Growing Together with NAO

Eleven students were invited to join the two-day NAO Growing Together program on 8^th - 9^th September 2015 on Innovation Campus Asia Pacific (Shanghai). The event aimed to strengthen the long–term relationships with our leading institutes from China (e.g. Fudan & Tsinghua University), Japan (Kyoto University) and from Korea (Hanyang University).

During NAO Growing Together @BASF, students developed their personal competencies by attending training sessions and sharing project updates about their latest progress on their scientific research.

The first day was mainly devoted to improving the student’s presentation skills. Among other things, BASF trainer Jeffrey taught them how to attract the audience’s attention and how to use body language, such as eye contact, effectively. For many students, this session was very beneficial – e.g. one student told us that all the things he learned in the training part could be directly applied to optimizing his presentation in front of BASF managers.

On the second day the students impressed us with well-structured and energetic presentations using the knowledge they gained in the training part. Senior Vice President Dr. Karl-Rudolf Kurtz, Senior Manager Dr. Sebastien Garnier along with many other lab leaders of BASF asked many thought–provoking questions and exchanged their opinions with students about their current research. In the end, Huanhuan Gao from Fudan University was selected as the best presenter and awarded with a delicate trophy.

Following two days’ event, BASF colleagues and students had dinner together on the Bund area of Shanghai. Surrounded by the beautiful sunset view of Shanghai, all of us had nice talks, exchanged creative ideas and enjoyed the delicious food.