2024 Corporate Innovation Days: Bridging academia, industry and government together

Connecting theory and practice

In his opening remarks, Executive Director Morten Laugesen emphasized the importance of bridging academia and industry, with students playing a central role in this connection.

'In academia, we equip the next generation of innovators with a solid theoretical foundation to understand industry advancements. By actively engaging with industry, inviting them to share their challenges and strategies, we gain invaluable insights and fresh perspectives. True understanding goes beyond research; it requires bridging academia with the business world,' Morten Laugesen said.

Student perspective: A global lens on business

Second-year Innovation Management student Rasmus Lund Hansen shared his experience of participating in the event for the second year running.

'I attended last year and found it very insightful, especially in understanding what is happening in China. Last year had more of a Chinese business focus, whereas this year there were more Danish companies. I plan to stay in China after graduation, so it was a great opportunity to see what Danish businesses think of the market here. Back home, you often hear negative perspectives, so it was refreshing to hear from Danish companies actively working here,' he said.

Another of the event’s highlights was a keynote by Carrie Yang, Marketing and Innovation Director at Arla Foods China. She presented a very practice-oriented case on introducing Cocio chocolate milk to the Chinese market, which sparked engagement among participants.

‘Sharing may be one-way, but the learning is mutual. The discussions brought valuable perspectives to the brand. Students, with their solid backgrounds, analyzed the case thoroughly, applied the company’s perspective, and asked excellent questions. I truly appreciated the open and constructive atmosphere,' she said.

Engagement around these cases exemplified how Corporate Innovation Days can offer businesses a platform to gain feedback while challenging students to apply academic principles in real-world scenarios.

Expanding Partners’ Network behind CID

CID 2024 marked a significant milestone with the Danish-Chinese Business Forum (DCBF) joining as a co-organizer for the first time. This partnership brought a profound new dimension to the event and helped with intruding SDC to more industrial partners. Hans Henrik Pontoppidan, Secretary General of DCBF, delivered a compelling keynote address, emphasizing the critical juncture at which Danish companies find themselves in the Chinese market. He highlighted China’s dual role as both a key trading partner and an increasingly formidable competitor in global innovation rankings.

The presentation outlined strategies for staying competitive, including fostering local partnerships, adapting business models to suit China’s unique market dynamics, and ensuring robust intellectual property protection. He also noted the growing complexity of operating in China, urging companies to adopt agile and resilient strategies to navigate challenges such as regulatory shifts and increased competition from local firms. The keynote added to actionable insights of CID, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with strategic awareness.

Professional Fusion Zone and Networking Opportunities

As well as last year, a standout feature of the event was the Professional Fusion Zone session, a unique interactive space designed for networking and opportunities exploration. The session provided students, researchers, and industry leaders with opportunities to engage in direct dialogue. It was a platform for exploring internship openings, project collaborations, and long-term partnerships.

The Professional Fusion Zone encouraged students to interact with professionals, gaining firsthand insights into the practical applications of their studies and the challenges faced by businesses in a competitive, fast-changing world. For companies, the Zone offered a chance to connect with the next generation of talent, showcase their innovations, and identify potential collaborators for projects aligned with the event’s themes of strategic future-oriented innovation.