Students participate in the third international business simulation competition at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Last week's international business simulation competition, hosted at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, highlighted the capabilities of international students in China and demonstrated the growing convergence of artificial intelligence with business education.
Drawing 450 participants from 74 countries and regions, the third edition of the two-day event brought together 140 teams from 25 Chinese universities. The competition, which ran from Dec 2 to 3, emphasized AI-driven business decision-making while promoting sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. Shenzhen University's "absolute four" team emerged victorious among 33 finalist teams.
"As a pioneer in business education in China, SUFE maintains its commitment to cultivating financial talent while embracing digital transformation," Yao Lingzhen, SUFE vice-president, said at the opening ceremony.
"The incorporation of 'AI coach' in this year's competition reflects our innovative approach to combining artificial intelligence with practical business education, building upon our recent advances in financial education and reasoning models," Yao added.
The competition's cross-disciplinary format united students from diverse academic backgrounds. "Our team's varied expertise in economics, international affairs, and journalism sparked productive debates that enriched our decision-making process," said Chong Hong Xuan, a Malaysian international student at Fudan University.
The third international business simulation competition is hosted at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Lee Sung-bok, a South Korean student at SUFE, worked alongside peers from Malaysia and Panama.
"While our cultural differences initially posed challenges, they ultimately became our strength," Lee said.
"Our team's multilingual capabilities in English, Korean, and Spanish proved to be a strategic advantage."
Lee emphasized the role of AI assistance during the competition, citing the AI coach's practical strategic guidance.
"China's rapid AI development is remarkable. The future lies in human-AI collaboration," he said.
"This simulation has been an invaluable learning experience," said Aicha Souly, a Moroccan student at Beijing International Studies University.
"The one-hour rounds were intense, requiring rapid analysis of numbers, calculations, forecasting, and competitive strategy assessment."
Her teammate, Mishel Zahid from Pakistan, reflected on her experience: "My studies in China have provided deep insights into the competitive, fast-paced nature of global markets, enhancing my ability to analyze international business trends with greater confidence and expertise."
