.png?sfvrsn=2cc170ed_0)
Exploring China's Innovation Frontier: Strategies for Sustainable Business Growth
China's vast consumer market presents expansion prospects to Singapore businesses. Due to overwhelming demand, we are back with a new run of this course for 2026. It aims to explore the dynamic landscape of innovation in China, with a focus on strategies that drive sustainable business growth. As a global powerhouse of innovation, China serves as a case study for an in-depth exploration of the key factors contributing to its success.
Learners will acquire knowledge and skills in networking and business expansion in China. They will cultivate a proactive mindset and readiness for China's evolving business landscape. Through seminars, meeting with senior executives, and visits to leading companies, learners will gain firsthand insights into China’s innovation frontier.
Important Dates
- Friday 2 January 2026: Registration Deadline
- Wednesday 7 January 2026: Confirmation of Registration
- Thursday 15 January 2026: Payment Deadline
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse the business landscape in China and state how to capitalize it for business expansion.
- Establish networks and gain valuable insights from experienced entrepreneurs and business owners/senior executives in China.
- Gain an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the business culture in China.
- Describe the importance of being future-ready and able to apply the knowledge.
- Describe how data and information can be used effectively
Who Should Attend?
This programme is suitable for Directors, Business leaders and Senior Executives from Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) and Transformation Offices who are keen to learn innovative strategies for sustainable business growth and also to establish business network in China.
Certification
 | Upon completion of the programme, participants who achieved at least 75% attendance and passed all required assessments will be awarded a hard copy Certification of Completion from NTU and a Certificate of Participation from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. |
Programme Fee and Funding Support
Standard Course Fee: S$9,771.85
SSG Funding Support | Course fee | Course fee payable after SSG funding, if eligible under various schemes | ||
Before funding & GST | After funding & 9% GST | After maximum usage of $800 NTU Alumni Course Credit and after funding (if applicable) & 9% GST | ||
Singapore Citizens (SCs) aged ≥ 40 years old (Up to 70% funding) |
|
| S$3,256.35 | |
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) (Up to 70% funding) |
S$3,771.85 |
- | ||
Singapore Citizens (SCs) aged < 40 years old or Permanent Residents (PRs) (Up to 50% funding) |
S$5,289.35 |
S$4,889.35 | ||
1SSG Funded Courses - Eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents must attain at least 75% training attendance and pass all associated assessments. Learners will have to bear the
full courses fee upon failure to meet either one of the requirements.
- NTU/NIE alumni may utilise their NTU Alumni Course Credits capped at S$800.
- All Singapore Citizens who are 25 years or above is eligible to utilise their SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) for this course but not applicable to utilise the $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career).
For more information, please click here. Eligible employers may also tap on the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) to further offset course fees. Learn more about SFEC here.
Flight and Hotel Accommodation Fee
- Programme schedule and itineraries are subject to availability and changes. Participants to arrange and purchase own air tickets, travel insurance, and VISA (if required).
- Hotel accommodation will be arranged by NTU. The cost is partially funded by SSG and each participant will have to co-pay S$600 nett for a 6-night stay, single occupancy with breakfast.
Contact Us
Course Outline
In Singapore
Course Date: 10 March 2026, Tuesday
Topic: Innovation & Entrepreneurship in a Digital Future
- The emerging technologies with real business impact
- Design thinking and business model creation: value propositions
- Technology-driven new application scenarios and disruptive innovations
- The lean start-up and organisational agility
- Technology management and digital transformation
Course Date: 11 March 2026, Wednesday
Topic: Innovation & Entrepreneurship in a Digital Future
(Compulsory attendance for participants to be eligible for SSG funding.)
Programme Director
Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Division of Strategy, International Business & Entrepreneurship, Nanyang Business School
Dr. YAN Li is currently a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of the Strategic Management Programme in Strategy, IB & Entrepreneurship Division (SIE) at Nanyang Business School (NBS). He is also the Co-Director of the M.Sc. in Engineering Management and the Graduate Certificate of Engineering Leadership Programme. Both are joint programmes of NBS and the School of Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.
He is also a member of the Academic Committee of the Global FinTech Institute (GFI). He was previously the Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the Blockchain Association Singapore (BAS). He also took responsibility as the Director of Bilingual MBA (Part-time) and Deputy Director of Nanyang Jiaotong Mandarin EBMA (Part-time) at NBS. He also served as a member of the External Committee at NBS from 2019 to 2022.
Prior to his responsibility at NTU, he took the dual appointment as Full Professor of Practice of Strategic Management and Director of Executive Education & International MBA at International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU), Suzhou, China. Dr. Yan was the director of the "631 Project for International Talents Development, CRRC" and was awarded the Outstanding Young Educational Talent Award by the Singapore Industrial Park (SIP) in Jiangsu, China.
He was a Senior Lecturer of Strategic Management at Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) and Programme Director in the Executive Development Department (ExD) at Singapore Management University (SMU) after he left the responsibility of Director of DBA and Executive Education at Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU). He also worked at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) as a programme director in the Executive Training Division. Dr. Yan participated in research funded by Hydro-Québec, the world's most profitable state-owned enterprise (SOE), and contributed to the publication of the French monograph "Société d'État? Pourquoi pas? (State-owned Enterprises Can Also Be an Option)". He also participated in the compilation of the part on Eastern strategic thinking in the EU's "Encyclopaedia of European Strategic Management".
Dr. YAN holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Strategic Management and Business Policy) from HEC Montréal, Québec, Canada.
In Beijing, China
The classroom sessions and industry visits are conducted and organised by School of Continuing Education, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Day 1: 16 March 2026, Monday
Topic: Industrial Innovation and Corporate Strategy in the Digital Economy Era 数字经济时代的产业创新与公司战略
This course explores industrial innovation and corporate strategy in the digital economy era, covering the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI applications, China’s digital transformation, and global competition trends. It analyses key features and challenges of the digital economy, including accelerated innovation, shifting rules, and digital-physical integration. Using cases analyse how enterprises leverage technology, global branding, and entrepreneurship to achieve growth, helping participants grasp strategic opportunities in the digital age.
Trainer
吴金希教授
Professor WU Jinxi
Professor and doctoral supervisor at the Institute of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University
He is also the Director of the Research Center for Strategic Emerging Industries at Tsinghua University. Additionally, he serves as Chairman of the "Innovation and Green Development Committee" at China Society for Sustainable Development, Executive Director of China.
Development Strategy Research Society, and Vice Chairman of the Innovation Committee. His research interests encompass innovation policy, strategic management, industrial competitiveness, sociology of science and technology.
Day 2: 17 March 2026, Tuesday
Topic: Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing 工业4.0与智能制造
This course provides a comprehensive overview of Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing, covering the evolution of industrialisation, integration of informatisation and industrialisation, smart factory architecture, and key technologies. Through case studies, it explores practical applications, digital transformation paths, and challenges, equipping participants to design and implement intelligent manufacturing systems effectively.
Trainer
朱峰教授
Dr. ZHU Feng
Director, Intelligent Manufacturing Laboratory, Fundamental Industry Training Centre, Tsinghua University
Dr. Zhu Feng serves as the director of Intelligent Manufacturing Laboratory of Fundamental Industry Training Centre, Tsinghua University. His main research interests include industrial internet, intelligent manufacturing, artificial intelligence, intelligent hardware, 5G/6G wireless communication, radar signal processing and IoT.
Day 3: 18 March 2026, Wednesday
Topic: Big data, Cloud Computing and Future Industrial Development 大数据、云计算与未来产业发展
This course focuses on the role of big data and cloud computing in future industrial development, introducing the DaaS platform with 500 billion deep data points and its applications in building industrial chain agents. It covers data governance, multi-source database integration, and case studies in government, consulting, and investment sectors, demonstrating how AI agents enhance efficiency in risk warning and decision-making. The course also explores vertical AI models, data barriers, and industry opportunities, equipping participants to lead data-driven industrial intelligence transformation.
Visit to a top AI company: iFlytek (科大讯飞)
Trainer
李超教授
Professor LI Chao
Associate Professor at the National Research Center for Information, School of Information Science and Technology, Tsinghua University
In the field of data and knowledge engineering, she has been dedicated to ensuring secure and efficient storage, organization, management, and analysis of massive data along with its practical applications.
Day 4: 19 March 2026, Thursday
Topic: Green Economy and Sustainable Development 绿色经济与可持续发展
This course explores the core issues of green economy and sustainable development, focusing on the impact of EU green trade policies on global supply chains. It covers industrial transformation under carbon neutrality goals, full-lifecycle sustainability requirements, non-price criteria in renewable energy tenders, and corporate strategies (carbon footprint management, green electricity solutions, ESG disclosure). Through case studies in photovoltaic (PV), steel, and batteries, it analyses business opportunities and compliance paths behind green regulations, equipping participants to navigate policy compliance and enhance market competitiveness in the context of sustainable development.
Visit to a manufacturer of renewable energy: Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone (大兴国际氢能示范区)
Trainer
吴必轩
WU Bixuan
Deputy Director of Tiangong Think Tank Center, Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua, Invited Researcher of China Carbon Neutrality 50 Forum, Founder of Climate Perspective, Senior Partner of Hiways (Beijing) Law Firm
Focuses on climate measures with trade implications, such as the EU CBAM, EU ETS and the regulatory framework of supply chain decarbonization and sustainability, renewable energy and sustainable fuels.
Day 5: 20 March 2026, Friday
Topic: Investment and Financing in China and Path Analysis 在华投融资与路径分析
This course systematically analyses China's investment and financing environment and pathways, focusing on China’s investment and financing policies, and the current status of the financial capital market (stock market, IPO fluctuations, private equity investment), and development opportunities against the backdrop of China-US competition. It proposes eight business opportunities: supporting Chinese enterprises in overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As), overseas authorised listing of competitive projects, global capital mergers and restructuring, monetisation of overseas technologies in China, strategic investment by foreign capital in listed companies, "low-risk" private equity funds & overseas expansion, foreign capital access through asset securitisation, and integration of brand channels and manufacturing acquisitions. Combining policy interpretation and cases it provides participants with practical investment and financing strategies in China and sustainable development pathways.
Trainer
周立
ZHOU Li
Professor, Senior Researcher and Doctoral Supervisor, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University
He has served as the Director of the Science and Technology Development Department of Tsinghua University, the Director of the National Technology Transfer Center of Tsinghua University, the Deputy Secretary-General of Tsinghua University, and the President of Hebei Tsinghua Development Research Institute. His research achievements have won the First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress of the National Development and Reform Commission. He has authored over 80 scholarly articles and economic commentaries in leading journals such as China Soft Science, Economic Science, and Peking University Business Review, as well as in prominent newspapers like the Overseas Edition of People's Daily and Wenhui Daily.
Remarks:
- Learners should have an understanding of Mandarin.
- Programme schedule and itineraries are subject to availability and changes. Participants to arrange and purchase own air tickets, travel insurance, and VISA (if required).
- Hotel accommodation will be arranged by NTU. The cost is partially funded by SSG and each participant will have to co-pay S$600 nett for a 6-night stay, single occupancy with breakfast.
About Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University is a prestigious institution of higher education in China, located in the picturesque Tsinghua Garden in the northwest suburbs of Beijing. It serves as a crucial base for high-level talent cultivation and scientific research. The university's predecessor, Tsinghua School, was established in 1911, marking 113 years since its inception. Currently, Tsinghua University comprises 22 schools and 59 departments, evolving into a comprehensive research university encompassing disciplines such as science, engineering, literature, arts, history, philosophy, economics, management, law, education, and medicine. Looking ahead, Tsinghua University will adhere to its motto" Strive Continuously to Strengthen Oneself, Have Ample Virtue and Carry All Things" and its ethos "Actions Speak Louder than Words." The university will continue to uphold its educational philosophy of integrating Chinese and Western traditions, blending ancient and modern knowledge, and merging the sciences with the humanities. Fostering well-rounded growth, Tsinghua University will also promote its traditions of dedication, the pursuit of excellence, and the spirit of advancing humanism. Furthermore, Tsinghua will continue to develop world-class universities and disciplines, making new and significant contributions to national development, the well-being of the people, and the advancement of human civilization.
The School of Continuing Education at Tsinghua University was established in 1985 and is the first continuing education school among Chinese universities, approved by the Ministry of Education.
The school actively aligns with national strategic needs, focusing on the fundamental task of cultivating well-rounded talent. It implements Tsinghua University's educational philosophy of value shaping, capability training, and knowledge imparting. Leveraging Tsinghua's distinguished faculty, robust research capabilities, and extensive international influence, the school integrates high-quality educational resources from both domestic and international sources to deliver high-level, high-standard, and high-quality continuing education. It promotes integrated teaching and actively explores innovative digital teaching models.
The school provides programs that encompass six main themes:
- Training local officials
- Supporting local economic development
- Meeting the strategic talent needs of key enterprises
- Offering training for industry/professional talents
- Supporting the talent cultivation of first-rate universities and disciplines
- Facilitating international cooperation and exchange