October 26, 2020. Shanghai – CEIBS has soared to #2 in the Financial Times’ 2020 ranking of the world’s top 100 EMBA programmes. This is the third consecutive year CEIBS’ Global EMBA has appeared in the top five and is the highest ever ranking for a stand-alone EMBA programme in Asia. In January, the school’s full-time MBA programme was also ranked #5 globally and #1 in Asia for the second consecutive year. The ranking further cements CEIBS’ position as one of the top business schools in the world.

Due to its strong methodology and broad participation, the FT’s annual ranking is amongst the most widely recognised in business management education. The ranking takes into consideration numerous indicators related to business schools’ academics and diversity, while also tracking students’ career progress, as well as schools’ research and corporate social responsibility efforts.

“As China’s economy continues to show resilience in bouncing back from a challenging year, CEIBS has excelled in its role as a bridge for economic and cultural exchange between China and the world, while acting as a platform for business leaders to flourish,” says CEIBS President Wang Hong. “The FT ranking once again demonstrates CEIBS’ impressive growth over its 26 year history to reach its current place amongst the best schools in the world. Looking ahead, we will continue to fulfil our motto of ‘Conscientiousness, Innovation and Excellence’, while promoting globalisation.”

Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19 this year, CEIBS has demonstrated a combination of innovation and perseverance in managing the impact of the pandemic on its operations. After welcoming Global EMBA students back for offline learning in September, the school launched a twin city model for its full-time MBA programme – with sections opening in both Shanghai and Zurich – in order to accommodate those unable to travel to China due to temporary virus-related travel restrictions.

“As we move on from the challenges we have experienced in 2020, business management education has never been more important,” says CEIBS President (European) Dipak Jain. “We have successfully adapted to ensure our students could continue learning throughout this time and the Global EMBA programme is a great example of this. At the same time, our students and alumni have continued to play an integral role in making CEIBS an important platform for success.”

CEIBS’ position in this year’s ranking also speaks to the overall strength of the school and both its Chinese and international faculty. With nearly 20 research centres and a case centre partnered with some of the world’s top case libraries, the school has remained committed to the creation and dissemination of business and economic knowledge.

“The hard work and innovative thinking of our faculty have made them some of the most sought-after thought leaders and most-cited researchers in China today,” says CEIBS Vice President and Dean Ding Yuan. “We have also recently launched a new initiative aimed at promoting cross-disciplinary research bridging traditional academic disciplines with areas such as corporate social responsibility and sustainability, China and the world, management in the digital age and service excellence.”

Unlike other top business schools, many of which have partnered up to offer joint-EMBA programmes, CEIBS has unwaveringly pursued an independent approach, establishing five campuses in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, as well as Zurich (Switzerland) and Accra (Ghana), to offer a truly international course experience. The school has also consistently attracted a diverse group of international students seeking to advance their careers in China and Chinese business executives seeking to expand their horizons into overseas markets.

“Our Global EMBA programme provides a truly global experience for participants by leveraging our campuses on three continents. The programme caters both to global participants looking for a window on China as well as Chinese executives shifting into global roles,” says Global EMBA Director Nikos Tsikriktsis. “With participants from more than 20 countries and across the full spectrum of industries and functions, our classroom is a unique environment where participants can step away from their daily routines and explore business challenges from a multitude of perspectives.”

In line with its mission to educate responsible business leaders, CEIBS has continued to excel in the area of corporate social responsibility. The school first introduced CSR into its curriculum more than a decade ago and began publishing an annual CSR white paper in 2018.

The next GEMBA class begins on December 6, when the school will welcome over 80 high-achieving executives from 15 countries to Shanghai to launch their 20-month learning journey. Learn more about the CEIBS Global EMBA programme here.

October 20, 2020. Shanghai – The CEIBS MBA2020 Career Report was officially released today. Despite a challenging global job market due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 92.8% of CEIBS MBA2020 graduates received at least one job offer within three months following graduation. In addition, the job offer acceptance rate hit 91.4%.

During the 2019-2020 recruitment season, recruiters from over 400 companies listed over 1,000 positions on CEIBS’s Career Development Centre (CDC) job platform.

From an industry perspective, the technology sector demonstrated the greatest demand for CEIBS MBA graduates, followed by financial services, healthcare, manufacturing (industrial products), consulting, real estate and retail industries. Technology continues to be the top sector hiring for CEIBS MBAs for two years in a row now.

15.4% of the cohort landed jobs in overseas markets, an increase in the number from last year. Amongst international students who accepted job offers, 82.6% decided to pursue their careers in Asia after graduation, with 56.5% finding employment in mainland China.

One important continuing trend is the increase in demand from local Chinese enterprises for MBA students – both Chinese and international – to support their domestic and overseas growth. Nearly half of our MBA2020 graduates joined Chinese companies.

Many high profile domestic and foreign companies also continued to recruit CEIBS MBAs, adding on to their long-standing corporate relationships with CEIBS, including Alibaba, Amazon, Bayer, Budweiser, CFLD, Delta Capital, DuPont, Danaher, Intel, J.P. Morgan, JD Logistics, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Novartis, Roland Berger, Tencent, Vivo and Walmart.

For more information, check out the full version of the CEIBS MBA 2020 Career Report here.

For two consecutive years, CEIBS’ MBA programme has been ranked #5 in the Financial Times’ global MBA rankings. As the first of its kind in mainland China, the CEIBS Career Development Centre continues to focus on working with recruiters and the business community as a whole, both to meet their key talent development needs and to build platforms and initiatives to effectively anticipate and address critical business issues.

The CEIBS MBA 2020-2021 recruitment season has also officially launched. Employers are welcome to contact the CDC to recruit talent and explore other co-operation opportunities. Please call +86-21-2890 5142 or email cdc@ceibs.edu for details.

October 12, 2020. Shanghai & Zurich – Today marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for both 157 young professionals from 27 countries and regions - and also for CEIBS. For the first time in the school’s history, the MBA programme kicked off simultaneously from two global locations – the flagship campus in Shanghai and the European campus in Zurich.

Ahead of their 16-month journey, CEIBS Vice President and Dean Yuan Ding addressed the students with some special opening remarks.

"Finally we made it. It has not been an easy year, but I’m honoured to welcome you today and proud of the history we have already made together with our combined proactive efforts,” he said. “Preserving our international diversity whilst prioritising student safety has led us to this historic twin-city opening. I look forward to meeting our Zurich section in person very soon and wish you all the best of luck on your exceptional CEIBS journeys ahead."

Assistant Professor of Management Byron Lee then took to the stage in Zurich to speak on behalf of CEIBS faculty.

“As today is also Thanksgiving Day in Canada, I’d like to thank you all for entrusting us with the privilege and opportunity to help you along this journey,” he said. “People often ask me about the drivers of China’s success and I’ll share them with you today as I believe these three points can help you to navigate your own successful development. Firstly, embrace and adapt to the inevitability of change. Secondly, rise to the challenge. And, thirdly, care for and support your community – don't let distance be a barrier for strengthening your connections.”

Following Prof. Lee, CEIBS MBA Administration Director Michelle Zhu and Zurich Campus CEO Dr. Robert Straw took to the stage in Shanghai and Zurich, respectively, to share a few words on the historic twin-city opening.

“Outside our auditorium here we have 25 degrees of sunshine, whilst in Zurich I can almost feel the chilly morning breeze. Regardless of location, we are all here today to warmly welcome you to CEIBS,” Michelle said.

“In the weeks and months that have led up to today, I have often spoken about the VUCA-ness of this unique time for MBA students. Those who embrace this will master the future. You are pioneers – we are family,” Dr. Straw said.

In keeping with tradition from previous MBA Opening Ceremonies, a student from the previous class was also welcomed to share their reflections from the journey. CEIBS MBA 2021’s Echo Jin pushed back her own on-boarding date at Danaher to join today’s celebration.

“I’d like to share three reflections from my journey through CEIBS,” she said, “Firstly, be determined to achieve your goal. Secondly, be brave and lead the change. And, thirdly, CEIBS is a collective community, be grateful for your seat and contribute for the benefit others.”

The MBA Class of 2022 also heard from a student representative of their own, Pablo Pinos from the Zurich section.

“I’m honoured to represent my fellow classmates here today. As section representative, I have gotten to know many of you over the previous weeks and am excited to start this journey together with you, one that will propel us into the next stage of our lives,” said Pablo. “CEIBS will give us the tools, the alumni and leadership have given us the platforms in Zurich and in Shanghai, and now it is our turn to achieve our own transformations.”

As the opening ceremony came to an end, CEIBS Associate Dean and MBA Director Professor Shameen Prashantham reflected on his own experience through business school and journey to CEIBS.

“Be proactive and good things will happen,” he said. “Either this will lead to opportunities or moments of self-awareness.”

After saying digital goodbyes to their counterparts in Zurich and Shanghai, students continued to network with their new peers over a cocktail celebration in Shanghai and hiking up the Swiss Alps in Switzerland.

For more information about the CEIBS MBA programme, please visit our programme introduction page here.