Joined by their bosses from China, the 24 students gathered for photos in Hug Commons after receiving their certificates.
One of the longest and most complex onsite training courses ever developed by DEL Executive Education wrapped up just before Christmas when 24 Chinese water engineers were awarded certificates in front of their bosses, who made the long journey to campus expressly for the occasion.
The 10-week course, “International Business Development and Engineering Project Management,” was presented in collaboration with RTI International and Triad Engineering Applications Inc. It was designed for international environmental professionals to integrate sustainable practices into business solutions.
“Our goal was to help students acquire the business skills necessary to succeed in new markets while exploring the juncture of business and the environment,” says Sherri Nevius, assistant dean for executive and distance learning programs. “Allison Besch, director of executive education programs, called upon the best resources of Duke University and the business community to present a comprehensive course that, we hope, gave students a balanced perspective on projects that are environmentally sensitive.”
The majority of classes were presented in the Levine Science Research Center by faculty and staff from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, Fuqua School of Business and Sanford School of Public Policy, as well as other leading academic, government, private and nonprofit organizations. Instruction and assignments were designed to correlate directly to students’ current and pending work projects, including developing complex proposals and communications plans, collaborating and taking the lead, and sharpening presentation skills.
“We focused on delivering information that could be applied to their career needs in real time,” Nevius says. “The strength of their final presentations was evidence that the lessons integrated effectively.”
The students, some of whom hold doctoral degrees, work for the engineering firm responsible for China’s Three Gorges dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station in terms of installed capacity. The company is eager to expand into more international markets.
Wanmin You presents her marketing project for peers.
“I think this training broadened our view and gives us more chances to do the overseas jobs,” says Wanmin You, who hopes to be assigned to work on a dam project in Peru. “In my opinion, if we have some measures to control the quality, and have some things to reduce the environmental footprint, I think building a dam is a good way to create clean energy.”
She adds that that course, which included leadership training and development of detailed marketing proposals, made her feel more confident about how to present concepts to her supervisors. “When I return to China and meet my boss, maybe I will say, ‘Give this project to me,’” she says with a laugh. “I think I will do better than others because of this class.”
Xiang Li says the environmental focus of the course made him look at projects in a new light.
“In the past, in China, I always focused on how to fix technical problems,” he says. “This program makes you think about treating problems in an environmentally friendly way. I feel like maybe there are ways to make more people accept our projects by taking into consideration their concerns.”
Hui Yang, who coordinated study sessions for participants, says he was impressed by the high-level collaborations and targeted instruction among presenters from different disciplines.
“Collaboration is essential if you want to gain new business partners,” he says. “The company culture is most important. When I go back, I will tell them about the impressive culture here of team work: the details, the cooperation and the innovation.
Anqiang Li, center, enjoys a a break at the Carolina coast following a hot hike across Schackleford Banks near the Duke University Marine Lab at Beaufort, N.C.
“I think we should keep this in mind when we are developing overseas markets,” he adds. “It’s important to think like a citizen when you are in a foreign country. The relationships are very important and to see things as the local people do is the most important thing.”
Anqiang Li, leader of the student group, says a “higher sense of protecting the environment” is now a foundation of his business thinking.
“We will do much better taking that message back to China,” he says. “We can contribute the behavior and respect for the environment. The exposure to different professors showed the importance of integrating this message. By being more aware, we can set a good example for our business.”
– Jill Warren Lucas, DEL Staff