Bridging Global Youth Dialogue: 2026 Antai Global Summer Program Hosts 110 Top Students from 30 Universities across 21 Nations 2026-07-26
The 2026 Antai Global Summer Program (AGSP) recently concluded at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Xuhui Campus. This year’s cohort brought together 110 elite young scholars representing 30 leading universities in 21 countries. Over three weeks, participants engaged in rigorous classroom learning, industry site visits, tech innovation workshops and immersive cultural outings, completing a comprehensive learning journey focused on China’s business landscape.
A closing ceremony was held on July 24 at the Pao Siu Loong Library to mark the program’s completion. Vice Dean Qu Xi delivered opening remarks, congratulating all graduates on their achievements. She encouraged students to carry forward their cross-cultural learnings, expand their global mindset and critical thinking, and leverage international networks to seize emerging opportunities. Vice Dean Qu also called on participants to act as young ambassadors, fostering stronger cultural and economic ties between China and the rest of the world.
At the ceremony, Qu Xi presented completion certificates to all participants who successfully finished the program, marking a perfect end to this rewarding, well-rounded edition of the Antai Global Summer Program (AGSP).
The closing ceremony was hosted by Chen Jing, Deputy Director of Antai’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange.
Students took initiative to launch a campus video project throughout the program, capturing their study experiences, urban landscapes across China and personal reflections from a young global business perspective. Seventeen participants submitted 13 original short video entries. After a peer-wide vote, five standout productions were honored with awards during the ceremony. These creative works preserved memorable summer moments and showcased the dynamic creativity of our global cohort.
In-Depth Academic Immersion: Unpacking China’s Economic Ecosystem
Built around three core pillars — China’s economic landscape, cutting-edge AI applications and real-world business strategy — AGSP 2026 delivers a fully English-taught curriculum designed for international learners.
Course modules span China’s economic growth path, macroeconomic transformation, behavioral economics and industrial AI deployment. Professors offer multi-angle insights rooted in history, global market dynamics and hands-on tech experimentation, equipping students with a clear framework to interpret China’s development model. Practical AI lab sessions further bridge theoretical knowledge with hands-on innovation, broadening participants’ intellectual horizons.
A brand-new highlight of this year’s program was the guest speaker series featuring Antai alumni executives and startup founders, which garnered glowing feedback from all international participants. Industry practitioners shared authentic case studies and frontline operational insights, breaking down how local Chinese enterprises operate amid shifting market trends. By connecting textbook theories to real industrial contexts, the program delivers a well-rounded learning model that balances academic rigor with practical business exposure.
“The curriculum is thoughtfully structured with a great balance between academic lectures, cultural engagement and coursework. Talks hosted by Antai alumni executives deliver profound insights, giving us an unfiltered view of how businesses operate within China’s domestic market,” one participant commented.
Many students named founder-led sharing sessions as their favorite part of the program. “I truly appreciate these conversations with startup founders. They walk us through real industry cases and on-the-ground business practices. I hope we can stay in touch with these entrepreneurs and explore viable avenues for future collaboration,” another scholar added.
Experiential Industry Visits: Exploring China’s Tech Innovation Frontiers
In line with its philosophy of integrating knowledge with practice, AGSP organized field trips to leading domestic tech firms including SenseTime, OYMotion and Xiaohongshu. These visits covered AI R&D, smart rehabilitation technology and social commerce, giving students unfiltered access to China’s fast-evolving industrial ecosystem.
During on-site exchanges, participants explored scalable AI solutions, tech-driven public welfare initiatives and digital commerce business models. Lively roundtable discussions covered industry innovation, tech ethics and sustainable growth. These site visits showcased the entrepreneurial energy and global competitiveness of Chinese tech startups, while reinforcing economic and technological concepts covered in class.
Immersive Cultural Journeys: Experiencing Modern China Beyond Textbooks
Beyond academics and industry visits, AGSP curated a series of immersive cultural excursions to help global students engage with authentic Chinese culture. Highlights included Huangpu River cruises showcasing Shanghai’s urban transformation, trips to Shanghai International Circuit blending tech and motorsport, walks through Wuzhen Water Town where traditional heritage meets modern life, intangible cultural heritage workshops making Nanxiang steamed buns, as well as tea art and traditional Chinese medicine sessions exploring Eastern lifestyle philosophies.
This dual-focus model — integrating elite business education with cultural immersion — creates an open platform for cross-border youth communication. It allows international participants to encounter a multifaceted, human-centered modern China through first-hand experience, rather than second-hand readings.
This year’s AGSP successfully serves as a vital bridge for cross-cultural academic exchange and youth dialogue. Moving forward, Antai College will continue refining its international education offerings and summer program curricula, welcoming more global young talents to engage with China and build worldwide connections for collaborative growth.
Antai Global Summer Program (AGSP)
Launched in 2013, the Antai Global Summer Program (AGSP) is Antai College’s flagship short-term international program. It delivers immersive learning opportunities centered on China’s business environment and cultural heritage for students worldwide.Running over three weeks with full English instruction, AGSP’s diverse schedule includes academic seminars, corporate site visits, Chinese language lessons and cultural workshops. Students who complete all required coursework and assessments will earn 3 academic credits awarded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Open to nominated exchange students from Antai’s partner institutions, outstanding undergraduates, postgraduates, recent graduates and young professionals aged 18+, AGSP welcomes applicants of all nationalities. Since its launch, the program has hosted over 500 participants from more than 30 countries and regions, including learners from world-class universities such as Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, National University of Singapore, University of British Columbia, University of Sydney, Technical University of Munich, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and HSE University.
AGSP takes place every July at SJTU’s Xuhui Campus. For full program details, visit our official website: https://summerschool.sjtu.edu.cn
