You are here: Home > China > Nation

Joint plan aims to boost MBA programs in W. China

By Xu Lin: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 30, 2011

Adjust font size:

An MBA education program jointly launched by Singapore's Temasek Foundation and the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee (CNMESC) in Beijing on Thursday aims to raise the standard of business schools at universities in western China.

The launching ceremony of the China MBA Schools Dean and Faculty Capacity Building Program Phase Ⅱ in Beijing on September 29, 2011. [Photo by Xu Lin / China.org.cn]

According to Zhao Chunjun, vice director of CNMESC, the program seeks to establish one-to-one partnerships between business schools at universities in eastern and western China. Five of China's leading public universities, along with two from Singapore, will cooperate with 15 universities in western China, helping them improve the quality of their MBA education, as well as exchanging experience. Within the next three years, 165 Chinese professors and teachers will be trained in the leading universities in China and Singapore.

Temasek Foundation has decided to provide 9.6 million yuan (US$1.5 million) in funding to support the program. Wu Yuqin, chairman of Temasek Foundation, said that in terms of MBA programs, universities in eastern China have a much higher public profile, whereas universities in western China are only now gaining more recognition. "Located far away from China's business centers, western universities need upgrading, and it's necessary to give them a helping hand," Wu said.

Stanley Lee, director of programs & partnerships of the foundation, stressed the concept of "sharing" among the universities. He revealed that Singaporean professors will also come to China to share their expertise with Chinese university staff as well as to co-develop the MBA program.

Zhao added that, in addition to Temasek's support, additional funds will be offered, including 3.6 million yuan (US$ 562,644) from the Western China Human Resources Development Foundation (WCHRDF) and 6 million yuan (US$937,735) from benefiting universities.

Zhao pointed out that this is the second joint program on MBA education between the two organizations. In the first program launched three years ago, the five top universities established partnerships with nine western universities. With funding of 12.6 million yuan (US$2.5 million) from Temasek Foundation, a total of 145 deans, professors and teachers were trained. Their improvements were highly praised by students, and the number of applicants and subsequent recruitment for MBA courses has increased by at least 30 percent.

Temasek Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organization established by Temasek Holdings, Singapore. It aims to contribute to improving education, healthcare, technical and governance levels in Asia, as well as improving standards in disaster prevention.

1 2 3 4 5 Next