The 2008 Tsinghua SEM-MIT Sloan MBA China Lab project formally kicked off on January 16.

The China Lab is an exceptional new program, combining traditional classroom learning with intensive real-world experience. Teams in similar programs at MIT Sloan and Tsinghua will have a chance to work on internationalization strategies, new market entry analysis, capital-raising (domestic and foreign) strategies, marketing analysis, pricing research, product development, commercialization of technology, competitive landscape assessment, customer relationship strategies, or a number of other concerns. The China Lab teams will be composed by two MIT Sloan MBAs and two to three Tsinghua international MBAs. Student teams will work on a mini-consulting project for essentially a two-month period. They will meet on the MIT Sloan campus in the United States, talking with their companies by phone and email, and fixing scope and deliverables.

Executive Director of Tsinghua MBA Programs Mao Donghui acknowledged, with kicking off of the China Lab project, it has also signified that the practice study method of Tsinghua SEM has a new breakthrough.

Associate Professor Yang Delin said MBA education is a practical education indeed, only by practice can students master what they have learnt and China Lab is such a good practice opportunity for the students to use their knowledge learnt in the classroom. On the other hand, the project also provided opportunity for the enterprises to solve problems they have met in the growth process. So China Lab is in fact a win-win program.

In the kick-off ceremony, Tsinghua SEM awarded certificates of cooperation to the related enterprises. Representatives from the participating companies said they would provide all possible help to the students and they would like to set up long-term relationships with Tsinghua SEM through this program.

(From MBA Center)