A culture of excellence
At its core, CEIBS embodies a culture of excellence. As a well-respected business school in Asia and globally, the institution places high expectations on its students and faculty. Its commitment is even reflected in the school’s motto: “China Depth, Global Breadth”. Through its Full-time MBA program and other business courses, it aims to equip leaders with the skills to navigate international environments as well as China’s business market.
“Many of the Western ideals of conflict management, leadership, and teamwork are non-applicable in Chinese teams,” says CEIBS MBA alumnus Patrick Harris about the importance of understanding the local ways. “A results-driven, no-nonsense go-getter will need to give due consideration to the deepest of meaning behind each piece of assessment, which may be time consuming.”
As a result of this ambitious promise, the MBA program’s organizational culture is demanding yet supportive. Students quickly find themselves stretching beyond their comfort zones and growing through this experience. “However you cut it, moving to China and attending CEIBS has been a highly rewarding and equally challenging endeavor,” Patrick Harris adds.
Global mindset with local expertise
One of CEIBS’ most defining cultural aspects is precisely its integration of Eastern and Western business principles. Since it originated as a joint venture between the Chinese government and the European Union, students at CEIBS can glean both global and local insights.
MBA participants will find courses that explore topics like international strategy and cross-cultural management alongside those on the nuances of doing business in China, such as government relations and consumer behavior in a Chinese context. For example, the Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management course discusses “management styles within traditional Chinese firms versus [multinational corporations]” and teaches students to “show sensitivity to cultural differences in communication and organizational behavior”.
This balance shapes students into professionals who are both globally savvy and regionally adept.
Collaboration over competition
At CEIBS, there is an overall culture of collaboration. While MBA candidates may sometimes hear of programs with reputations for fostering cutthroat environments, CEIBS emphasizes teamwork and mutual growth.
Study groups are one of the ways Full-time MBAs learn and cooperate. They form diverse teams to tackle case studies and projects, which gives them an opportunity to hear from peers with different professional backgrounds and cultural perspectives. “My teammates in the Term 1 and Term 2 study groups, the consulting competition, the ICSP group, and the elective team really helped me. They were all great team members and gave me a lot of feedback and support,” agrees Yuta Tamagawa, MBA Class of 2025.
The focus on collaboration extends beyond class. Extracurricular clubs and alumni networking events provide additional opportunities to build relationships in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
Entrepreneurial spirit
For MBA students interested in starting or scaling businesses, the school offers several resources, including its Entrepreneurial Leadership Camp and the CEIBS MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation Club. Entrepreneurship forms an important part of the curriculum, but it’s also linked to the school’s ethos and overall culture – students are encouraged to take risks, think creatively, and drive meaningful change.
This mindset aligns with the broader culture of entrepreneurship in China, where technological advances are constant. With access to cutting-edge industries such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and green technology, CEIBS participants are immersed in an ecosystem that thrives on innovation.
Commitment to lifelong learning
To be able to thrive, a culture of entrepreneurship and creativity has to go hand in hand with a lifelong learning mindset and strategy. Both require continuous curiosity and the ability to embrace change. At CEIBS, this connection comes through in the way the school encourages students and alumni to engage with new ideas, refine their skills, and pursue innovative ventures.
“When everything is in flux, I believe that’s a good time to change up your way of thinking, to review your approach to business, leadership, your industry, everything,” says Jacquelien Postigo Brussee, who was part of the CEIBS Global EMBA 2020 cohort, and adds: “It’s important to me for my children to see that I’m still learning, because I want them to understand that learning is a lifelong commitment.”
Moreover, the community of the Full-time MBA program doesn’t just end at graduation. Alumni are an integral part of the school’s identity – they have access to continued learning opportunities, global networking events, and career services. The school’s alumni network is one of the most active and influential in Asia, connecting graduates with opportunities worldwide.
For those seeking a transformative journey that combines excellence, collaboration, and a deep dive into one of the world’s most vibrant economies, CEIBS offers a compelling choice.
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