On March 14, the Opening Ceremony for the 7th Cohort of ACEM Industry Community Program was held at Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). This cohort focuses on four key areas: "AI+", Digital Intelligence Retail, the Silver Economy, and Active Health. This initiative represents a further exploration and practice by ACEM to serve the key priorities of national economic and social development and to innovate the mechanism of industry-academia-research collaboration. Notably, the Silver Economy Community is being offered for the first time, while the Active Health Community will be launched in both Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Attendees included Chen Fangruo, Dean of ACEM, Industry Research Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute of SJTU; Jiang Wenning, Party Secretary of ACEM; Li Hourui, Deputy Party Secretary; Zhu Xi, Associate Dean; Tian Xinmin, Special Advisor to the Dean, Vice Dean of the Industry Research Institute, and Executive Dean of the Shenzhen Research Institute; Feng Yun and Luo Jun, Associate Deans of the Industry Research Institute; Jiang Wei, Chief Scientist and Assistant to the Dean of the Shenzhen Industry Institute; Wu Jiarui, Executive Dean of Institute for Proactive Healthcare; along with ACEM Professors Shi Zhanzhong, Rong Ying, Luo Shougui, Lu Lin, and Associate Professor Chen Xiaorong.

In his address, Chen Fangruo stated that Antai College has actively promoted the deep integration of industry research and talent development by launching the Industry Community Program, aiming to build an industry-academia community ecosystem and foster a learning atmosphere of “integrating knowledge and practice”. He extended a warm welcome to all participants and hoped that they would maintain an attitude of “openness and connection” — embracing new knowledge and ideas with an open vision, and discovering new opportunities and prospects through community connections.

Feng Yun provided an overview of the program. The program was first launched in 2020. For its 7th edition, a total of 305 participants have been recruited with diverse backgrounds. These include alumni from ACEM's undergraduate, master's, doctoral, MBA, EMBA, Master of Technology Transfer (MTT), Executive Education (EE) programs, and International PhD programs, as well as alumni from other SJTU schools and industry elites from outside the university. The proportion of female participants has been increasing year by year, with participants averaging over 10 years of industry and management experience.

The ceremony was hosted by Gao Jingxin, Director of the Executive Education Center of ACEM.

On behalf of the lead professors, Professor Rong Ying delivered a speech. He encouraged students to bravely share lessons from failures and understand the root causes from others’ experiences. He emphasized the importance of methodological learning; in the digital intelligence era, enterprises need methodologies to improve operational efficiency. Finally, he pointed out that as the AI wave brings unlimited opportunities and challenges, we must first understand the “true nature” of AI before knowing how to respond.

Jiao Xiaoxiao, Co-founder of Future Cloud and founder of Shanghai Shangyu Technology Co., Ltd., spoke on behalf of the "AI+" Community. She pointed out that AI is redefining industries, but the future will be shaped by those who understand the technology and can deeply integrate it with specific sectors. She expressed her hope that the Industry Community to serve as a hub for cognitive upgrading, cross-industry dialogue, and a starting point for building long-term relationships.

Fan Tiejiong, General Manager of Shanghai Sailun Biotechnology Co., Ltd., spoke on behalf of the Digital Intelligence Retail Community, highlighting its dynamic and transformative impact on the current business landscape. He advocated for a respect and curiosity for new technologies while remaining true to fundamental business principles—always centering on "user needs" to offer market services where technology serves humanity.

Song Meiling, Founding Shareholder of SNC Group and Founder of Shandong Huaxia Hengze Life Science Group, spoke on behalf of the Silver Economy Community. She stressed the importance of the silver economy as a vital engine for economic and social growth amid an aging population. She pointed out the sector's relevance not only as an industry but as a matter of livelihood and societal progress, requiring both expertise and a strong commitment to responsibility.

Shao Shuai, Partner of Shanghai Siyuan Zhengxin Cultural Technology Co., Ltd., represented the proative healthcare Community. He proposed that "active" implies proactive intervention and action, while "health" encompasses the systemic well-being of individuals, organizations, and the social ecology. Active health demands both cognitive foresight and decisive action, making it the ideal practical scenario for "the unity of knowledge and action." 

The inaugural Antai Industry Community Program launched on November 30, 2019, marked the formal integration of industry research principles into Antai's curriculum. This program has consistently prioritized multiple key industries by promoting synchronized dialogues between the industries and alumni. It offers a pathway for redefining the supply-demand model between the College and its alumni, enhancing industry expertise, fostering industry insights, and exploring industry trends—thereby establishing a platform for resource-sharing and fostering a multi-win business ecosystem involving the College, enterprises, and alumni.