PKU Belt & Road Institute launches “Future Leaders” International Undergraduate Program
May 08, 2019
Peking University, May 7, 2019: The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing from April 25 to 27. On this occasion, Peking University Belt & Road Institute invited 11 business schools on April 26 for a joint inauguration of the “Future Leaders” International Undergraduate Program at Guanghua School of Management. The consortium of the program includes Bocconi University (Italy), Erasmus University’s Rotterdam School of Management (Netherlands), ESSEC Business School (France), FGV-Sao Paulo (Brazil), University of Hong Kong, IE Business School (Spain), Moscow State University (Russia), National University of Singapore, York University’s Schulich School of Business (Canada), etc.
At the inaugural ceremony
PKU President Hao Ping and Vice President Wang Bo were present at the inaugural ceremony, and Wang delivered a welcome speech on behalf of PKU. Attendees included UNIDO Director-General Li Yong, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of MOE Liu Jin, former Chairman of Sinopec Fu Chengyu, State Council Counselor Xu Xianping, and representatives of 11 partner institutions and other guests from China and abroad. They witnessed the initiation of the international dual-degree program.
Wang Bo said in his speech that the “Future Leaders” Program echoed the initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the second Belt and Road Forum. Today, challenges are hardly resolved only by one side. Cooperation, therefore, should not be overlooked. To build an integrated and diversified world, we need different perspectives and cooperation platforms for people to communicate with one another. PKU has been committed to the formation of the integrated and diversified world, and the program could represent an innovative attempt in this regard.
Wang Bo
According to Liu Jin, the implementation of the “Future Leaders” Program shows that Peking University actively shoulders its responsibility in serving the country and society, and cultivating future international leaders. With the participation of top-tier institutions around the world, this program helps build a premium international education consortium, which will provide new ideas for the opening-up in the field of education in China’s new era.
Liu Jin
Leading in with his work experience in international organizations, Li Yong shared his observation on education in contemporary world. He attached great importance to universal education and lifelong education. Li Yong held that Belt & Road Initiative was a global initiative that can solve many global challenges, and that its future development is intimately related to future leaders. He encouraged students to participate in the initiative, “You can learn a lot about the technical basics and global situation. Above all, you can contribute to your country, and global development with your leadership.”
Li Yong
Fu Chengyu focused on the construction of Belt & Road, and held that it has achieved a lot in the past six years and can achieve more in the future. He also highlighted the significance of building an effective intergovernmental system, boosting inclusive and shared growth, strengthening the transparency of policymaking, bidding, and procurement, driving eco-friendly development, and bolstering participation of private investors.
Fu Chengyu
At the launch event, delegates from 12 partner universities, including PKU, came on the stage and jointly launched the “Future Leader” International Undergraduate Program. The impressive scene demonstrated a win-win educational cooperation between China and its foreign partners.
Dean of Guanghua School of Management Liu Qiao introduced the mission, vision, and latest development of the program. He encouraged prospective students to apply for the program, since the first enrollment was currently underway. This program will see students from 14 top-tier international business school partners around the world spend the first two years of their undergraduate education at their home university and join the Guanghua School of Management for their third and fourth years of study. The first cohort of international students will arrive in Beijing in Fall 2020.
Liu Qiao
Panel discussion
This forward-thinking program, which is grounded in the rich history of Peking University and capitalizes on the strengths of the Guanghua School of Management, will establish an international consortium of elite institutions of higher education to offer students a unique dual-degree opportunity at the undergraduate level. This program will see students from 14 top-tier international business school partners around the world spend the first two years of their undergraduate education at their home university and join the Guanghua School of Management for their third and fourth years of study. The first cohort of international students will arrive in Beijing in Fall 2020. The program is aimed at developing future global leaders equipped with an intimate understanding of China who can help navigate inter-country exchanges created through the Belt and Road Initiative and will prepare students for the new wave of globalization.
About the Belt & Road Institute
On April 20, 2018, Peking University announced the creation of the Belt & Road Institute through the Guanghua School of Management to further the BRI’s efforts to promote human progress, drive inclusive economic growth, and create solutions to global challenges. The founding of the Institute also coincided with Peking University’s 120th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. The Institute has already hosted several high-profile programs and events, including the Executive Program for Senior Diplomats and the “Understanding China and the Belt & Road” Lecture Series, among others.
Written by: Harper Lee
Edited by: Huang Yadan
Source: Guanghua School of Management (Chinese)
