Business schools in China are aiming to expand their global recruitment by leveraging economic trends, advancing cross-cultural awareness, and building stronger brands.
In recent years, Chinese enterprises have significantly enhanced the influence of their local brands through continuous industrial upgrading and technological innovation. After gaining and consolidating the domestic market, Chinese enterprises have embarked on a journey of “going global” as a necessary path to enlarge market share, build global brands, and increase the demand for global talent.
However, they also face the challenge of planning and deploying cross-cultural and cross-regional business talent strategies against the backdrop of globalization. Chinese business schools, playing a pivotal role in industry research and the cultivation of business professionals, are leveraging their institutional advantages and expertise to support Chinese enterprises' international expansion endeavors.
1. Cultivating global competence to serve new trends in the global economy
New Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms and tech giants such as Shein, Temu, or Shopee have swiftly infiltrated global markets, especially in South and East Asia. As China's cross-border e-commerce and service trade delve deeper into overseas markets, safeguarding talent strategies for Chinese enterprises and actively engaging in the internationalization endeavor have emerged as pivotal objectives for Chinese business schools.
Illustrating this strategic approach is the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University. At Tsinghua they are leveraging the institution's formidable edge in technological innovation and extensive pool of learning resources, which helps them remain abreast of evolving business landscapes. It seamlessly integrates the exploration of digitalization and technology, collaborating with industry giants such as ByteDance, Tencent, and Microsoft, which has helped the program pioneer novel courses centered on technology, digital economy, and digital empowerment.
Tsinghua's approach aims to nurture versatile high-end management professionals equipped with global acumen, poised to effectively navigate the shifting tides of global technology and economy.
2. Nurturing internationally minded student leaders with cross-cultural awareness
Beyond MBA education, Chinese business schools are setting their sights on undergraduate students interested in furthering their business acumen. The "Future Leaders" program, initiated by Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, has partnered with 15 top business schools worldwide.
Exceptional Chinese students admitted to the program will join forces with talented youth from various countries selected by partner institutions. Through a multicultural environment cultivated by the program and a curriculum integrating theoretical and practical understandings of China, delivered entirely in English, participants deep dive into comprehending China and the world.
Students gain indispensable international perspectives, empathy, a spirit of openness, and the ability for problem solving from different angles—all essential qualities for future leaders.
3. Building the "Study in China" brand to attract global GME applicants
Six top Chinese business schools—Fudan University School of Management, Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, Renmin University at China School of Business, School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Antai College of Economics & Management, and Zhejiang University School of Management—have jointly launched the Study in China project in collaboration with GMAC and BusinessBecause. This initiative aims to establish connections with China for overseas students and provide rich information about China's business education and business schools to talent worldwide.
”Through this project, we hope to deepen global students' understanding of Chinese business education and let them experience the rigorous academic style, innovative spirit, and international perspective of Tsinghua MBA.,” said Ma Jia, the director of the MBA Education Center at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management. “We look forward to attracting more outstanding students from around the world to come to China, immerse themselves in learning, experience Chinese business knowledge, and cultivate high-level management talents with global perspectives and international competence for the world."
As China continuously strengthens the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, the country’s business schools are actively implementing crucial strategies to promote the mutual convergence and integration of talent, business, and technology. China's internationalization requires not only local talent but also internationally experienced professionals familiar with overseas markets. Collaboration among business school students and graduates lays the groundwork for the globalization of Chinese enterprises and enhances their international competitiveness.
