VIVES Delegation in Shanghai: A Week of Real-World Business Exposure

“Go big or go home” — that was the guiding principle this week at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China, as we welcomed a delegation of more than 200 students and teachers from VIVES University of Applied Sciences to Shanghai.

To provide maximum exposure and practical learning, the Chamber organized nine industry-focused seminars and company visits simultaneously across the city, each designed to give students a direct, behind-the-scenes look at doing business in China.

Learning from Practice Across Industries

Thanks to the strong engagement of our members, students were able to explore a wide range of sectors through hands-on sessions and real-world insights:

• At SinoUnited Health (曜影医疗), students explored the inner workings of a private healthcare provider in China, gaining insight into both operations and service delivery.

• At the St. Regis Shanghai, hosted by Matthieu Bertho, participants went behind the scenes of a luxury hotel, discovering what it takes to operate high-end hospitality in the Chinese market.

• Dr. Richard van Ostende (Institute for China Studies) delivered an introduction to the business landscape in China, offering a clear and structured overview of market dynamics.

• Hosted at Huiye Law Firm, experts from MSA, Timo Achterbosch and Timothy Man, guided students through China market entry strategies and the complexities of navigating the local business environment.

• At DaWo Law Firm Shanghai, Jan Van Loon (White Caviar) shared hands-on insights into marketing and entrepreneurship in China.

• At the Chamber’s office, Kris Van Goethem (Destination Sport) introduced students to international sports management and business development.

• At JET IT Services, Ervis Micukaj led a session focused on the real IT challenges companies face when operating in China, offering practical and experience-based perspectives.

Beyond Shanghai, part of the delegation visited companies in the Lingang area. Special thanks go to Hans Uitdenhouwen for organizing these visits. In addition, Zhejiang Dushan Port Economic Development Zone welcomed the students, where Jenny Jiang provided an insightful introduction to the Chemical Industry Park and offered a glimpse into local cultural activities.

Consul Café – Spring Edition

The program concluded on the evening of March 23rd with the Consul Café – Spring Edition, co-hosted together with the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Belgium in Shanghai.

The event brought together:

• Governor of West-Flanders, Carl Decaluwé

• 200+ VIVES students and teachers

• Belgian professionals and current Intern2China students based in China

In a relaxed and informal setting, participants connected over a Belgian-style reception featuring fries, Liège waffles prepared by Raphaël Vetri, and Belgian beers provided by AB InBev, Duvel Moortgat, and Kasteel Brouwerij Vanhonsebrouck.

The evening created a valuable opportunity for students to engage directly with professionals, exchange experiences, and gain a better understanding of what it means to live and work in an international environment.

Supporting the Next Generation

This initiative reflects the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to supporting young talent by connecting them with experienced professionals and real business environments.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all participating members and partners who contributed to making this program both impactful and memorable for the next generation of professionals.