On 22 October, 30 Master’s students from the Project Management programme at International Business School Suzhou (IBSS), part of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, visited Chery Jaguar Land Rover’s intelligent manufacturing base in Changshu, Jiangsu province.
This visit was co-ordinated and facilitated by the IBSS Student Development and Support (SDS) team. Zhiqin Ni, Programme Director, led the group, with Yixin Zhang and Yidan Liu from the SDS team also in attendance.
Hanghang Li, Talent Acquisition Lead at Chery Jaguar Land Rover and an external mentor of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, warmly welcomed the group. The visit began with a tour of the product showroom, where Hanghang introduced the company’s development and operations in Changshu.
The group then toured the final assembly workshop at the Changshu plant. Staff guides walked the students through the manufacturing process, from body stamping and welding to painting and final assembly. They also demonstrated how the intelligent assembly workshop uses automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to transport materials, giving students a first-hand insight into smart manufacturing in practice.
After the tour, the students and staff joined company representatives for an exchange and sharing session. In response to students’ questions about recruitment and internships, Hanghang introduced Chery Jaguar Land Rover’s Management Trainee Programme in China, as well as its onboarding and mentoring programmes for new employees. She also answered students’ questions about job applications and career development.
Hanghang Li
Xiaolei Tong, Senior Manager of a Land Rover model launch project, then shared the key milestones and deliverables in launching a new vehicle. Drawing on the dimensions of people, machines, materials, methods and environment, he illustrated the complexity of the process and the need to balance multiple project objectives. Xiaolei also engaged in several rounds of lively Q&A discussion with the students.
Xiaolei Tong
At the end of the visit, Zhiqin presented Xiaolei and Hanghang with souvenirs from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University on behalf of the School, and expressed sincere thanks to Chery Jaguar Land Rover for hosting the group and sharing its expertise.
This visit not only gave students direct exposure to smart manufacturing, whilst deepening their understanding of how project management principles are applied in a real business setting. From the classroom to the workshop, the experience helped connect theory with practice and gave students useful insights for their future studies and careers.
IBSS will continue to expand links with industry and create further opportunities for IBSS (Project Management) students to learn from companies and apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Edited by Thomas Durham
