September 22, 2022. Shanghai – Earlier this month, Professor of Accounting and Director of the CEIBS Case Centre Chen Shimin visited both Harvard Business Publishing – Education in the US and Ivey Publishing in Canada. During his visits, he shared updates with the school’s partners on the development of the Global Platform of China Cases (ChinaCases.Org) as well as the review criteria and accepted cases for the Global Contest for the Best China-Focused Cases.

The visits also produced consensus on stepping up cooperation in a number of ways, including the creation of an “express channel” for the inclusion of selected ChinaCases.Org cases in the Ivey Publishing library and the acceptance of non-CEIBS cases submitted by ChinaCases.Org for review by the Harvard case library for the first time.

Since 2005, CEIBS has contributed 66 in-house cases to Ivey Publishing. The two sides extended their cooperation agreement in 2020 when ChinaCases.Org agreed to include Ivey’s China-themed cases in its library (over 1,150 of which have now gone live on its platform). CEIBS first partnered with Harvard case library in 2019 with plans to submit 30-40 cases every year (65 of which have been published to date).

CEIBS’ cooperation with Ivey and Harvard attests to ChinaCases.Org’s growing recognition in global management education community, and Prof. Chen’s visits will pave the way for more cases developed by Chinese business schools to enter world-class case libraries.

ChinaCases.Org was developed by CEIBS in partnership with other Shanghai-based business schools and the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong with the support of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai Academic Degrees Office, and Shanghai MBA Education Steering Committee. After a decade of development, the library now houses 2,425 cases covering 19 disciplines and 21 industries and has served more than 4,400 teachers from more than 50 universities in China.

ChinaCases.Org also welcomes submissions for the Global Contest for the Best China-Focused Cases. Now in its seventh year, the contest focuses on management issues in a Chinese context while a pool of over 60 expert reviewers from China and around the world ensures high standards on par with those of international contests.

CEIBS and ChinaCases.Org, Harvard and Ivey are members of the International Community of Case Publishers (ICCP), a community of the world’s leading institutions in case development and publishing. As the only ICCP member in mainland China, CEIBS is well-positioned to promote the publication of high-quality cases from Chinese business schools in international libraries. In doing so, the school hopes to bring more China-focused cases into the classrooms of global business schools while contributing Chinese wisdom to the international community.

Writer:  Xiaolin YUAN   Editor: Michael Donald THEDE

In a post-COVID world, providing effective leadership is more complex and demanding than ever. No matter your function, role or industry, the very nature of global business continues to evolve at breakneck speed. Inevitably, today’s leaders are required to do more than keep up; they must anticipate the future needs of their followers and the wider organisation.

If, as the old saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt, then variety breeds adaptability, and an appreciation of new learning experiences. This is why, on CEIBS MBA, we focus intently on providing students with a range of learning environments, opening up novel ways to practise, hone and ultimately refine their leadership capabilities and potential. Check out five-leadership defining locations that our MBA students explore on the MBA journey below.

01

The Gobi Desert

Much like the human body, a person’s true capacity for leadership isn’t fully tested until they are placed in extremely challenging circumstances. The Gobi Module: Leadership in Action module is designed to let students take their personal awareness of their leadership capabilities to the next level. By undergoing adversity and uncertainty, they will learn how to lead their team while surviving in one the harshest and most challenging natural environments on the planet. This will strengthen their sense of crisis leadership and teamwork, while building self-awareness through the testing of their personal limits, physically, mentally and emotionally.

"Being with your peers and being tested in a controlled life-or-death situation is pretty intense – it’s definitely an experience that sticks with you. In the classroom, it’s fairly easy to imagine what you would do in any hypothetical business scenario, but when the pressure is that high, it shows you what kind of leader and what kind of person you really are." Mayuko Kawata, CEIBS MBA 2022

02

CEIBS Executive Lounge

Leadership isn’t always broadcasted forcefully and dramatically during high-stakes scenarios. Today’s leader must be equally adept at delivering the right message, and setting the right example, in quieter moments. Whether engaging with large teams or working one-to-one with an employee, leaders are expected to be relatable and approachable. They must be skilled listeners who are just as keen to absorb what their staff have to say as they are to make their own voice heard.

The CEIBS Executive Lounge along with the many Executive Forums held on campus each year provide students and alumni with unique opportunities to hear directly from some of China’s most inspiring business leaders.

Watch the clip below to see how Apple Greater China’s Managing Director Isabel Ge Mahe made her transition to leadership after meeting Steve Jobs.

  03

The Stage

Leaders stand in the limelight. They are constantly in the eye of their employees, investors, the media and many other sources of scrutiny. While leadership should always come from a place of authenticity, leaders are required to project confidence and may at times need to present themselves in ways that may not come to them naturally. Acting is the art of self-presentation and connecting with an audience, elements that are essential to displaying good leadership.

In the MBA programme, this is explored in the highly experiential module: Leadership and Acting: Unleashing your Leadership Potential through Acting Techniques. By physically taking to the stage, students learn how to express their best and authentic selves by cultivating self-awareness, body language, and voice control, while also learning how acting techniques can make them a more convincing, relatable and empathetic leader.

“The leadership and acting elective was a unique mix of theory and practical application, and an all-round good time. Taking to the stage, with the spotlight on us was definitely an innovative approach to leadership that I would take again in an instant.” Matthew Seresin, CEIBS MBA 2019

04

The Rowing Clubhouse

Nestled on the banks of a small river in Pudong lies a rowing clubhouse long used by CEIBS EMBA, Global EMBA and EE programmes to cultivate leadership capabilities amongst CEIBS students. After all, a rowing competition highly reflects the competitive world of business, whereby even the strongest individuals cannot rely on their strength alone to be successful. So, how can the coxswain best steer, motivate and drive their crew to victory? CEIBS leadership professors explore this very challenge and help MBA students reflect on their performance whilst drying off in the clubhouse after the race.

“Leadership cannot be taught; it can only be learnt from taking actions. That’s the main reason why we take the MBA students onto the water. The cognition is embodied with sensations, which really helps to takeaways on communication, teamwork, self-awareness and resilience to sink in.” Michelle Zheng, CEIBS Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour 

05

And finally... the classroom

As the beating heart of any full-time MBA programme; classrooms, lecture theatres and discussion rooms on campus offer students the chance to step into the shoes of a CEO to debate case study strategies with peers coming from diverse cultures, industries, and functions.

In addition to the compulsory modules in Organisational Behaviour, the classroom is also the starting point for many compulsory activities on the MBA, including the leadership journey, career development programme, Integrated China Strategy Project (ICSP) and mentorship pairing. Students can then choose the further dive into leadership electives in Creativity and Design Thinking, Developing High Performing Teams and Organisations and Human Resource Management, to name a few.

“Let’s be clear, developing leadership is not just for those senior executives already in charge of entire departments. At CEIBS, when we design the MBA curriculum, we want to prepare all of our students to face the many difficult decisions that are on the horizon as we venture into a changing world. Whatever the future brings, we want business leaders who act with purpose, resilience, empathy and respect to be the ones responsible for writing tomorrow’s history.” Sebastian Schuh, CEIBS Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Department Chair of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

 

September 16, 2022. Shanghai – In an increasingly volatile world deluged by uncertainty, resilience is the new growth strategy, former HP Global Futurist and Rouge Waves author Jonathan Brill told an audience during a recent webinar.

The event, part of the CEIBS Professors on the Future Outlook series, featured a fireside chat between Mr. Brill and CEIBS Professor of Management Practice in Strategy Jeffery Sampler exploring how can companies prepare for future unknowns and survive (and thrive) amidst radical upheaval.

Recent years have seen an unprecedented and unending series of “black swans” and “rogue waves” stemming from global pandemics, geopolitical changes, and financial crisis.

These events, which occur more frequently than ever before, have posed challenges for organisations, as business leaders, policy makers and individuals struggle to navigate these waves of change and stand out amongst their competitors.

“As the world gets more connected and moves faster, there’s every reason to believe that we’re going to see more of these rogue waves appearing out of nowhere,” Mr. Brill said.

The secret for success, he continued, lies in how to be resilient no matter what happens next.

“In a world of increasing structural growth constraints, we need to think about how to take advantage of disruption, instead of just how to manage it.”

Mr. Brill further noted three things required for companies to spot rogue waves and build resilience before their competitors do:

First, be familiar with today’s social, economic, technological and political changes and prepare for the range of changes that are likely to happen.

Second, take a look at what consistently impacts your organisation, including financial, operational, external and strategic risk (what Mr. Brill calls the “four FOES”).

Third, devolve more command and control down to lower layers of your organisation so that everyone involved can reorganise when rogue waves hit.

“We don’t know what will cause the next dramatic event, but we know a lot about what the world will look like after. And if we start to prepare ourselves for what the world looks like after and make small decisions today, that increases our options and our potential no matter what happens,” he explained.

That said, Mr. Brill acknowledged that, in the times of radical changes, business leaders need to shift their mindsets from commanding to coaching.

“In times of disruption, the instinct is to command and control and tighten the grip. The reality, though, is that, when everything goes to heck, what you need to do is loosen that grip […]. It’s this balance of getting that control while giving it up at the same time, so that people can innovate faster than you can tell them what to do,” he said.

This requires leaders to develop better executive communication skills, executive judgment skills, and environmental intelligence, and help their people understand why they are “turning the crank.”

“We’ve got to communicate and get those skills deeper in the organisation if we want to get ahead of situations, both in terms of how we give directions and how people give feedback,” he added.

In wrapping up the event, Mr. Brill suggested that MBA students learn more about epistemology and think about unknown situations.

“Our role as managers is to help our people figure out how to know more about the situation, so that they can operate differently, more efficiently, and more innovatively. The next generation of leaders have to think not only like lawyers and scientists, but also like economists and artists,” he said.

He added that young professionals should consider war gaming, a strategy in business and military used to simulate and predict outcomes on the battlefield, in their careers.

“One way to do that is to have a conversation with your parents, or your parents’ friends, and ask them what happened in their life that they didn’t expect,” Mr. Brill said.

“Make small steps today to increase your optionality and potential. If you do that over time, you’ll find that even though you don’t know how things will work out, you start operating with greater ease and [can move] forward to get where you want to go,” he concluded.

Watch the webinar here.

Writer:Effy He  Editor: Michael Thede

Dear CEIBS community, alumni and friends,

In celebration of Teachers’ Day and Mid-Autumn Festival (which have fallen on the same day this year), I would like to wish everyone in the education field joy and happiness.

Just as the bright moonlight illuminates the night sky, teachers shape the minds of students with their noble virtues. As such, there isn’t a better time to talk about education than when families get together to appreciate the full moon. German educator Adolph Diesterweg once noted, “The art of teaching lies not in imparting knowledge, but in motivating, awakening and inspiring students.” Amid a slew of risks in today’s complex international landscape, the education sector is facing increased expectations and challenges, and undergoing vast changes in models, purpose and mission.

On one hand, the world is facing tremendous change. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and food and energy shortages have escalated into global crises; high inflation, debt, monetary tightening, anti-globalization, and disruptions to industry and supply chains have led to a sluggish global economic recovery; trade frictions, geopolitical tensions, and clashes of values have put the world at risk of a relapse into fragmentation and even confrontation, and have led to the profound reshaping of regional security, ideological trends, and global governance.

On the other hand, a new round of industrial revolution and technological advancement has brought about profound changes and unprecedented development opportunities. An array of new concepts and technologies, such as Web3, the metaverse, blockchain and artificial intelligence, are further upending existing business models.

In this context, the education sector is undergoing a significant and profound transformation. First, with the tug-of-war between globalization and anti-globalization comes new requirements for business education. Business schools should cultivate sustainably-minded management talent with an international vision, cross-cultural communication skills and leadership, and a commitment to upholding shared values in a complex and volatile society. Second, the pandemic has fuelled new educational models. The internet, artificial intelligence, and digitalization will reshape future learning as online education continues to gain traction around the world. Last but not least, business schools should cultivate resilient business leaders in the VUCA era. Amid growing uncertainty over global governance, business schools should shift from knowledge-and-skills-based to capability-and-competency-based education.

Business schools are also facing new challenges. On one hand, the paradigm shift from instructor-centred to student-centred learning aims to improve students’ capabilities for problem-solving, cooperation and communication, and independent learning, while focusing on addressing real-life problems, restructuring the learning process, and updating learning scenarios. On the other hand, business education has become a primary engine for the development of national – especially regional – economies. Looking around the world, regional economies and business schools are empowering each other to thrive. The New York City Area, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Tokyo Bay Area, as well as the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Area, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area are all home to a large number of world-renowned schools.

Facing new missions and new requirements in a new landscape and guided by its vision of “becoming the most respected international business school in the world by linking China and the rest of the world in teaching, research, and business practice and by promoting China’s social and economic development through high-impact knowledge creation and dissemination,” CEIBS will push forward reform and innovation in terms of student development, faculty, research, teaching, ESG and alumni engagement.

Student development: Developing a student-centric operation system

CEIBS will make full use of all opportunities inside and outside the classroom to bolster student growth, achievement and success. Students will be empowered to learn proactively, constructively, synergistically, situationally, introspectively and critically. They will be encouraged to construct their own knowledge and value systems in the learning process. The role of faculty will shift from a messenger of knowledge to an instructor, information provider, academic advisor, researcher and team player.

Faculty: Building a team of world-renowned experts

CEIBS will continue to cement its status as China’s leading business school in terms of teaching and research, further expand its faculty team, step up efforts to recruit and cultivate excellent faculty members, and optimize faculty composition. At the same time, we will emphasize teaching, research and practice. Our faculty will create and disseminate knowledge for industry professionals and policymakers from multiple perspectives while fostering signature research areas. This year, a historic high 15 CEIBS faculty members made Elsevier’s list of Highly-Cited Chinese Researchers. Meanwhile, we have welcomed eight new faculty members who will contribute more cutting-edge management expertise and hands-on experience in the fields of automobiles, healthcare, digital platforms, and green finance.

Research: Fostering “2+4+2+X” interdisciplinary research areas

CEIBS will leverage its five campuses and interdisciplinary research to play a leading role in the management education community and develop its “2+4+2+X” interdisciplinary research areas. In August, the CEIBS Social Security and Aging Finance Institute was officially established to conduct in-depth theoretical and public policy research on social security and aging finance, with a view to becoming a world-renowned research platform and high-end think tank. More effort will be put into developing cases to contribute a constant stream of Chinese wisdom to the global body of management expertise. This year, two CEIBS cases won best case awards in the 2021 EFMD Case Writing Competition and six CEIBS cases won awards at the 2021 CEIBS Global Contest for the Best China-Focused Cases.

Teaching: Reinforcing our top-tier position in global management education

To sharpen its unique teaching strengths, CEIBS will deliver international teaching to meet diversified teaching and research needs; leverage the CEIBS Insights Europe Forum series to build a platform for international exchange and cooperation; conduct case studies and strengthen cooperation with Harvard Business Publishing Education, Ivey Publishing, and ECCH, and build the world’s most influential China-themed case library; and deliver Real Situation Learning Method™ (RSLM) teaching, create an ecosystem for integration of industries, academia and research institutions, and establish a number of new RSLM bases.

ESG: Nurturing responsible leaders

CEIBS will continue to develop ESG-oriented curriculums and research output, and integrate ESG philosophy into teaching, research and operations.

Interaction with alumni: Making alumni more successful

CEIBS will continue to build a better learning platform to provide alumni with more lifelong learning opportunities and establish a win-win ecosystem to facilitate multi-dimensional communication and interaction with alumni. This year, 13 CEIBS alumni-led companies made the 2022 Fortune Global 500 list. We will continue to provide unwavering support for the development of alumni and alumni-led companies so that they can make more contributions to economic development in China and the world.

These are just some of the ways CEIBS is embracing change. We are committed to inspiring socially-minded students with a wealth of cutting-edge management expertise and a strong sense of social responsibility so that they can demonstrate the courage and commitment to improve the wellbeing of every individual and organization and advance social progress in China and around the world.

I believe that amid tremendous changes in the international landscape, both institutions and individuals will need to forge ahead with confidence and courage to rise to the challenges facing mankind. On the day of family reunion, let’s share with our families the love and hope that will motivate us to move forward.

Finally, I once again wish you happiness on Teachers’ Day and Mid-Autumn Festival!

                                                                                                               Prof. Wang Hong
                                                                                                               CEIBS President

Editor: Michael Thede

September 8, 2022. Shanghai – Faced with a complex global landscape and growing instability, frontier technology and green transformation have become both economic growth points and battlefronts around the world. At the same time, a healthy global economic recovery which answers the challenges of climate change will require international dialogue and cooperation. As such, it is necessary to strengthen Sino-French economic cooperation in the new geopolitical and post-pandemic era.

In this context, the CEIBS Insights Paris Forum was held today at dual venues in Paris and Shanghai to explore major changes in the Chinese economy in the post-COVID era. Co-organised by CEIBS and CCI Paris Île-de-France, the hybrid event brought together decision makers, entrepreneurs, and scholars from China and France to discuss bilateral cooperation in the areas of advanced technologies, sustainable development and energy transformation.

In a welcome speech, CEIBS President Wang Hong stated that China and France share many common interests and that there exists vast potential for economic cooperation, especially in the green sector. She further emphasized that amidst a sluggish global economic recovery and climate challenges, that both sides should work together to innovate and promote further collaboration.

She also noted that CEIBS is an important platform for economic and cultural exchange between China and Europe. With this in mind, she said, this year’s forum is aimed at enhancing dialogue and cooperation between China, France and Europe as a whole.

Also addressing the event, Vice President of International Affairs at CCI Paris Île-de-France Marie-Christine Oghly pointed out that, faced with recent geopolitical shifts and climate crisis, dialogue between countries has become more important than ever before.

“China has undergone dramatic changes within the span of a few decades, and the Chinese market is now much more mature and demanding than a few years ago with the emergence of a host of local competitive companies, which is why any company that wants to enter the Chinese market must prepare itself carefully,” she said.

In his opening address, Former Prime Minister of France and CEIBS Distinguished Professor Jean-Pierre Raffarin noted that competition and cooperation go hand in hand.

“While global geopolitics and the pandemic continue to disrupt the world, we should strive to go beyond conflict and seek common ground,” he continued.

“Dialogue and economic cooperation are vital in today’s polarized world to have a balanced global governance,” he said, adding that, “The more we cooperate, the more likely conflict will diminish.”

Prof. Raffarin also stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges through gatherings such as the annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

“Chinese and French people have developed a long-standing friendship over the years, and I hope that we can defend our friendship and reach the end of the tunnel together,” he said.

Chinese ambassador to France Lu Shaye then highlighted three key features of the post-pandemic Chinese economy:

“First, a new stage of development: the Chinese economy has shifted from rapid growth to quality-oriented development,” he explained.

“Second, a new concept of development: China will implement innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development in order to maintain stable, healthy and sustainable economic growth,” he added.

“Third, new development momentum: China will create new development momentum with domestic circulation as the mainstay and where domestic and international circulation are mutually reinforcing, and construct a large unified national market, in order to stimulate consumption and increase domestic demand,” he said.

In the post-COVID era in a globalized world, he continued, major economies should work together to overcome difficulties.

“We should embrace economic integration, not isolation; advocate openness and not be closed off; pursue mutual benefit instead of exclusiveness; and seek stability and be against volatility,” Mr. Lu stated.

“French entrepreneurs are important witnesses, actors and beneficiaries of Sino-French cooperation. In the post-COVID era, you need to project yourselves in the long term and take deeper root in the Chinese market with a view to greater development,” he said.

“At the same time, we also count on you to echo of the positive aspects of our cooperation, in order to create a good atmosphere for China-France cooperation,” he concluded.

The forum also featured an engaging roundtable discussion led by CEIBS Vice President and Dean Ding Yuan, including Health and Happiness (H&H) International CEO and Executive Director Laetitia Albertini; Contemporary Amperex Technology Founder and Vice Chairman Li Ping; Stellantis China COO Grégoire Olivier; and Valeo Group Communications Senior VP François Marion.

The panelists shared views on China’s electric vehicle market and how foreign enterprises can develop and thrive in the Chinese market. They also discussed collaboration between French and Chinese companies on carbon neutrality, and agreed that both countries should step up cooperation in high-tech and green technologies and find sustainable solutions to meet current challenges and opportunities.

In his closing remarks, Consulate General of France in Shanghai Pierre Moussy stressed three issues at the heart of Sino-French bilateral relations: France’s contribution to the Chinese economy, the Chinese macroeconomic landscape and green transformation.

“It is important to remember in these times of rising uncertainty that French companies are trusted partners in the Chinese economy, and they intend to remain so,” he said, adding that, “The competitive advantages of French companies are well suited to serve China’s needs, especially in areas of the environment and new energy, which can open up new opportunities for cooperation for both countries.”

Moreover, while the external demand driving economic growth has faded due to a changing international landscape, restoring normal flows with the rest of the world is important to the healthy development of foreign companies, he said.

“There are many examples of cooperation between China and France, such as offshore wind, batteries, energy, and green finance,” he explained. “We should support and further cooperate to ensure fair market access and a balanced technological partnership.”

Deputy Managing Director of International Affairs at CCI Paris Ile-de-France Pierre Mongrué served as the host of the forum.

Since its launch in 2012, the annual CEIBS Insights Europe Forum Series has hosted 30 overseas forums in 10 countries and regions around the world, featuring more than 200 keynote speakers and attracting more than 8,000 participants from government, industry and academia. With a focus on the most pressing issues of the day, the forums serve to maintain open dialogue between China and the world and to promote cooperation in tackling challenges affecting us all.

Writer: Effy He    Editor: Michael Thede

September 7, 2022. Brussels/Shanghai – In the face of climate change, achieving net zero carbon emissions and a green economic recovery have become key post-pandemic issues. Going green has become a new growth area and point of competition, but can also serve as an opportunity for international cooperation in building a better world for all.

This was one of the key messages delivered today at the CEIBS Insights Europe Forum, which explored the theme of China-Europe Cooperation on Decarbonization. The event, co-hosted by CEIBS and the EU-China Business Association, took place at dual venues in Brussels and Shanghai.

During her welcome speech, CEIBS President Wang Hong stated that achieving carbon neutrality requires broad and profound social and economic changes and the efforts of many parties. Moreover, she said, China and the EU have both shared interests and responsibilities in realizing a net zero future.

EU-China Business Association Chairman Jochum Haakma then shared that, despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, it is important for China and the EU to continue to work closely to achieve carbon reduction goals.

“The EU and China have a long-standing cooperation on climate change and have agreed to further steps to join efforts. More than ever, both sides need each other,” he said.

Interim Charge D’affaires of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the EU Wang Hongjian then offered an opening speech in which he emphasized the importance of China-EU green cooperation.

“One of the biggest lessons we can take from nearly 50 years of China-EU relations is that although we may have different systems, this does not prevent us from finding common ground. Moreover, cooperation in carbon markets and sustainable finance also proves that China and the EU are partners and not rivals, and that cooperation is far greater than competition,” he said.

That said, Mr. Wang noted that China and the EU are at different stages of development and cannot be expected to be completely in step on the road to carbon reduction and green development, and that disagreements are inevitable. Nevertheless, he emphasized that both sides should meet one another half way to create an environment of mutual trust and fairness to promote green economic cooperation.

Next, former World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General and CEIBS Distinguished Professor Pascal Lamy said that although China and the EU are starting from very different situations in terms of emissions levels and energy needs, they also share many major commonalities.

“In spite, and maybe because of, these differences, more cooperation between the EU and China would probably bring benefits. I see them in roughly six areas: emission trading systems, trade, tech, finance, the ocean and forests,” he said.

He continued on that both parties should ensure that geopolitics and short-termism do not slow the transition to zero carbon. In particular, he added that China and the EU should resist the temptation to postpone major efforts due to the current global energy crisis.

Ultimately, Prof. Lamy said, “Decarbonization has become, and will remain for the times to come, the overarching main endeavour of humanity given the catastrophic impact of climate change. [...] The EU and China have to succeed, for themselves and also for the rest of the world.”

Newly appointed CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin then offered some brief words on the forum and the importance of its timing.

“This is an urgent topic that the world needs to address to ensure the future of the planet. It is not only important for us, but for our children and their children,” he said.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus Beyrer; Umicore Senior Vice President Battery Recycling Solutions, EU-China Business Association Vice President and Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce Chairman Kurt Vandeputte; Huayu Automotive Systems President Zhang Haitao; and CEIBS Assistant Professor of Finance Wang Renxuan were then joined by former Ambassador of Belgium to China and Mongolia Patrick Nijs for a panel discussion in which they highlighted the need for greater China-EU cooperation on climate, the importance of decarbonization as a form of corporate social responsibility and the role of cross-border finance in driving China’s dual carbon goals.

CEIBS Vice President and Dean Ding Yuan then thanked everyone who participated in the forum and underlined the role of CEIBS in promoting international dialogue.

“[CEIBS] is constructed by the EU and the Shanghai government as a bridge – one of the very few bridges these days – between China and Europe. We are extremely committed to interaction, exchange and globalization,” he said.

EU-China Business Association Executive Director Gwenn Sonck also emphasized the huge potential for cooperation around carbon neutrality.

“The EU and China both share a commitment to green development and better global governance on climate change,” she said, concluding that, “It is clear that both sides need each other.”

Finally, in wrapping up the event, Prof. Wang Hong said, “We know that this is an uphill battle for everyone; however, we see huge potential for future collaboration and we must have a long-term horizon and be able to work together at the government level as well as the business level to achieve the dual carbon goals.”

The forum was moderated by Aspen Institute Central Europe Founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board Ivan Hodac.

Since 2012, CEIBS has hosted 30 overseas forums in 10 countries and regions around the world, featuring more than 200 keynote speakers and attracting more than 8,000 participants from government, industry and academia. With a focus on the most pressing issues of the day, these events serve to maintain open dialogue between China and the world and to promote cooperation in tackling challenges affecting us all.

Writer: Michael Thede

September 6, 2022. Zurich, Switzerland – For the first time in three years, the CEIBS European Alumni Reunion took place offline at our Zurich campus this past weekend. The event was an opportunity for the school’s alumni to socialize, network and sharpen their skills together with their fellow peers and was hosted by CEIBS Vice President and Dean Ding Yuan.

“The impact of a business school is decided by a symbiosis of its alumni and its faculty [...] and CEIBS alumni are actively engaged in all areas of society and make continuous contributions to the development of China and the world,” CEIBS Zurich Campus CEO Dr. Robert Straw said during his opening speech.

The reunion welcomed alumni from all over the globe and was also a chance for those in the CEIBS community to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

“Seeing our alumni gathering at the Zurich campus and witnessing the social power of the CEIBS alumni community as well as their knowledge exchange has been very energizing and inspiring,” said CEIBS’ new Alumni & Partnership Manager for Europe Georgina Childs.

For alumni who had attended previous reunions, many of the items on the agenda were both familiar and fresh, including social gatherings and learning sessions with CEIBS Professors Katherine Xin, Jeff Sampler and Gianfranco Siciliano. Alumni and representatives from organizations such as Bordier & Cie Banquiers Privés, Daimler AG, Ringier, Dow, Societe Generale, Swiss Re and Women in Sustainable Finance (WISF) also contributed to the various sessions.

The reunion also featured a range of workshops on topics such as the future of work, Web3, women on boards, sustainability, mastering innovation and leading high-performance teams. The first night of the event then wrapped up with a visit to the renowned Zunfthaus in the heart of Zurich and an enjoyable dinner party.

The second day of the reunion included a focus on health and well-being. An early morning lakeside walk and yoga session helped refresh mind and spirit and created the ideal start to the day for a special breakfast talk.

“I’m impressed by the strength of the CEIBS alumni community across the world. I’ve moved to multiple countries and continents now and I’ve always been able to tap into the alumni network there for new opportunities or even to get perspectives and learnings from alumni in my own and other industries,” CEIBS MBA 2016 alum Rohan K. said, reflecting on the time at the reunion.

The two-day event wrapped up with alumni collecting a special reunion gift bag. Many then set off for Brussels and Paris to participate in the CEIBS Insights Europe Forum events this week.

Visit our events page for details about other upcoming CEIBS events and keep an eye out for our 2023 alumni reunion as well!

Finally, if you would like to learn more about our alumni community or our MBA and Global EMBA programmes.

Editor:

Michael Thede

September 6, 2022. Shanghai – A special handover ceremony was held at CEIBS Shanghai Campus today to officially welcome Professor Dominique Turpin as the new CEIBS President (European). Prof. Turpin succeeds Prof. Dipak Jain, who steps down at the end of his term.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University President, Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician and CEIBS Chairman Lin Zhongqin; EFMD Honorary Chairman and CEIBS Vice Chairman Gerard Van Schaik; EFMD and EFMD Global Network President Eric Cornuel; CEIBS Presidents Emeriti Zhu Xiaoming and Li Mingjun; CEIBS Vice President and Dean Ding Yuan; CEIBS Vice President and Co-Dean Zhang Weijiong; CEIBS Management Committee representative Ma Lei; and more than 400 faculty and staff attended the hybrid event, which was chaired by CEIBS President Wang Hong.

In his opening speech, Prof. Lin Zhongqin noted that Prof. Turpin has served on the CEIBS Academic Committee since the school’s establishment and is an outstanding scholar and business administrator with broad international influence. Prof. Lin also acknowledge Prof. Jain’s broad vision and innovative spirit in leading the school to a number of major achievements, including recent historic highs in the Financial Times’ global rankings. In addition, he said he hoped Prof. Jain will continue to assist in the school’s development by promoting knowledge creation in the fields of social security and pension finance.

Prof. Lin emphasized the wisdom and dedication of previous CEIBS Presidents (European) and their willingness to work closely alongside their Chinese counterparts in building a bridge for China-EU cooperation. Globalization, he stated, is experiencing a cold snap and the world is now facing huge uncertainties. As such, he continued, unity, tolerance and cooperation are needed to help the school overcome challenges and realize a brighter tomorrow. Moreover, he said that the school’s leaders will continue to strengthen CEIBS’ characteristics.

Prof. Lin added that he hopes Prof. Turpin will continue to promote the school’s European and international characteristics and actively practice CEIBS’ unique ‘co-culture’. Together with President Wang Hong, he said, he hopes Prof. Turpin will help build a governance model worthy of a top international business school and bring new ideas, a new vision and fresh energy to CEIBS.

Next, Dr. Van Schaik delivered a speech in which he noted Prof. Turpin’s extensive experience, admirable personality, decisiveness and ability to listen. Prof. Turpin’s many insights into the field of management education will be a great asset to CEIBS’ development, he added. Dr. Van Schaik also thanked Prof. Jain for his contributions to the school and for his efforts in helping to enhance CEIBS’ international reputation.

Prof. Cornuel then acknowledged the challenging period the school has experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that, faced with a complex geopolitical environment, it is particularly important for everyone to work together to live in peace. To this end, he continued, CEIBS has played an important role in linking China and Europe. He also said he hoped the pandemic situation will resolve quickly and that he looked forward to the time when he will be able to visit his friends in China again in person. Finally, Prof. Cornuel expressed his thanks to Prof. Jain and extended his best wishes to Prof. Turpin.

Next, Prof. Jain offered an emotional thanks to everyone for giving him the opportunity to serve at CEIBS. During his five-year tenure, he said, he worked to enhance the school’s global reputation, strengthen its alumni interaction and enhance the school’s operations across its various campuses. He added that he believes CEIBS will operate smoothly under Prof. Turpin’s guidance and that he hopes its Zurich campus will host more programmes and activities and contribute to building a world-class school.

While rooted in China, Prof. Jain continued, CEIBS is also a business school built for the world, and its uniqueness rests in both its China depth and global breadth. In referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out that planes always take off into (rather than with) the wind, and that difficult times will bring inspiration and unite the CEIBS community to strengthen the school’s position in the world. Although his relationship with CEIBS has changed, he said, his commitment to the school will remain the same as he continues to carry out teaching and research work as part of the CEIBS Institute of Social Security and Pension Finance. Finally, he emphasized that no challenge is insurmountable and that he looked forward to working together to create a better future for the school.

Prof. Turpin then expressed his gratitude for opportunity to serve as CEIBS President (European) and noted his deep relationship with the school. He further thanked Prof. Jain for his guidance, while acknowledging the many things they have in common as fellow Professors of Marketing. Over the past 28 years, he said, CEIBS has shown unremitting effort in realizing its achievements and he looked forward to working with President Wang Hong to maintain the school’s position amongst the best in the world and build a bridge for exchange between China, Europe, Africa and the world.

On behalf of the school’s faculty, alumni, students and staff, Prof. Wang Hong then extended a warm welcome to Prof. Turpin and expressed her thanks to Prof. Jain. She noted Prof. Jain’s kindness, wisdom and tolerance, as well as his mastery of not only marketing, but also strategic thinking and global vision. He has continuously emphasized the goal of “building CEIBS into one of the most respected business schools in the world” with both international influence and social responsibility. In addition, Prof. Jain has helped shape the school’s current five-year strategic plan and championed the concept of empowering and serving the school’s alumni over their entire lifetime, she said.

Prof. Wang Hong also noted the importance Prof. Jain has attached to the school’s ‘co-culture,’ case development and teaching, real-world learning and promotion of business education. Although he has stepped down from his role at President (European), she added, he will continue to play a significant role in the school as both President Emeritus and Chairman of the CEIBS Institute of Social Security and Pension Finance.

Prof. Wang Hong then noted Prof. Turpin’s accomplishments and experience as a scholar and business school leader. She added that his multicultural experience fits well with CEIBS’ internationalization and that his presence will help deepen the school’s European and international characteristics and expand its relationship with other global business schools. CEIBS plays an important role in serving as a bridge for China-EU exchange, she said, adding that she looks forward to working with Prof. Turpin and all CEIBS colleagues to write a new chapter in the school’s development.