Feature contributed by Leanne Gaul, Peter Adjei-Bamfo and Helen Taylor | School of Business
The School of Business at the Port Macquarie campus successfully hosted a dynamic summer program for visiting students and staff from Tianjin University of Commerce (TUC). Insights shared by the Charles Sturt University (CSU) teaching team highlight the program’s exceptional impact in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, enriching cultural exchange, and creating an immersive, interactive learning environment that empowered participants and deepened their academic and cultural understanding. In essence, interdisciplinary collaboration not only enriches the academic experience but also prepares students to thrive in a world where the ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines is increasingly vital.
Program highlights
Core Strengths in Teaching and Engagement
- Integrated Learning: The shared case study (A2 Milk) unified diverse disciplines, making complex topics more accessible for culturally diverse students.
- Engagement Tools: Utilized innovative methods such as Mentimeter for interactive feedback, psychometric testing for risk assessment, and multimedia resources (videos and quizzes) to enhance student understanding and participation.
- Student Engagement: Overcame initial shyness through interactive activities, fostering greater involvement and improved communication skills.
- Pre-Program Engagement: Established a WeChat group to connect early with students, organize logistics, and create excitement through visuals of the campus and local attractions.
Innovative Teaching Strategies
- Teaching Strategy: Collaborated with the teaching team to develop a cohesive, regionally focused, and sustainability-driven teaching plan using an Australian agribusiness case study.
- Refined Content: Adapted course material to ensure clarity and accessibility for students with diverse backgrounds.
- Case Study Focus: Leveraged the A2 Milk case study to explore entrepreneurial traits, risk metrics, and sustainability concepts, providing a relatable and cohesive foundation for discussions.
- Global & Local Perspectives: Encouraged students to draw connections between global entrepreneurial trends and examples from their home countries.
Opportunities for Growth
- Future Improvements: Identified the need to incorporate additional familiar company examples to further resonate with culturally diverse students.
Explore the insights from our CSU teaching team
