Building Bridges Across Asia: CECD Faculty Director Strengthens Global Entrepreneurship Partnerships

This summer, CECD Faculty Director Dr. Mazhar Islam traveled throughout China and Vietnam to strengthen international partnerships, share entrepreneurship research, and learn from some of Asia's leading universities and innovative companies. Joined for part of the journey by Dean of the College of Business and Gerald N. Gaston Eminent Chair in Entrepreneurship, Dr. Bobby Savoie, the trip opened new opportunities for collaboration while bringing valuable global perspectives back to Loyola.

Advancing Entrepreneurship Research

A major focus of the trip centered on Dr. Islam's ongoing research examining the evolution of Chinese entrepreneurial firms and how companies build globally competitive businesses.

At VinUniversity in Hanoi, Vietnam, Dr. Islam presented his research alongside collaborators Emil Jakobs and Dr. Bobby Savoie. Their work explored how different phases of China's economic reforms shaped entrepreneurial growth through case studies of several leading Chinese companies.

The discussions also explored how privately held Chinese manufacturers move beyond their origins as low-cost suppliers—progressing from Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), to Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), and ultimately to building and selling their own brands through Original Brand Manufacturing (OBM). This transition reveals how firms develop stronger design, innovation, marketing, and international management capabilities as they expand into global markets. The experiences offer practical lessons not only for Chinese entrepreneurs, but also for firms in other rapidly growing emerging economies seeking to convert manufacturing strength and foreign investment exposure into sustainable global competitiveness.

The research forms part of a forthcoming book, When Dragons Cross Oceans: How Chinese Entrepreneurs Go Global, which Dr. Islam is co-authoring with Dr. Savoie and Emil Jakobs.

Learning from Global Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Dr. Islam and Dr. Savoie visited several institutions recognized for their leadership in entrepreneurship education and innovation.

At the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Entrepreneurship Center, they met with Director Cyrus Choi to learn about HKUST's approach to building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Discussions focused on founder networks, university-industry partnerships, satellite incubation centers throughout the Greater Bay Area, and innovative funding models that support student, faculty, and alumni ventures.

The visit sparked new ideas that may help strengthen entrepreneurship programming and ecosystem development at Loyola.

Exploring Future Academic Partnerships

Dr. Islam and Dr. Savoie visited two major universities in the Greater Guangzhou area to explore opportunities for future collaboration.

At Guangzhou Xinhua University, discussions focused on potential student exchanges, faculty exchanges, and other academic partnerships that could create meaningful international experiences for Loyola students and faculty while strengthening ties between the two institutions. The visit highlighted the university's strong emphasis on applied education and career-oriented learning, reinforcing shared values around preparing students for an increasingly global economy.

Dr. Islam and Dr. Savoie also visited Guangdong University of Finance and Economics (GDUFE), where they met with university representatives to discuss similar opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, collaborative academic programs, and broader institutional partnerships. As a major university specializing in business, economics, finance, and related disciplines, GDUFE offers promising opportunities for future cooperation with Loyola.

Learning from Entrepreneurial Success Stories

The trip also provided opportunities to meet directly with founders and executives of several innovative companies whose entrepreneurial journeys  are the subject of ongoing research on Chinese entrepreneurial firms being conducted at CECD.

At Guangdong Guanghua Sci-Tech (GHTech), Chairman Ren Zheng shared how the Shenzhen-listed enterprise evolved from a family-owned specialty-chemical producer into a diversified technology company operating in electronic chemicals, battery materials, EV-battery recycling, and healthcare materials. The company also works with the City of Guangzhou's public transportation system on electric-bus monitoring and battery maintenance, contributing to environmental sustainability.

At Tinno Group, co-founder Tony Lin shared the story of the company's growth as a family business and its evolution into one of the world's leading original design manufacturers (ODMs) of 4G and 5G smartphones and wireless devices. With more than 1,500 scientists and over 600 patents, Tinno has developed substantial capabilities in engineering, product development, manufacturing, and international operations while serving brands and markets around the world.

At Tencent, one of the world's largest technology companies, Dr. Islam and Dr. Savoie observed the scale and ambition of China's digital economy. With businesses spanning social media, gaming, fintech, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, Tencent has become a global technology powerhouse and a major symbol of China's innovation ecosystem.

Dr. Islam and Dr. Savoie also visited Four E's Scientific, where founder Danny Chen shared the company's journey from a global manufacturer of laboratory equipment to an emerging competitor in the rapidly growing exoskeleton robotics industry. The company's evolution demonstrates how specialized, innovation-driven firms can compete successfully in global niche markets while diversifying into emerging technologies.

At Guangzhou Yinqin Group, co-founders Yu Guandi and Yu Kangtu shared how the company evolved from a nonferrous scrap-metal importer into a leading granite-mine operator and financier of small and medium-sized enterprises. Yinqin's transformation illustrates how Chinese entrepreneurs identify new opportunities, diversify beyond their original businesses, and develop capabilities across trade, natural resources, and investment.

 

Their final corporate visit was to Pony AI, a Nasdaq-listed autonomous-driving company helping shape the future of artificial intelligence and smart mobility. The company's work reflects China's growing capabilities in advanced technologies with global commercial potential.They also experienced Pony AI’s driverless robotaxi service in Guangzhou.

Dr. Savoie also shared his own entrepreneurial journey with a group of young entrepreneurs developing ventures across industries including high-rise fire-rescue robotics, watches, children’s education, AI-powered enterprise systems, bakery manufacturing, exports, and real estate. The conversation offered an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss the challenges and ambitions that come with building and growing a business.

These conversations build on similar fieldwork conducted the previous summer, when Dr. Islam and Emil Jakobs interviewed founders and executives at seven firms in China’s Fujian Province. Together, these firsthand perspectives are contributing to Dr. Islam’s ongoing research, the forthcoming book, and future classroom discussions at Loyola.

This ongoing research is supported in part by the Gerald N. Gaston Chair and the Stanford H. Rosenthal Professorship funds held by Dr. Savoie and Dr. Islam, respectively.

Bringing Global Perspectives Back to Loyola

International engagement has long been an important part of the College of Business’s mission to prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world.

By building relationships with universities, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders across Asia, Dr. Islam and Dr. Savoie are expanding opportunities for future collaboration while bringing new ideas and global perspectives on entrepreneurship and innovation back to Loyola.

As the Center continues to grow its local and international reach, these connections help bring the people, ideas, and practices shaping entrepreneurship around the world into Loyola’s classrooms, programs, and entrepreneurial community.