Recently our Flagship Joint Multi-Degree (JMD) Programme continued its Global Competence Course (GCC) Guest Lecture Series with an inspiring session titled “The Long Game — Careers, Culture and the Real Work”, delivered by seasoned international business strategist Ken Grant on April 7 at the Qizhong, 7th Teaching Building.
The GCC series is a flagship initiative designed to equip ECUST’s international students with authentic, onsite professional experiences that transform them into industryready global talents. By bridging the gap between classroom learning and realworld practice, the course provides students with direct exposure to seasoned professionals who have navigated complex global markets.
A Career Across Continents
Ken Grant brings over 35 years of experience in international business development and marketing. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing with a master’s degree in strategic marketing, he first came to China for business in 1989. Since then, he has worked across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia.
His career began in electronic engineering within the telecoms sector, where he collaborated with principals and distribution channels worldwide, particularly in North America, Europe, and Japan. Over the past 15 years, he has operated a consultancy in China, advising luxury and premium retail brands as well as professional sports organisations in football and cycling.
From the Classroom to the Global Stage
During the lecture, Grant shared candid insights about the longterm nature of career building, cultural adaptation, and the unglamorous yet essential work that leads to professional success. Students engaged in lively discussions about how to navigate crosscultural challenges and turn academic knowledge into tangible career assets.
“The GCC series is more than a lecture—it is a platform where our students learn directly from global practitioners,” said JMD Programme Director from the College of International Education. “By bringing in leaders like Ken Grant, we are helping our international students build the mindset, network, and practical skills they need to compete and thrive in the global workforce.”
About the Global Competence Course (GCC)
Launched to support ECUST’s growing international student community, the GCC integrates thematic lectures, corporate site visits, and handson projects with industry partners. It reflects ECUST’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically excellent but also culturally agile and careerready.
