A new wave of South African student entrepreneurs has returned with fresh insights and global perspectives, thanks to the University of Johannesburg’s pioneering *Innovation Start-Up Exchange Programme (ISUEP), also known as China by Train. The initiative, held from 22 March to 4 April 2025, provided a transformative, on-the-ground exploration of China’s innovation and start-up ecosystems.
More than just a study tour, China by Train signals a strategic shift in how South African universities are cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets—by connecting students directly to international hubs of innovation and technology. Inspired by UJ’s earlier Africa by Bus project, this pilot programme focuses on mobility, collaboration, and real-world learning beyond the classroom.
Travelling through Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, participating students immersed themselves in academic sessions at leading universities, visited cutting-edge tech facilities, and engaged with both public and private sector leaders shaping the future of business.
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In Beijing, students attended lectures at the prestigious Yenching Academy of Peking University, where discussions centred on language, politics, and economic change in modern China. At Shanghai Jiao Tong University, students explored cross-border entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, gaining firsthand exposure to China’s dynamic start-up culture.
The journey culminated with a lecture in Nanjing delivered by UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, further reinforcing academic ties between the two countries.
One of the standout moments for Nevimbo Chicheko, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, was touring the Technology Transfer Office at the UM-SJTU Joint Institute. “It was inspiring to see how engineering research can be commercialised through real collaboration between academia and industry,” he said.
The exchange programme also offered eye-opening site visits, including a tour of the BAIC automotive plant in Beijing. There, students observed the complete production process of the Stellato 9 electric vehicle, even taking the car for a test drive. For student Mpeakhe Moloi, the experience was a glimpse into the future: “Coming from a modest background, seeing how these vehicles are built—and driving one—was a dream come true. It reminded me that innovation is within our reach.”
In Shanghai, the group visited Zhangjiang Innovation Park, where they learned about pharmaceutical research and industrial tech partnerships. In Nanjing, engagements with the JSTI Group opened doors to discussions on research collaboration and postgraduate opportunities in infrastructure innovation.
Perhaps most significantly, students gained access to NeoBay, a high-impact start-up incubator in Shanghai, where they enrolled in an online International Business Acceleration Programme. The opportunity provided practical tools for refining start-up ideas, pitching to investors, and building global networks.
“The programme equipped me with skills that go beyond textbooks,” said Moloi. “It taught me how to approach business meetings, how to network, and how to find support for start-up growth.”
According to Mr Lebethe Malefo, Director of UJ’s Study Abroad office, ISUEP is about much more than entrepreneurship. “It’s about breaking stereotypes, building cultural understanding, and preparing students to become global citizens,” he said.
With China by Train, UJ continues to position itself at the forefront of innovation-driven education—giving students not only the knowledge, but the international exposure and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
