On 2/3 June 2019, 60 students with numbers of teachers and the vice dean of Jiangsu University went for an academic trip to in Jiangsu province, China with an aim to visit the Agricultural mechanization companies and share the Chinese and foreigner’s experiences on the real world. In the first day, we started the trip from our University (Jiangsu University) on ( 2nd June) at 8:30 am and we arrived at 1.30 pm in Yuncheng City. We planned to visit the Jiangsu Sheng Huang Hai Nong Chang Co. Ltd. company and also to see its products and farm. 

    During that the company giving us a branding workshop tour and interesting presentations to find out the comparison between local and overseas products’ labeling that showed the Chinese powerful and technology. The company gave us the opportunity to discuss the technical matters with the Germany consultant engineering that they praise well on Chinese products. In the second day, we planned to visit Jiangsu Yueda Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Co., Ltd. Company to see the line production and the new technology of manufacturing the agricultural tractors. Interesting presentations with technical support have been discussed between the overseas students and the company stuff that enrich our knowledge and give a clear view of the highly efficient of Chinese technology. After that, we visited the Xinghua farm to see the application of the grain harvesting machines and also visit the Jiangsu Agricultural Exposition Park to enjoy the scenery of the plantation. 

    We were guided by a tour by a host who explained in detail about the product labeling. During the tour, we jotted down some notes and interviewed the host about how the local products could be marketed overseas. The question and answers session between us and the host took about 3 hours in each place. we also managed to collect as many as good brochures and posters relating to this. Due to time constraint, as there were many things to watch and to ask, we tried to get contact numbers of the host to arrange future work. We learned various things about the factories, and we found out that creativity was shown by University students to help the local products to be marketed overseas or at least reach the overseas’ labeling standard. The conduciveness of the environment of the factories helped us learn more on the product which could help us to apply in the future especially for those who are interested in business.

Achievements

During the two days of the academic visit at these places we gain more achievements as follows:

• Get ideas of Chinese industry and development especially in agricultural mechanization.

• Provide us with practical and theoretical experience of the agricultural mechanization industry in China, where many worlds leading agricultural mechanization technologies are researched, developed and implemented.

• Offered to us an opportunity to learn from other cultures and give us a well-rounded foundation upon which to build our knowledge for future careers in the industry.

• Provide us an opportunity to showcase Chinese routine at the factories, and in particular, discuss the types of research, programs, and technologies that are taking place within the department of mechanization Engineering in the factories.

• The trip provided a good mix of education and free time. This allowed the entire group to learn a lot about the agricultural mechanization industry and explore the culture and landscape of China. Two days was an ideal length of time for this trip due to the number of activities involved.

• Get exposure to products and also to learn about the labeling of products comparison between local products and overseas product.

Student Testimonials

Besides the academic and technical information gained from this trip, my own testimonials can be summarized as:

• Getting to go outside and demo the machines and industry got me really excited for my future in Agricultural engineering field.

• Walking around streets especially in the evening filled with buildings that have historical meaning was an enjoyable part of the trip.

• The academic trip to Chinese industry was definitely a highlight during my Ph.D. degree. I was able to learn a lot as well as travel to many places in China.

• Not only did our group travel across the country meeting people from various regions, but I also had the opportunity to see how many of the courses studied in my degree are implemented in real life.

• This trip was an amazing way to end my three years at Jiangsu University with ambitions and expand my scope to include future options internationally.

• It was an amazing experience that I would not have had the means to do on my own.

• The trip seemed to go by really fast as we saw so many different cities, and tours which provided a nice cultural and educational experience, not to mention a whole lot of fun.

• The time spent in Yuncheng city provided to me

• a chance to experience things that very few people are fortunate enough to see and these will be memories that stay with me for the rest of my life.

• Overall the one thing I have taken away from this trip can be described in one word: Inspired!! that I will never forget.

   This fantastic opportunity would not have been possible without the generous funding provided by CSC (Chinese scholarship council) Student Activities Fund. Each student was awarded a fully funded cost of this trip including traveling, housing, and food, which made it much more affordable and accessible for everyone involved. Thank you, CSC!

    Many thanks to all of the industries and tour guides that were responsible for making this trip the success that it was. This experience would not be possible without your continued support. Thanks also to Ph.D. student leaders that were responsible for teams for providing the care and the responsibility. These contacts were invaluable and helped make the trip what it was.