"From mining to Hunan Haili Chemical to Hongxing Cold Chain, we have been exploring customized project services every step of the way—creating precise case studies and high-efficiency models for China's executive education."
Li Ping, Director of the Executive Education (EE) Center at the School of Business, Hunan University, reflected with deep emotion on the School's innovative path in executive education, as Hongxing Cold Chain (Hunan) Co., Ltd. ("Hongxing Cold Chain") recently listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
Achievements earned at great cost lay the groundwork for confidence
Over eight years, the School has pioneered a "hands-on accompaniment" empowerment model: leveraging academic research to precisely identify strategic leverage points, and delivering integrated training to foster value co-creation—guiding Hongxing Cold Chain through a perfect transformation from "financial foundation-building" to "strategic breakthrough," and forging an intelligent engine that powers its journey from local roots to global markets.
Precision Empowerment —
"Research-Led + Education-Enhanced" Anchors Strategic Breakthrough
In early March 2024, amid lingering spring chill at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, a senior executive seminar for Hongxing Industrial Group kicked off—custom-designed to clear the "last mile" problem toward Hongxing Cold Chain's IPO.
Fifty-three participants engaged in a nine-month program, completing 13 days of intensive face-to-face training across eight modules—including strategic management and digital economy innovation—to anchor strategic transformation and deepen strategic capability.
The School innovatively introduced a problem-based research mechanism: before the program launch, expert faculty conducted on-site fieldwork at the company, applying rigorous scientific methodology to diagnose real-world challenges and formulate evidence-based solutions. During the training session, the participants worked in teams to tackle the challenges issue by issue, and carried their solutions all the way down to every key staff member of the company —ensuring every employee grasped the solutions clearly and could implement them effectively across all levels, multiplying implementation effectiveness.
Professors conducting on-site research at the enterprise
"Our executive education must address real problems and deliver real solutions—practically nurturing entrepreneurial spirit and accelerating the development of new quality productive forces," said Zhang Yuejun, Party Secretary of the School, who closely monitored the program's progress.
Proceed from the present; proceed from reality.
Engage in the task, solve it in practice, verify it by results.
This embodies the essence of Hunan's pragmatic scholarly tradition—and reflects the School's founding mission of business education for real-world application.This embodies the essence of Hunan's scholarly tradition of "applying learning to practice"—and reflects the School's founding mission of business education for real-world application.
Under guidance from distinguished faculty, participants engaged deeply with actual corporate challenges to produced six strategic research outcomes—including Research on Optimizing the Talent Cultivation System, Optimizing Corporate Culture to Lead Hongxing's Future Development, and Research on Hongxing's New Ecological Strategy for Digital Intelligence-Driven High-Quality Development—all adopted by the Group for decision-making.Under guidance from distinguished faculty, participants engaged deeply with actual corporate challenges to produced six strategic research outcomes—including Research on Optimizing the Talent Cultivation System, Optimizing Corporate Culture to Lead Hongxing's Future Development, and Research on Hongxing's New Ecological Strategy for Digital-Intelligence-Driven High-Quality Development—all adopted by the Group for decision-making.
Beaming with excitement, Luo Yue, Party Secretary and Chairman of Hongxing Industrial Group, listed five emphatic "extremely…" comments one after another: "Extremely professional, extremely precise, extremely comprehensive, extremely systematic, and extremely objective!"Beaming with excitement, Luo Yue, Party Secretary and Chairman of Hongxing Industrial Group, listed five emphatic "extremely…" comments one after another: "Extremely professional, extremely precise, extremely comprehensive, extremely systematic, and extremely objective!"
Yet this collaboration began much earlier.
Rewind to the beginning of 2018—Luo Yue had already started mapping out the Hongxing Cold Chain’s IPO.Rewind to the beginning of 2018—Luo Yue had already started mapping out Hongxing Cold Chain's IPO.
Founded in the rural outskirts of southern Changsha, the warehousing-focused cold-chain logistics firm had spent over a decade cultivating its market—and grown into a regional leader. Yet entering international capital markets posed formidable hurdles.
Mountains may pile ten thousand high—yet man stands at the peak
"Tackle tasks" is now a stance of crushing every obstacle and overcoming every trial.
To tackle tasks at an unprecedented height is by no means just extending past trajectories—it requires identifying systemic weaknesses, clarifying bottlenecks, and holistically rethinking institutional innovation and management upgrading.
Luo Yue—also Legal Representative and Chairman of Hongxing Cold Chain—is an alumnus of Hunan University's 2005 EMBA program. He turned first to the New Business Education at his alma mater, deciding that the Group's entire senior leadership and elite talent pool would enroll in executive programs.Luo Yue—also Legal Representative and Chairman of Hongxing Cold Chain—is an alumnus of Hunan University's 2005 EMBA program. He turned first to the new business education at his alma mater, deciding that the Group's entire senior leadership and elite talent pool would enroll in executive programs.
He secured strong support from several Group executives who were also Hunan University MBA alumni—and received an immediate, enthusiastic response from the School.
At that time, the Executive Development Program (EDP) center—as it was then called—quickly organized a research team of experienced experts and professors across the School, who went deep into Hongxing for on-site investigation, diagnosing precisely the company's needs.At that time, the Executive Development Program (EDP) center—as it was then called—quickly organized a research team of experienced experts and professors across the School, who went deep into Hongxing for on-site investigation, diagnosing the company's needs precisely.
Shared understanding spurred swift action.
Chatting in finance training session break
"Alumnus Luo Yue has long followed the School's development and is intimately familiar with our pedagogical system," said Yang Zhi, Dean of the School. "We must deliver content that surprises and inspires him—integrating knowledge with rapidly evolving realities, and directly tackling pain points and thorny challenges."
Breaking through via financial management and prioritizing top the system building
A Senior Finance Personnel Advanced Training Program launched on schedule, with all 60+ finance staff participating.
The School assigned experienced lecturers to deliver highly practical, targeted instruction. In the eight-day intensive course, all the participants spoke highly of the program, commenting that the lecturers were "highly knowledgeable in their fields and witty in their teaching," and that the curriculum "bridged theory and practice, proving invaluable to their daily work."
With foundations solidified, university-enterprise cooperation deepened further.
In 2020, an IPO Practical Training Program focused squarely on operational realities—enabling over 80 executives to achieve breakthroughs in legal compliance, financial risk mitigation, corporate governance, and director/supervisor responsibilities.
Scenes from the classroom session
The School adopted a "learning + examination" closed-loop model, using assessments to reinforce learning and ensure theoretical knowledge translated into actionable competencies.
"This training was exceptionally practical—we grew rapidly through case analysis and live simulations," said one participant. "It laid a robust professional foundation for our IPO preparations."
As time has shown, the School’s tailored executive training programs—carried out in an orderly manner and closely tied to the needs of industry and the capital market—significantly shortened the IPO timetable of Hongxing Cold Chain.As time has shown, the School’'s tailored executive training programs—carried out in an orderly manner and closely tied to the needs of industry and the capital market—significantly shortened the IPO timetable of Hongxing Cold Chain.
Ecosystem-Based Collaboration —
"Micro-Consulting + Macro-Training" Enables Value Co-Creation
"We do not merely 'transport' generic training—we solve enterprise-specific problems," declared Dean Yang Zhi at a curriculum design workshop.
From financial compliance to strategic clarity, from talent development to cultural cohesion—the School applied problem-driven service to transform Hongxing's "IPO preparation" into "capability upgrading":
- Replacing large-scale lectures with embedded micro-consulting—bringing faculty directly into frontline operations;
- Pairing academic mentors with enterprise mentors for one-on-one, iterative guidance—continuously refining training design;
- Substituting certificates with implementable outcomes—ensuring theory delivers measurable performance gains;
- Prioritizing long-term companionship over one-off engagements—supporting the enterprise's evolution from growth to listing and toward a century-long vision.
Group discussion during executive training
"Every year, some of the college's outstanding alumni-founded enterprises go public—but guiding a local cold-chain logistics firm onto an international exchange through customized education is truly challenging!" said Jiang Yanhui, Deputy Dean in charge of EE programs."Every year, some of the School's outstanding alumni-founded enterprises go public—but guiding a local cold-chain logistics firm onto an international exchange through customized education is truly challenging!" said Jiang Yanhui, vice Dean for Executive Education.
Riding the Waves: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
The School commands a world-class faculty spanning management, economics, statistics, information science, and mathematics. Over 60% of its faculty have studied, conducted research, or held visiting positions in Europe and North America. It hosts the Key Laboratory of High-Performance Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Finance, funded by Ministry of Education; the Virtual Teaching and Research Group for Marketing accredited by Ministry of Education; and the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Teams (First Round) awarded by Ministry of Education. Globally, it maintains a high-caliber enterprise mentor network spanning major industries.The School commands a world-class faculty spanning management, economics, statistics, information science, and mathematics. Over 60% of its faculty have studied, conducted research, or held visiting positions in Europe and North America. It hosts the Key Laboratory of High-Performance Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Finance, funded by the Ministry of Education; the Virtual Teaching and Research Group for Marketing accredited by the Ministry of Education; and the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Teams (First Round) awarded by the Ministry of Education. Globally, it maintains a high-caliber enterprise mentor network spanning major industries.
A Faculty Bridging East and West: Building China's New Dream-Making Case Studies
Training programs are rigorously customized—covering strategy, operations, HR, finance, marketing, and more—to build systematic managerial knowledge frameworks and comprehensively elevate leadership capacity.
Breaking beyond traditional training limits, the School pioneered the "micro-consulting + macro-training" model—evolving from unidirectional knowledge transfer to bidirectional value co-creation, from micro-level interventions to holistic capability building. This approach forged sustainable competitiveness—and ultimately validated the long-term benefits of deep university-enterprise integration.
Silent in the Offensive, Steadfast in Building the Bridge
Scenes from the field research
From the "Finance Training Class" to the "IPO Preparation Class" and onward to the "Executive Leadership Class," class advisor Lu Yanlan observed: "From single-domain finance training, to targeted IPO readiness, to project-based executive development. In this eight year long "Hands-on Accompaniment", I've witnessed the evolution of Hongxing training philosophy, the earnest, knowledge-thirsty spirit of its management, and the solid footsteps of an agri-industrial leading enterprise growing from deep local roots toward its IPO journeyFrom the "Finance Training Class" to the "IPO Preparation Class" and onward to the "Executive Leadership Class," class advisor Lu Yanlan observed: "From single-domain finance training, to targeted IPO readiness, to project-based executive development. In this eight-year-long 'Hands-on Accompaniment', I have witnessed the evolution of Hongxing training philosophy, the earnest, knowledge-thirsty spirit of its management, and the solid footsteps of an agri-industrial leading enterprise growing from deep local roots toward its IPO journey
The class operates under a student-led self-governance model, supported by strict discipline protocols and a scientific evaluation system to ensure learning effectiveness. Through lectures, case studies, and other interactive methods, each cohort strives for continuous self-improvement—fueling the Group's strategic transformation.
"No leave of absence without the Chairman's approval!" said Xu Huazhong, General Manager of Hongxing Cold Chain and an executive trainee. "Colleagues cherish this opportunity greatly—no one walks out during class; everyone listens attentively."
Mid-term presentation session
Not only were all the executives furthering their studies, but even Luo Yue, whose schedule is notoriously packed, attended nearly every session and actively engaged faculty during breaks. Not only did all the executives pursue further study, but even Luo Yue — whose schedule is notoriously packed — attended nearly every session and actively engaged faculty during breaks.
End-to-end support that integrates learning with practice. Nothing is more inspiring than the example set by those around us. Every executive learned earnestly; many subsidiary heads consistently earned top marks on assignments.End-to-end support integrates learning with practice. Nothing is more inspiring than the example set by those around us. Every executive learned earnestly; many subsidiary heads consistently earned top marks on assignments.
According to the comprehensive evaluation, the training achieved significant overall results, with 28 participants earning individual scores above 100 (out of 120).
“Everyone learns with critical thinking, links their study to real practice, and measures it against their responsibilities, so that a culture of shouldering heavy tasks and taking initiative becomes the norm.” said Luo Yue. "None of this would have been possible without the EE Center's dedicated efforts!""Everyone learns with critical thinking, links their study to real practice, and measures it against their responsibilities, so that a culture of shouldering heavy tasks and taking initiative becomes the norm," said Luo Yue. "None of this would have been possible without the EE Center's dedicated efforts!"
During a lecture
Before each course, the Center distributes research reports to lecturers in advance—enabling precise, context-sensitive lesson planning and ensuring training quality to establish this cohort as a benchmark class for Hunan University's Executive Education Center.
A detailed project timeline was established, requiring submission of discussion records and other documentation. All groups held multiple meetings, strictly adhering to deadlines. Close coordination with the Group's HR department ensured meticulous planning and precise execution of all training details.
Through brainstorming and data analysis, faculty and participants jointly transformed theory into executable pathways.
At mid-term presentations, three experts provided feedback; final presentations required review by four experts. Senior leaders from both the School and the Group supervised both milestones—ensuring outputs balanced innovation with practicality.
Learning in progress
The purpose of learning is to break through more precisely, and to turn business-management wisdom into a growth weapon that can be put into practice more efficiently.
The resonance of implementation lies in successfully resolving each challenge—with clear value orientation, direct academic-to-operational translation, and fundamental breakthroughs in talent development and intelligent-digital transformation—ensuring research outcomes seamlessly serve strategic goals.The resonance of implementation lies in successfully resolving each challenge—with clear value orientation, direct academic-to-operational translation, and fundamental breakthroughs in talent development and digital-intelligence transformation—ensuring research outcomes seamlessly serve strategic goals.
When the stock code of Hongxing Cold Chain flashed across the big screen of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, it marked not only a proud moment for a Hunan-based enterprise—but a classic case of innovative university-enterprise collaboration.
This is no longer conventional knowledge delivery—it is value co-creation: "Come with questions; leave with solutions."
It represents a leap—from training-as-empowerment to ecosystem-wide win-win—and the construction of a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem.
The School remains a "quiet companion"—using academic rigor to help enterprises chart direction, and hands-on support to turn vision into expansive, enduring journeys.
Unity of Knowledge and Practice; Advancing with Integrity.
Rooted in serving national strategic priorities and regional socioeconomic development, the School has long pursued deep university-enterprise partnerships with leading local enterprises—advancing industry-education integration, strengthening talent cultivation, and empowering high-quality development of Hunan's real economy. In doing so, it contributes the School ethos and capabilities to realizing the province's "Three Highlands and Four New Missions" Strategy.Rooted in serving national strategic priorities and regional socioeconomic development, the School has long pursued deep university-enterprise partnerships with leading local enterprises—advancing industry-education integration, strengthening talent cultivation, and empowering high-quality development of Hunan's real economy. In doing so, it contributes the School's ethos and capabilities to realizing the province's "Three Highlands and Four New Missions" Strategy.
