The prestigious Shanghai Tongji University MBA/EMBA Study Tour 2024, which included five faculty members and 50 students, recently made a significant stop in Innsbruck, featuring a series of insightful presentations, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities. Hosted at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, the event showcased the collaboration between international academic institutions and highlighted the intersection of academia and industry.

The day began with a warm welcome speech and introduction of MCI by Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger, Associate Dean of International Relations at MCI, setting the stage for a day filled with knowledge sharing and discussions on key business topics.

Prof. Anita Zehrer, Head of the R&D Unit Management & Society and Head of the Family Business Center at MCI delivered the first keynote presentation, "Family Business - Backbone of our Economy," exploring the vital role of family businesses in the global economy.

Following this, Eduard Fröschl junior, Chairman of Junge Industrie Tirol, presented "Industry in Tyrol," offering insights into the industrial landscape of Tyrol and the contributions of young industry leaders.

The third keynote, "The World of Swarovski Optik," was presented by Dale Forbes, Head of Strategic Business Development at Swarovski Optik. Forbes provided an overview of the strategic initiatives and innovations driving the success of Swarovski Optik.

A panel Q&A session, moderated by Prof. Wei Manske-Wang, Head of the China Center at MCI, allowed participants to delve deeper into the topics presented and engage actively with the speakers.

After a short break and photo session, the event continued with a workshop titled "Futures Thinking in Entrepreneurship," moderated by Prof. Oliver Som, member of the MCI UNESCO Chair in Futures Capability for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Head of the Research Area “Entrepreneurship”. This interactive session focused on fostering innovative thinking and future-oriented strategies in entrepreneurship.

The event concluded with a city walkthrough of Innsbruck, allowing participants to explore Innsbruck's cultural and historical aspects.

The Shanghai Tongji MBA/EMBA Study Tour 2024 in Innsbruck, represented a unique opportunity for participants to gain valuable insights in Europe, engage with local experts, and build international connections in Tyrol, Austria.