. Students then attended a panel discussion chaired by Professor Chugh, featuring UCL School of Management Alumni Advisory Council members and Beijing Alumni Club Management Co-leads Allen Chen and Jimmy Yang, as well as alumni Sun Yue and Yanke Lyu, who shared their insights on industry trends and innovation in China.
The day concluded with a networking dinner organised by the UCL Beijing Alumni Club Management Chapter at the Shangri-La Hotel, where UCL MBA students connected with classmates and alumni from the UCL MBA with Peking University programme.
On Friday, students visited Xiaoduo Intelligent Technology, a leading AI company pioneering digital human solutions. They then explored the AI Genesis Community, a government-endorsed innovation hub and public service platform, before heading to Plug and Play Beijing, an ecosystem supporting start-ups and technological collaboration. The day concluded with a city walk through Beijing’s historic hutongs, led by Chandler Yu, offering insights into the city’s rich culture and history.
The final day, Saturday, began with a wrap-up and reflection session led by Harveen Chugh and Dr Michael Manlangit, followed by a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. The immersion concluded with a traditional farewell dinner and dumpling-making workshop at Black Sesame Kitchen, combining cultural immersion with community and connection.
Discussing this year’s immersion event, Programme Director Professor Harveen Chugh said: “This was our first UCL MBA Global Immersion and it was an amazing milestone for our programme. The MBA Immersions are a crucial touchpoint for our MBA students and alumni to build strong connections with each other. This immersion in particular was special as we also connected with our wider family and cohort of the UCL MBA with Peking. Our sincere thanks go to the UCL SoM Global Engagement Team and our Peking University partners who provided invaluable support to make this visit happen. We hope this is the start of many more UCL MBA Global Immersions to come.”
Julia Chapman, Senior Global Engagement Officer also highlights the importance of global learning experiences: “Global experiential learning is essential for preparing students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. Through international partnerships such as our MBA collaboration with the National School of Development at Peking University, SoM students can gain global insights and networks.”
We would also like to thank the alumni who contributed their time and expertise, as well as our students for embracing this unique experience.
