Peking University, May 28, 2025: Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management convened a prestigious gathering of global academic leaders on May 24, marking the dual celebration of Guanghua’s 40th anniversary and the 5th anniversary of its groundbreaking Future Leaders Program. The event brought together deans and senior representatives from over 16 world-renowned business schools and culminated in the signing of a joint “Consensus on the Future of Business Education,” setting a collaborative vision for the future of global management education. 

The forum opened with remarks from Shen Qiaowei, Associate Dean of Guanghua School of Management, who welcomed the distinguished deans, alumni, and guests. Liu Qiao delivered a keynote address highlighting the transformative journey of Guanghua over four decades and addressing the urgent challenges facing global business education — from AI disruption and shifting employment landscapes to climate change and global economic fragmentation. 

“Business education is at a crossroads,” Liu stated. “We must prepare our students not just with technical skills, but with imagination, values, and the courage to tackle complex societal problems. It’s time to reimagine the role of business schools.”


Following the keynote, the forum featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Zhang Ying, Associate Dean of Guanghua School of Management. Deans and senior leaders from 16 top business schools across Asia, Europe, and the Americas explored how global business education must respond to emerging trends — including digital disruption, climate risk, and evolving workforce demands. Panelists emphasized the need for business schools to move beyond job-market preparation and instead cultivate ethical leadership, global inclusivity, and a focus on creating long-term, meaningful value.


During the forum, participants also reaffirmed their commitment to global collaboration through the signing of the Consensus on the Future of Business Education. The statement outlines shared priorities for future curricula, including interdisciplinary learning, AI readiness, sustainability, and cultivating global citizenship.



The celebration also honored the success of the Future Leaders Program, Guanghua’s flagship undergraduate initiative that brings together elite students from over 15 global partner institutions for a unique two-plus-two academic structure. Students spend two years at their home universities before completing their degree at Peking University, gaining deep exposure to Chinese markets, culture, and business practice.

Since its launch in 2019, the Future Leaders Program has attracted students from more than 30 countries and helped place graduates into top-tier global institutions and firms. “This program is not just an academic experiment — it's a transformative experience,” said a participating alumna via a heartfelt video message.


Looking ahead, Guanghua is actively expanding the Future Leaders network with new partnerships in the UK, Mexico, Indonesia, and beyond. At the heart of this growth is the mission to develop global leaders with deep China expertise and a commitment to positive social change, preparing students to address critical challenges and create lasting impact worldwide.

Panelists include:

· Cai Hongbin, Dean

Business School, The University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR)

· Didi Achjari, Dean

Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)

· Emi Osono, Dean

Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University (Japan)

· Joan Rodon, Dean

ESADE Business School (Spain)

· Davide Ravasi, Dean

School of Management, University College London (United Kingdom)

· Detlev Zwick, Dean

Schulich School of Business, York University (Canada)

· Liu Qiao, Dean

Peking University Guanghua School of Management (China)

· Francesco Saita, Dean for International Affairs

Bocconi University (Italy)

· Henry Bradford, Vice Dean

IE Business School, IE University (Spain)

· Hongsuk Yang, Associate Dean

Business School, Seoul National University (South Korea)

· Susan See Tho, Assistant Dean

Business School, National University of Singapore (Singapore)

· Wilfred Mijnhardt, Policy Director General

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Netherlands)

· Wei Wang, Asian Academic Advisor

Smith School of Business, Queen’s University (Canada)

· Daphne Lui, Academic Director for the Global BBA in Singapore Campus

ESSEC Business School (France)

· Keisuke Otsu, Chairperson of Global Education

Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University (Japan)

· Katharina Droeghoff, Manager, International Affairs, Double Degrees & Study Options

Business School, University of Mannheim (Germany)

Source: PKU Guanghua School of Management