Recently, the final of the 15th Cesim Elite National Business Simulation Competition came to an end at Xidian University. The "Chosen Lighter" team from the School of Business Administration of Xi'an Eurasia University (Team members: Fu Qinchao, Zhang Bowen, and Dong Yipeng majoring in business administration and Chen Wei majoring in auditing) won the second prize in the undergraduate group and Wang Yanwu, the instructor of the team, won the "Excellent Instructor" award.

Evolved from the world-famous Nordic business simulation competition Peak Time, Cesim Elite is a global competition organized by the Nordic Simulation Teaching Alliance Center. Since its introduction to China in 2008, the competition has been successfully held for 15 sessions, attracting tens of thousands of students from nearly 300 universities across China.

(Fig. 1) Trophies

This year's Cesim Elite final is the largest one ever, featuring fierce competition and multiple rounds of selection from over 170 universities across China. After intense competition lasting nearly half a year, a total of 31 undergraduate teams and 62 graduate teams successfully advanced to the final. In the semi-final, the team from the School of Business Administration of Xi'an Eurasia University beat many teams from other universities such as Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Normal University, and Northwest A&F University and secured a spot in the national final as the top team of the group. It then competed with many teams from China's famous universities in the final, such as the Renmin University of China, the China University of Political Science and Law, Nankai University, Shenzhen University, and Xiamen University.

In the three-day final, participating teams were required to complete two competition units: "Simulated Operation of a Listed Company" and "Business Case Presentation and Speech". In the "Simulated Operation of a Listed Company" competition unit, the team from the School of Business Administration of Xi'an Eurasia University realized high share price and high return growth in the simulated operation of a listed company by virtue of solid business strategies, proficient data computing, and effective control over market opportunities and risks, which impressed the jury on site. In the "Business Case Presentation and Speech" competition unit, the team delivered a presentation on "integrated solutions for smart agriculture", discussing how technologies such as the IoT, UAVs, and artificial intelligence could contribute to agricultural modernization and the cost reduction and efficiency improvement of enterprises. The presentation was widely praised by the jury. Eventually, the team won the second prize in the national final.

Applied Teaching and International Classes

Wang Yanwu, the instructor of the team, summarized the award-winning factors as the "teamwork spirit", "professional knowledge", "solid skills", and "competitive spirit". All these factors can be attributed to the international and applied teaching methods of the School of Business Administration of Xi'an Eurasia University.

"Facing the rapidly changing modern business society and the era of digital intelligence, the School of Business Administration not only teaches students solid professional knowledge but also breaks down barriers to continuously integrate advanced information technology, digital technology, and management technology into talent training. Through school-enterprise cooperation, it constantly introduces real cases into the classroom, allowing students to develop their practical and applied skills. These concepts and methods not only laid a good foundation for us to win, but also serve as an effective "stepping stone" for students in their pursuit of future employment development." said Wang Yanwu.

(Fig. 2) Wang Yanwu Leading the Students in Practical Training for Business Simulation

In 2020, Xi’an Eurasia University adopted Finland's Cesim practical teaching platform, jointly built the "Eurasia-Cesim Business Simulation Joint Laboratory" with Cesim China, and developed the Business Thinking and Case Practice course. The course uses the Cesim international enterprise strategic and comprehensive management simulation platform and the Seentao digital and intelligent enterprise management sandbox software, showing significant effectiveness in developing students' international strategic thinking, financial management abilities, operational skills, and marketing abilities. It broadens students' horizons and enhances their capabilities. Numerous students have greatly benefited from the course.

Education Efficiency Improved by Competition-Education Integration

Following the university's "international" and "applied" teaching philosophy, Wang Yanwu also attaches great importance to "competition-education integration".

"Many of my curriculum teaching designs are aimed at winning national awards. The teaching is carried out on the same practical training platform used for competition preparation. I will lead students to practice while learning in class. Students will form different teams to compete and confront each other and put their professional knowledge into practice through competitions. The excellent teams will be directly listed as participants in national competitions, which can enhance students' enthusiasm for learning and ambition for higher awards.

I have found that, with this teaching method, students have shown a continuous increase in their enthusiasm for learning and their certificates have gradually increased. They have become confident, cheerful, self-assured, and capable. The positive feedback from employers has also increased continuously. This is a multi-win situation! "

Fu Qinchao is one of the students participating in this year's final. She had no shyness when facing the teams from first-class universities. Her confidence was based on her familiarity with the analysis tools, intelligent software, enterprise strategy formulation, and business case planning involved in the competition. "We have had a lot of practical training in class. Therefore, we did not face much difficulty in the competition. We had a clear division of labor and a shared goal of overcoming difficulties to win the prize."

Over the years, based on the competition-education integration philosophy that integrates competition with both learning and teaching, Wang Yanwu has continuously led students to participate in various business simulation competitions, encouraging them to communicate with and learn from the students of China's first-class universities and constantly broaden their horizons and enrich their abilities. "There are mountains outside mountains and there is no end to learning, which is what I hope my students understand most." said Wang Yanwu.

(Fig. 3) Over the Past Three Years, Wang Yanwu Has Led Over 80 Students to Win Various High-level Business Competition Awards, Greatly Helping the Students Grow.

Words from participating students:

"I have gained a lot from such a high-level competition. First of all, it enhanced my strategic decision-making skills. During the competition, we needed constant brainstorming, timely feedback, control, and decision-making. In addition, facing outstanding students from renowned domestic universities such as those under Projects 985 and 211 not only made me recognize my shortcomings but also improved my courage and expression skills, making me more aware of the way forward."

——Fu Qinchao, student of Business Administration Class 2001

"Xi'an Eurasia University's School of Business Administration provides a fertile academic environment where I can enhance my logical thinking skills and business acumen, and acquire valuable experiences for my future personal growth."

——Zhang Bowen, student of Business Administration Class 2102

"All the contestants were very good. I enjoyed the competitive atmosphere and look forward to participating in more such competitions in the future, which will be greatly beneficial in broadening my horizons and enhancing my comprehensive academic abilities."

—Chen Wei, student of Auditing Class 2203

"The integration of competition and education can better stimulate my interest in learning, meet the requirements of the development of the times, put what I have learned into practice, and improve my personal abilities."

——Dong Yipeng, student of Business Administration Class 2202

This award serves as a microcosm of the many disciplinary competitions held at Xi’an Eurasia University's School of Business Administration. As one of the highest-level private universities for finance and economics in Chinese mainland, Xi'an Eurasia University will continue to strengthen its business education, refine its international and application-oriented business teaching, continuously promote the integration of competition and education, and cultivate more high-quality, versatile talents for the industry and society.