CHINA JOURNEY 2016: THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE PAR EXCELLENCE

The 18th edition of the now famous Campus Group T Classic had 125 students of the third bachelor stage in Engineering enlisted this year. From 20 March to 7 April, they criss-crossed the immense country split up into four traveling groups.

Beyond Engineering

The China Journey is no classic ‘school trip’ and even less a tourist outing. As a study tour, it fits entirely in the ‘Beyond Engineering’ concept of the Faculty of Engineering Technology as well as the 5 E-profile of Campus Group T, the purpose of which is to educate resourceful, entre - preneuring, inquisitive and internationally oriented engineers.

Staying on the campuses of the partner universities certainly ensures a great deal of added value, not only by seeing Chinese students in their natural ‘habitat’ but also by visiting labs and attending students’ gatherings.

Company visits

Special attention was paid to the company visits. The Electronics Engineering Students were guests at Philips Lighting in Shanghai, Qoros Auto Co in Changhu, Norotron in Hangzhou and Berry Callebaut Chocolates in Suzhou. The Chemical and Biochemical Engineering students visited Umicore and Eurofin in Shanghai. The Electro mechanical Engineering groups were received at Volvo in Chengdu, Thibault Packaging in Xi’an, PEC in Shanghai, Atlas Copco and Donaldson in Wuxi and Changke Track Vehicles Co and Lifan Automobiles in Chongqing. In Suzhou, students visited the Chinese branch of Picanol, a Flemish loom manufacturer controlling a large segment of the Chinese market.

Diplomatic recognition

The highlight of the China Journey 2016 was beyond all doubt the visit at the Belgian Embassy in Beijing. The Electromechanical Engineering students were welcomed by H.E. Michel Malherbe and his secretaries Wilfried Pfeffer and Eduard van Kleunen. After a presentation of the diplomatic, political and economic duties of the Embassy, the students were invited to an informal reception in the Ambassador’s residence. It was the pinnacle of an unforgettable learning experience.

Yves Persoons