A delegation of over 40 students and faculty from MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program visited Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) from March 24 to 28, 2026, aiming to promote mutual understanding and foster future collaboration. Led by Dr. Joshua Jacobs, Co-Director of MIT’s LGO program, the visit has fostered a profound and cherished partnership between the two universities over the past 19 years since the launch of their joint CLGO program—a collaboration that will mark its 20th anniversary in 2027.

A key highlight of the visit was a cross-cultural communication lecture held on the morning of March 27 at ACEM. The event, hosted by Associate Professor Cao Yufeng, Director of the CLGO program, was attended by Dean Chen Fangruo, Dean of Antai College of Economics and Management, Professor Lu Lin, Chair of the Department of Organizational Management, and 20 current CLGO students.

In his welcome address, Dean Chen extended warm greetings to the MIT delegation, noting that 2026 coincides with SJTU’s 130th anniversary—a pivotal year for deepening bilateral cooperation. He emphasized SJTU’s long-standing mission of nurturing talents and serving the nation as one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities, and outlined Antai’s legacy, tracing its origins to 1918 when SJTU established China’s first railway management program. Guided by the philosophy of “Interdisciplinary Integration, Unity of Knowledge and Practice” Antai has evolved into a world-class business school rooted in China, blending discipline-focused research with industry-driven initiatives.

Following Dean Chen’s remarks, Professor Lu Lin delivered an engaging cross-cultural communication workshop, using real-world cases to illustrate that effective communication transcends mere information transmission—it requires a holistic understanding of goals, audiences, credibility, and cultural context. Centered on the “Aim-Audience-Credibility-Context” framework, the session included group collaborations and interactive exercises, fostering genuine connections and deeper mutual understanding between Chinese and American students.

After the workshop, the MIT delegation toured SJTU’s campus, gaining first-hand insight into the university’s rich history, academic traditions, and inclusive atmosphere, as well as Antai’s strengths in international education, industry-academia integration, and talent development. The afternoon featured a cultural experience: movable type printing, where the visitors learned about traditional Chinese printing craftsmanship through hands-on practice, from typesetting to inking and printing.

The delegation then embarked on a citywalk through Shanghai’s iconic Wukang Road, “Jufuchang” block, and Jing’an Temple, experiencing the city’s unique blend of historical charm, urban vitality, and modern international flair—extending the exchange beyond the campus to the broader cultural landscape.

The visit concluded with a grand dinner attended by representatives from Antai’s full-time, part-time, and Singapore-based MBA programs. Students from diverse professional and academic backgrounds exchanged insights on career development, cross-cultural collaboration, and management practices, embodying Antai’s open and inclusive international spirit.

This exchange not only showcased Antai’s commitment to global engagement but also reaffirmed the value of cross-cultural dialogue: building connections through understanding, fostering friendship through interaction, and broadening horizons through mutual learning.