October 10, 2022. Shanghai – The opening ceremony for the CEIBS MBA Class of 2024 was held today, with our Shanghai Campus playing host to 120 students from 14 countries as they commenced their journey towards mastering business administration. 

After a brief welcome from MBA Programme Director and Professor of International Business and Strategy Shameen Prashantham, the ceremony was officially opened by CEIBS President Wang Hong and President (European) Dominique Turpin. 

“Welcome to CEIBS. We hope that during your time here you will focus not only on knowledge acquisition, but also on Chinese business practices, future trends, rigorous study and, of course, your social responsibilities. Take the time to look inwards and reflect, venture outwards and seek the unknown, and challenge yourself to explore the infinite possibilities that exist between you and the world,” Prof. Wang said. 

CEIBS President Wang Hong offers some opening remarks during the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

“Our MBA programme is designed to help future business leaders like you to gain a better interdisciplinary perspective. We also hope to sharpen your innovative thinking, keep you abreast of global changes and help you grasp new business opportunities that the new world is creating for us,” Prof. Turpin said in a pre-recorded message. 

CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin speaks in a pre-recorded message during the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

CEIBS Assistant Professor of Strategy and International Business Richard Carney then spoke on behalf of CEIBS faculty to share why curiosity, humility and resilience should guide the school’s newest MBAs on their journey ahead.   

“Curiosity is vital for success in a knowledge economy. Remember, people from other cultures often hold the keys to unlocking the true potential of new opportunities,” Prof. Carney said. 

“Warren Buffett is widely noted for his humility, and this character trait has guided his incredible investing career, including the purchase of a 10% stake in BYD back in 2008,” he added. 

CEIBS Assistant Professor of Strategy and International Business Richard Carney addresses the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

“Finally, we come to resilience. When confronted with [tighter policies around online education], rather than laying off workers and returning to his hometown, Yu Minhong, founder of English-language training giant New Oriental, transformed his business from teaching to selling agricultural products online with amazing success,” Prof. Carney said. 

In keeping with school tradition, a student from the previous class was also welcomed to share her reflections from the journey. MBA 2023’s Karen Xi told the newly enrolled students about the culture of collaboration, not competition, at CEIBS. 

“What I love about my batch is that from the very beginning, most of us tried to build a genuine community within the CEIBS MBA. This meant working on case readings together and reminding each other about assignment deadlines,” Karen recalled.

MBA 2023’s Karen Xi shares her reflections with newly-enrolled students during the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

“As a result, I sincerely believe that we have forged close bonds that will stay with us long after our graduation in April of next year. All of this would not have been possible if we saw each other as competition instead of colleagues and classmates,” she said. 

The MBA Class of 2024 also heard from one of their own student representatives. Haoran Lv took to the stage to suggest three ways his peers could practice innovation over the course of the programme. 

MBA Class of 2024 student representative Haoran Lv offers advice to his peers during the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

“First, we should look to innovate ourselves; challenging previous ways of thinking, learning fresh methodology and finding the right direction in life. Second, we should innovate with others to broaden our horizons beyond our own cultures; collaborating, sharing ideas and challenging each other with different perspectives. Third, upon graduation, we must aim to innovate within the society; stepping up to take on leadership roles within a corporate environment or even starting something new,” he said. 

Leading the closing remarks, CEIBS Administration Director of the MBA Programme Michelle Zhu set the tone for the journey ahead by sharing her advice with the students. 

“If you reach out to those who are different from you, step out of your comfort zone and remain open to making more meaningful connections, you never know what kind of surprises and results you will gain later in life,” she said. 

 CEIBS Administration Director of the MBA Programme Michelle Zhu talks during the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

Finally, Prof. Prashantham returned to the stage to deliver some final remarks, before inviting students to continue the first chapter of their MBA journeys at the welcome cocktail reception. 

“You’ve heard today from many speakers about the journey you are embarking on. Prof. Wang shared some thoughts about the excellent institution that will be home for your journey over the next 12-16 months. Prof. Turpin shared how sometimes the journey will not be straightforward. From student representatives, you have also heard about the importance of engaging with each other, pulling together, and leveraging opportunities,” Prof. Prashantham said. 

“Fast forward to one day in spring 2024 where we will all meet again in this room. Whatever happens on your journeys between now and then, please remember that you have the best wishes and support from all of us,” he added. 

CEIBS MBA Programme Director and Professor of International Business and Strategy Shameen Prashantham gives some final remarks during the MBA Class of 2024 Opening Ceremony

About CEIBS MBA 

The full-time English-language CEIBS MBA programme is an intensive 12- or 16-month journey combining academic rigor, experiential projects and personal transformation. Designed with the school’s motto of ‘China Depth, Global Breadth’ in mind, students build on business fundamentals before taking deep dives into electives on digital business, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing and more. 

Our MBA Class of 2025 (starting in August 2023) is now open for applications. In the VUCA era, CEIBS welcomes candidates who have demonstrated the resilience, courage and growth mind-set required to venture into a changing world. For more information about the programme, click here. 

Writer: James Kent    Editor: Effy He and Michael Thede

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