From August 11 to 18, 2019, 15 Ph.D. candidates from the School of Economics, Zhejiang University, went to Britain to attend Zhejiang University —Cambridge University Joint Ph.D. Finance and Technology Workshop & Forum. Ph.D. students from both universities discussed frontier academic issues related to economics and finance. This forum not only promotes the construction of the “Double First-Class” project as well as the internationalization of School of Economics, but also contributes to the building and improvement of a sound communication and cooperation mechanism for Ph.D. students.

 A photo of all participants

I. The Cambridge University Academic Workshop

On August 12 and 13, 2019, 15 Ph.D. students from Zhejiang University held in-depth academic exchanges with professors and Ph.D. students of Judge Business School and  Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge.

The first day starts with reports of three doctoral students from Cambridge University. Dr. Josh Platzky Miller presented a study entitled “Reimaging Education in Times of Rupture”. His research focuses on the development of education in Brazil and South Africa. He uses qualitative and quantitative research to summarize the characteristics and current demands of the development of education in both countries.

 Dr. Josh Platzky Miller is delivering his report

Kiryl Zach’s report is related to “Political Economy of Industrial Policy in Poland: A Study of Selected Aspects”. He carefully combs and analyzes the industrial policies of various countries, and focuses on Poland’s industrial policies from 1918 to 2019, especially its geopolitical changes and political policy reforms.

Dr. Kiryl Zach is delivering his report

Kalifa Damani, the third Ph.D. candidate, delivered a report entitled “Confidence Identity and Technology Self-efficacy-Related to Student Background”. It is about a field experiment in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Based on the Caribbean government’s natural experiment on computer investment policy, she studies the influence of technology on self-efficacy from academic, social and entrepreneurship perspectives through questionnaires.

 Dr. Kalifa Damani is delivering her report

 Attentive audience

15 doctoral students from Zhejiang University reported their research results in two sessions on the afternoon of August 12 and 13. The topics include enterprise strategies, foreign investment, knowledge spillover, pricing strategies, economic preference, social preference, medical market, corruption, etc. Prof. Eric Levy, Prof. David Stillwell, Dr. Jostein Hauge (Senior Fellow) from Cambridge University, Prof. SONG Huasheng from Zhejiang University and Dr. Maurice Yearwood (Senior Consultant of JP Morgan & KPMG) participated in the academic meeting and gave excellent comments.

 15 ZJU Ph.D. candidates are sharing their reports

After the reports, Prof. SONG Huasheng from School of Economics of Zhejiang University presented gifts to the judges.

ZJU presents gifts to the judges

II. The Cambridge University Research Innovation Forum

On the morning of the 13th, Lord Alec Boksenberg, Professor of Cambridge University, former Director of the Royal Observatoryat Greenwich, gave an academic report. He shared information about University of Cambridge, astronomy, Hawking and the relationship between human beings and the universe. A gift was also presented to him. 

 Prof. Alec Boksenberg is giving a speech

In the following day, the Ph.D. students visited the Cambridge Science Park. Professor Zhang Xiangcheng, Academician of the Royal Society, shared his idea of “Science for Industry”, as well as more than 30 years of research experience and innovative practice. Dr. Patrick Horsley, President of Cambridge Visits, introduced the history of innovation, management systems and future development opportunities for high-tech enterprises in Cambridge Science Park. In the afternoon, the students went to Wellcome Sanger Institute to observe the scientific research and operation mode of gene sequencing engineering at close range.

 Visits to Cambridge Science Park and Wellcome Sanger Institute

III. A Tour of British Finance and Culture

During the 15th and 18th, the Ph.D. students made a field trip to London’s financial industry, visiting the Bank of England Museum in London and Canary Wharf, one of the world financial centers. They also visited the famous Tower Bridge and the British Museum. London, a city that combines simplicity and modernity, has left a vivid impression on every one. On the last day, the doctoral students also visited University of Oxford, once again feeling the important role of Britain in the history of scientific development, as well as its the long-standing cultural heritage.

 The end of the tour