Du Daoming, European Dean of China Europe International Business School- Economic prosperity and healthy competition have pushed up the international rankings of Asian business schools

In a recent interview, Dominique Turpin, the European Dean of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), highlighted the rising international rankings of Asian business schools in recent years, attributing this growth to economic prosperity and increased healthy competition.

On October 14, the Financial Times released its list of the top 100 global EMBA programs for 2024, where CEIBS’s Global EMBA (GEMBA) program claimed the top spot, marking the best performance by a business school in mainland China.

During the interview, Turpin emphasized that the school’s pursuit of a “deep understanding of China and a broad global perspective” has been crucial in achieving this milestone. The school brings together students and professors from all over the world, providing a valuable window into China for the international community while also expanding the global outlook of its Chinese entrepreneur students.

He remarked on the significant transformation China has undergone. Compared to when he first taught management courses in China in 1991, the business landscape has shifted dramatically. Back then, students would ask, “Why must companies be profitable?” — a question that seems almost obsolete today. The maturity in thinking and the economic development that have taken place are striking. Nowadays, entrepreneurs are increasingly focused on strategies for success in both domestic and international markets, with a growing emphasis on expanding into overseas territories.

Turpin noted that the international rankings of business schools across Asia, including those in China, have steadily improved in recent years. He cited economic prosperity and heightened competition as key factors for this trend. When the economy thrives, business activities flourish, leading to a pressing demand for talent—this is the first reason. The second reason is the presence of numerous business schools in Asia, fostering healthy competition. Institutions like Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University are engaged in vigorous competition regarding teaching concepts, the caliber of student recruitment, and course development—this competitive spirit is, in many ways, beneficial.

He also pointed out that the current international landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes, with a rapid shift in global dynamics and an increase in instability and uncertainty. This calls for enhanced international communication and collaboration, encouraging people to unite toward common goals and work collaboratively.