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LER Students learn about HR in China first-hand through May study tour

LER Students learn about HR in China first-hand through May study tour

June 15, 2015

This May, LER students had the unique opportunity to gain valuable, first-hand insight into human resource management practices in one of the world’s most significant economies, China, with a first-of-its-kind course, LER 497: Managing Human Resources in China.

A group of Penn State students studied at the Nanjing Business School, part of Nanjing University, during the two-week course. The course also included guest lectures and local business site visits arranged utilizing contacts made by LER alumni and faculty.  The visits, in both Nanjing and Shanghai, helped students gain insight into Chinese business systems and transition challenges, the changing legislative and institutional arrangements, disparities and inequalities in local labor markets, and HR in private family owned businesses, as well as state-owned enterprises.

Student recruitment for this initial offering began in January, with preference given to members of the School's Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) Program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Other Master’s students were also invited.

Associate Professor Sumita Raghuram served as the lead Penn State faculty member, with the Nanjing Business School hosting faculty consisting of Dean Lui Hong, Professor Zhengtang Zheng, and Professor Chunyan Jiang.

Upon completion of the course, and return to the United States in late May, students presented detailed reports, including an analysis of some of the key issues addressed during the trip and a reflection on what they have learned.

Future May trips for LER students are tentatively planned for Sweden in 2016 and Ireland in 2017.

LER Students learn about HR in China first-hand through May study tour