Development along the New Silk Road: China and the CEE

In 2013, Chinese president Xi Jinping proposed the New Silk Road initiative to promote closer connection between Asia and Europe. Given its geographical location, the Central East Europe (CEE) plays an important role in the Initiative. Since 2013, the economic, political and cultural cooperation between China and the CEE has greatly increased. To fully utilise the potential of the Initiative and to promote cooperation between the two regions University of Economics in Prague and partners have decided to organise the summer school titled “Development along the New Silk Road: China and the CEE”. The summer school aims to promote people to people exchange and to provide knowledge and practical experience from many areas to the participants.

Dates and venue

The summer school takes place at the University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic from 8 to 24 July 2017. For those who are interested and accepted for internship part from 8 to 31 July (one more week). Please refer to the internship information.

Overview

The summer programme is focused on the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative and its potential between China and CEE countries. The programme offers unique opportunity for students to learn more about economic and political relations between the two regions, lessons learned from the economic transformation in the CEE region as well as specific business and investment environment in the region. The programme is aimed at enhancing academic, business and international relations competency of the participants with many stimuli for their personal development.

The summer school is primarily open for master degree students, PhDs and young professionals in business, economy and international trade/relations fields. The courses are taught by leading academic experts in the field from the Czech Republic and other CEE countries together with distinguished guest lecturers (politicians, diplomats, businessmen from both regions) who will all share their knowledge with the students. Participants will also experience inspiring field visits to interesting sites in the Czech Republic. Selected students can obtain an internship in stimulating business organisations in the Czech Republic to enhance their competency development (please refer to the internship information).

Maximum capacity per study group is 25 students.

Course plan

Course	Estimated No. of Lessons (Lesson = 90 Mins)
CEE AND CHINA RELATIONS	8
+ Obor Introduction From Cee Perspective	2
+ Presentation And Business Soft Skills	2
THE CEE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY	8
+ Transformation Of Czech Economy: Lessons Learned	2
+ Doing Business In The Cee	4
+ Czech-Chinese Trade And Investment Projects	4
FIELD TRIPS (SKODA, CZECH-CHINESE INDUSTRIAL ZONE)
EXTRA CURRICULAR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Internship

For those who are interested, we can provide the opportunity to gain additional one week practical working experience in the Czech Republic. Our partners include the largest Czech companies, consulting companies, multinationals and other interesting organisations. If you are interested in the internship part, please indicate this in the application. The fee for internship and other related expenses is EUR 400 added to the price of the summer school. To provide high-quality experience during the internship, the places are limited and the selection rests with the organising committee and the accepting organisations.

Who can apply?

The summer school is primarily for master and doctoral degree students of economics, business and/or international relations field or young professionals at the start of their careers. Lecturing language is English, so at least B2 (IELTS 5.5) proficiency is required.

Price

The price indicated below includes:

Course fee
Study materials
Accommodation in dormitory hotel rooms
Transportation to/from the airport
Transportation for the field trips
Lunches and snacks during the courses
Extra evening and social activities
Diploma

The prices without the internship fee: For those who apply and pay the fee before 30 March, the fee is reduced to EUR 1750. For students of partner universities* of the University of Economics, the fee is reduced to EUR 1650 before 30 March 2017 and EUR 1800 from 30 March 2017 to 30 May 2017. The internship fee when student is accepted is EUR 400.

Date of application	Price	Price for students of partner universities*
Before 31.3. 2017	EUR 1750	EUR 1650
31.3.2017 – 31.5.2017	EUR 1900	EUR 1750

*The list of partner universities is available here: Partner Universities

Application process

The application is submitted by sending the following requested documents to email address cee-china@vse.cz

Application form found Here or at University Website
Motivation latter in English (maximum 2 pages/3600 symbols including spaces)
Your CV in English

The organisers will consequently contact you with all needed information.

The application will be open from 15 January and closed on 31 May 2017. Participants are expected to pay the school fee within two weeks after their admission is confirmed. All necessary visa documents and materials are sent upon receiving the school fee.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in the student hotel of the University of Economics. Every room is for two people and includes own toilet, bathroom and kitchen. There is free wi-fi in the dormitory. The dormitory is in safe area and only couple tram stops (ca. 10 minutes) from the University where the lessons take place.