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SKEMA students turn sustainability into action on Nanjing’s Purple Mountain
More than 70 international students from SKEMA Business School took learning beyond the classroom by participating in the “Move for Good” initiative on Purple Mountain, in eastern Nanjing.
Despite steady spring rain, the students combined environmental action with cross-cultural exploration on one of the city’s most emblematic natural sites, which rises nearly 450 metres above Nanjing.
Supported by faculty members from the Nanjing campus and volunteers, the programme focused on three activities: mountain clean-up, local interviews and biodiversity observation. The initiative reflects SKEMA’s commitment to experiential learning, encouraging students to engage with sustainability challenges while developing global awareness.
Sustainability meets cultural insight
After a safety briefing and task allocation, students travelled to Baima Park at the foot of the mountain, where they received eco-friendly equipment before beginning their activities. Divided into three groups, they approached the experience from complementary perspectives.
The clean-up team climbed the mountain trails, collecting litter ranging from plastic packaging to cigarette butts and contributing to the preservation of the site’s natural environment. Their efforts culminated at the Purple Mountain Observatory, where they shared reflections on sustainability and responsibility.
Meanwhile, students assigned to biodiversity observation and cultural interviews conducted fieldwork at the Nanjing Zhongshan Botanical Garden. Through direct interaction with visitors, they explored local views on environmental protection, urban green spaces and ecological awareness in China.
A cross-cultural perspective on sustainability
Throughout the day, the initiative highlighted the importance of understanding sustainability through different cultural lenses. Students explored how perceptions of nature vary across regions and cultural contexts, and how environmental responsibility can take different forms depending on local practices and relationships with natural spaces.
They also observed that the cleanliness of Purple Mountain reflects sustained local stewardship, and that their contribution, while modest, formed part of a broader collective effort. The experience helped them strengthen their communication skills through dialogue with local communities.
A model for experiential learning
At the end of the day, participants regrouped to sort the collected waste and conclude the activity. The value of the initiative lay not only in its environmental impact, but also in the insights gained, assumptions challenged and perspectives developed.
The “Move for Good” programme illustrates SKEMA’s approach to connecting academic learning with real-world engagement. By using environmental service as a platform for cultural exchange, the school helps students develop the skills, awareness and sense of responsibility needed to navigate an interconnected world.
