2007 Dalian Workshop - Chinese Technology Transfer Study Tour

JUNE 30 - JULY 8, 2007

Directly following the Workshop, a student-led study tour with the assistance of the UCSB Technology Management Program took place in Beijing and Shanghai. Students (equally UCSB and DICP) traveled to business industrial regions and toured technology corporations to learn about successful foreign-run businesses. The goal of the tour was to learn how an education in Science can be successfully translated into a career in the business world, especially on an international front.

Though the tour was largely student organized and attended, a few interested and knowledgeable faculty were in attendance. Karen Bogart, adjunct lecturer for the TMP (Technology Management Program) on campus, and former Chinese business liaison for the Kodak Company was an invaluable asset to the tour. Karen taught the corresponding TMP course Spring quarter, "Technology Business in Asia" as a precursor to the study tour. Also in attendance was Gary Hansen, Associate Dean of the TMP and Co-director of the Graduate Program in Management Practice at UCSB.

STUDENT ORGANIZERS

UCSB:
Rob Savinelli, third year grad student in Chemical Engineering. Rob was one of the three UCSB students chosen for the first extended research visit in Dalian, China last year. A slide presentation of his research experience can be seen here.

Rachel Parker, graduate student in the Center for Nanotechnology in Society (CNS), was heavily involved in arranging the tour logistics for all participants. She is also involved in the TMP, and has previously spent time in China.

DICP:
Zheng Heng is one of two extended research visitors from Dalian to first research here at UCSB. He has since returned to Dalian and the DICP, and proved to be an invaluable asset in coordinating overseas travel for the American attendees.

STUDY TOUR ITINERARY
Saturday, 30 June 2007
On Saturday the students from the workshop flew to Beijing from Dalian, where they met up with the rest of their tour from UCSB. A group dinner had been arranged for their first night, complete with entertainment. While in Beijing, some of the students also found time to visit its most famous landmarks, including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the open air markets.

Sunday, 1 July 2007
All Day: Group Tour, Great Wall

The group spent their first day in Beijing at one of the seven wonders - the Great Wall of China. Lucky for them, the rains down-poured the day before, leaving a clear and bright day for them to traverse the ancient wall and take spectacular pictures.

Monday, 2 July 2007
10:30AM-12:00PM - Tour of Microsoft R&D center (NW Beijing).
2:00-5:00PM - Visit Tsinghua University.

BP Clean Energy Research and Education Center
2:30PM - Jim Brock Presentation: "Almost Impossible Goals"

The first official day of the tour started at Microsoft, where the tour learned about the main issues that the company faces as their presence in China grows. The group then headed to Tsinghua University, where they were given a presentation at the BP Clean Energy Research and Education Center. The director of the center, Professor Li Zheng discussed energy saving approaches, such as efficient biomass utilization, that were being evaluated by the center's researchers. Jim Brock, an energy consultant with Cambridge Energy Research Associates, recounted his experiences building and operating coal-powered electrical plants in China. Of particular interest were his explanations of the unique advantages and barriers he faced throughout his career in Asia.

Tuesday, 3 July 2007
9:00AM -Shoudou Steel
2:30-4:30PM - Visit Bill Chang at the NSF Beijing office.
6:30PM - Fly from Beijing to Shanghai.

Before heading off to Shanghai, the group visited the Shoudou Steel factory. Hard hats were obligatory, as the students were shown the various stages of steel production. One of the stops was the high-temperature pouring room where the steel is poured into the furnaces, followed by the rolling out of the steel into sheets. Not only was there a strong smell of sulfur prevelant throughout the tour, the heat from the steel was incredibly intense as the students were lead past operational equipment at a very close proximity of about 10m.Next on the itinerary was the National Science Foundation's Beijing Office. The NSF is credited for making this trip financially possible for our PIRE-ECCI students. Bill Chang, NSF Beijing office director, discussed the role that America plays in academic science research in China.

Wednesday, 4 July 2007
2:00-4:00PM - Visit Accelergy.

Accelergy Corporation is a research and development company collaborating with global strategic partners to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of advanced materials utilized in the clean fuel and alternative resource application markets. Students were lead through five laboratories where catalysts were being screened using high throughput techniques.

Thursday, 5 July 2007
8:00AM - Steve Mullinjer, Heidrick and Struggles
10:00-11:30AM - GE China Learning Center (Customer Executive Program)
2:00-4:30PM - Visit UOP/Honeywell plant.

Students met with different project managers at GE and were taken to the showroom which displayed new and emerging technology models. Most students were unaware of the different products GE is involved in developing, such as bio-imaging, jet engines, automotive paint, automotive LEDs, efficient locomotives, plastics, solar energy, and wind energy.At Honeywell, the students were shown working laboratories where materials were used to manufacture zeolite. The Honeywell factory is partnered with the Chinese government, and had a strictly utilitarian feel, different than other labs visited on the tours.

Friday, 6 July 2007
9:00-11:30AM - Visit BP/SECCO Petroleum plant.
2:30-4:30PM - BASF R and D

The BP plant was located at a remote area near the coast. The management emphasized the importance of having stringent safety guidelines, which reflected in their clean records. Most impressive was the modern control room containing more than 100 different video monitors for the plant. The group was also given a standard Chinese lunch onsite before boarding a bus for a tour of the plant.Here the group was given an overview of the company, plant, and manufacturing process of polyurethane. This was followed by a factory and control room tour led by the plant manager.

End of Tour

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