SUPSI's Department of Innovative Technologies, as part of the Master of Science in Engineering, organized the MSE Summer School - Asia Module with a rich program of activities held between Ticino and the Far East.

After a first week spent at the East Campus in Lugano-Viganello and at Ticino and Swiss companies, the group of 26 students from both SUPSI and other Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences went for two weeks to discover companies and institutions in China and Taiwan.

"Visiting different companies, ranging from manufacturing and assembly SMEs such as Howag Swisspur to companies engaged in cutting-edge applications such as Robosense, which develops autonomous driving systems, allowed us to understand the specificities of the industrial sectors and supply chains located in the Greater Bay Area (Honk Kong - Macau - Guangdong Province) and to compare them with the systems and methods employed in our latitudes," explains Prof. Luca Canetta, Asia Module Leader.

Through meetings with experts and institutional figures, such as the Swiss Consul General in Guangzhou, and visits to local universities and startup incubators, the students gained a deep understanding of the sociopolitical and economic ecosystem that fosters the rapid development of these regions. They also explored strategies for innovation management and technology transfer, as well as understanding the current challenges and opportunities related to global supply chain management (quality management, logistics, production management, procurement).

"This module is very interesting, allowing you to understand how the economy, production activities, and everyday life work in various cities in China. One can understand the complications and advantages inherent in relations with China, appreciate their flexibility, speed and capacity for growth, and identify the challenges related to multiculturalism in order to establish fruitful collaborations," comments Maximilian B.

After the first week spent in China, the group went on to explore Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, a world leader in certain industries such as semiconductor manufacturing.

Here the delegation carried out various activities in the company of some students from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST). The program was complemented by workshops, lectures, visits to research centers and companies, including Acer, a world leader in the design and manufacture of computers and peripherals, and the local headquarters of the Swiss company Tornos.

"The MSE Asia module provides an important opportunity to learn about a new culture and visit local companies to understand how they manage various production processes and their level of quality. It is a great advantage to be able to visit different companies without having to worry about applying for permits, as all activities are organized and managed by SUPSI," commented Cyril P.

"It is crucial for the female engineers of tomorrow to understand how cultural differences affect supply chain management, quality and innovation," commented Canetta. "The contact with classmates and fellows from other UAS, but above all the immersion in a dynamic environment and the opportunity to know firsthand a cultural and industrial reality so distant from that of Switzerland and Europe represent the added value of this experience."